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Alzheimers, A Loss Of Self

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Alzheimers, A loss of self.

I dedicate this lens, to the memory of my dear mum Muriel, who passed away 6th March 2008, after 7 years with this insidious disease.
I miss you Mum
In this photograph with my mum, is my beloved dad now 81 in 2011.

My Forever Rose

My Forever RoseWhy I am here
My Forever Rose seems to take me on different journeys and I follow happily and may be sometimes unhappily along.
Forget- Me- Not is the real name of this rose,released by Alzheimers SA in 2008.Coincidentaly the same year my mother died suddenly of a heart attack, after suffering many years of Dementia.
I purchased several of these roses that year, for myself and other members of my family and all are blooming well .Naturally I had to have a photograph.It remains still to be my most favourite rose photo amongst many.

Memory loss

Not all, memory loss is Alzheimers

Normal signs of memory Loss that are not necessarily Alzheimer's Disease.
But always go for a check at your Doctors
Stress and anxiety
ADHD
Depression
Diabetes,Thyroid and lung,liver,or kidney failure.
Alcoholism
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Infections particularly Urinary Tract Infections
Drugs,prescription and over the counter.
It is estimated that by the year 2050 1 in 85 people will be stricken with this disease not a good thought but despite this using your brain and challenging your memory is the way to go, we have often heard the saying" Use it or lose it" and I believe this be true.

Simple ways, to stimulate your brain and memory.
Crosswords
Games
Computer and games
Quizzes
Reading
Cooking, using recipes
Blogging.
Word search.
Challenging yourself.
Change your usual routines even with dressing and undressing.
Use your non-dominant hand for tasks ie, brushing your teeth.
Close your eyes for different activities, now this is a real challenge.
Shop ,in a different store or start at the opposite end of the store to normal.
Change, your rooms around, a good way to de-clutter too.

Maintain healthy routines
Exercise even a short walk to the shop is better than nothing
Eat healthy OK we all like a bit of junk food now and again but try and include fruit and veg
Low fat,high fibre,cut back red meat.
Sleep get as much as you can without sleeping tablets
De stress as much as you can, sometimes easier said than done.

There is much help to be gained from many sources, books,blogs and your National Alzheimers Association.
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Alzheimers Dementia

Links to support forums.

Alzheimers Disease,remains to be a very emotional topic,even when a loved one has passed.
I write in here as I feel able.
I found for me, that forums for Alzheimers were invaluable,many times you will feel you are on your own, coping with this you are not!.
As our loved ones goes through the different stages of this disease, some new issues will confront us.To be able to interact through forums and find someone else who is or has been going through the same problem, offers great relief and of course ideas and help.
I also found I would connect with one or two people you may find more, and form email friendships, even continuing to phone conversations if you live close by one another.
Never joined a forum before? it can be daunting for some.Have a look at a few of the links here,or Google your own search. Hover for as long as you feel the need,in other words read the postings by the members and see what or who you can associate to.Now if you feel comfortable join, all should be free,I would not join one that wasn't!.
Never did I ever find a forum that I was not lovingly welcomed into.Over time you may find that you can offer the hand of friendship to some one else, who is where you are or have already been.
Go on, go take a look.

http://www.mdjunction.com/alzheimers-disease

http://forum.alzheimers.org.uk/forum.php

http://www.psychforums.com/dementia/

Link to Alzheimers United Kingdom Association

Listing for all countries,where you will find Alzheimers Associations

Listed associations are members of Alzheimer's Disease International.
http://www.alz.co.uk/associations

Alzheimers Associations, offer wonderful support and advice,not only for the Carer,family and friends but also for the person who is suffering the disease. Look here to see if there is one in your country.
You will find on-line and phone support. Reading material,which generally will be posted out to you.Books just so many out there.
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Poll Module

Alzheimers Disease.

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How I came to be a Nurse Assistant

Aged care

I have worked in aged care in Australia for 12 years. Initially,I started cooking in the kitchen a far cry from my hairdressing career. Over time and due to the residents dining room being in direct view, I became so aware of those residents with Dementia,who struggled to eat.
In those days, I call them "the good old days" although we had policies and procedures to be followed in regard to Food Safety,when the "Nurse Assistants",we call them "Personal Care Assistants" here in Australia or (PCAs),were busy and could not get back from helping other residents,I would toss off my apron and hat and sit and assist.
It became a part of my job, that I came to love most and encouraged me to go on and under take training, to be a PCA,myself.

It was also through this, that I became very curious with different behaviours of my own mother and sadly it proved to be true that she, had become another statistic of this insidious disease.
I clearly remember the day, I told mum that I was going to study so that I could help others, who would go through what she was and would go through.
I remember she was happy and full of encouragement.
I completed my certificate in September of 2007, 6 months before a heart attack would end the years of suffering for my mother.

Forever rose

A journey really

A rose from the gardenCome in and smell the roses.
I am a great lover of roses passed onto me by my mother, I cannot remember a time when she did not have roses in her garden or home.I guess my two daughters and grandaughters will say the same about me. My passion goes beyond just growing,cutting and smelling the roses they figure heavily in my photographs.
So I am a self taught photographer with much to learn,When my mum died I was lost when not at work ,with what to do with myself. I had spent so much time with dad helping and visiting when mum went into residential care. One day when walking to our local country shops I found a beading shop had opened and I wandered inside where I ended up puchasing a kit .Now I have never been craft minded, so I was amazed how easily I became a beading addict, particularly seed beading with needle and thread and I often feel mum is looking over my shoulder laughing as I hated sewing anything, where she had been an avid sewer and my grandmother a seamstress.

Links Voting (Plexo)

Alzheimers products.

I would like it if shops have some Alzheimers products to link here.
It is OK if you don't. Link any way.

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Rocklawn Arts: cool, unusual photography and design

Landscapes, abstracts, digital designs, and more o more...1 point

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LifeontheBeach: Home: Zazzle.com Store

LIFE ON THE BEACH

What is it that attracts us to the more...1 point

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Cartoon Acid: Top Zazzle Designer Art Products

Top Zazzle t-shirts, cool skateboards, and the bes more...1 point

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Signs of Heart Attack in Women Solution

Millions of woman die each year of heart attack wi more...0 points

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Butterflies Are Bloomin At Zazzle: Home: Zazzle.com Store

Butterflies Are Blooming at Zazzle Today. This is the more...0 points

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Exotic Flowering Orchids: Home: Zazzle.com Store

Exotic Flowing Orchids is the largest Orchids stor more...0 points

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Eagles Incredible Creatures: Home: Zazzle.com Store

The bald eagle is a magnificent and majestic bird. more...0 points

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Tuliptime: Home: Zazzle.com Store

Fun Tulips FactThe tulip has always been renowned more...0 points

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http://www.zazzle.com/tessiejo*

Greetings! My Zazzle site is chock full of cards i more...0 points

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ReversedDesigns: Home: Zazzle.com Store

Time to play the apexed %u042Feversed hack sawed w more...0 points

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WELCOME! PLEASE ENJOY BROWSING & BUYING FROM MY more...0 points

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Unique Absract Art Designs

Unique abract art section down the left hand side.0 points

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Kerri's House of Fractals

Interested in fractal/ abstract art? Looking for t more...0 points

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ReversedDesigns: Home: Zazzle.com Store

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Designs by Jeff Bartels: Home: Zazzle.ca Store

Artwork and Designs by Jeff Bartels0 points

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Patty's Pet Art - Gifts for the animal lover .: Home: Zazzle.com Store

Find many animal related products with the artwork more...0 points

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Pets Power Designs: Home: Zazzle.com Store

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Tickle Your Funny Bone Designs: Home: Zazzle.com Store

We've all heard that "laughter is the best me more...0 points

I would love you to sign my Guestbook

On Alzheimers and Dementia

Can I be of help with any questions?
If so please contact me.

  • RuralFrance Jul 29, 2011 @ 7:48 am | delete
    A lovely lens! My 83 year old mum loves playing computer games, the only thing that keeps her sane as she's virtually immobile now. The email is good for her too.
  • Chris-H Jul 22, 2011 @ 11:36 pm | delete
    What a beautiful tribute to a woman you clearly loved so much...

    I wrote a poem once about tossing pebbles in a pond. The pebbles were small acts of kindness.

    I could toss a pebble and I could see where it landed...

    But the ripples would travel the length and breadth of that pond. And I may never know all the places they would touch.

    Toss your pebbles.
  • naturesfun Jul 10, 2011 @ 5:31 am | delete
    Fantastic lens. The forever rose is beautiful. You are so right to emphasize brain exercises. I played scrabble everyday with my dad the last three years of his life. It helped us both so much.
  • Donding Jul 8, 2011 @ 11:32 am | delete
    This is an awful disease. My grandmother had Alzheimer when she died at age 82. By that age she didn't know who anyone was or where she was at and at times became very aggressive. She died in a nursing home. Her third husband was there with her in the nursing home in the same room always helping her, until she got to the point she didn't even know him. Now my mother was just diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer's and my step father won't admit she has a problem. He already took her off the medication they had given her and the hospital told him she needed 24/7 care. My sister went by to check on her and she was alone. Our hands are tied. We cannot get her put into a nursing home where she can get the proper care because my step father has power of attorney over her. It can really be frustrating when someone you love has this Alzheimer.
  • reasonablerobinson Jul 4, 2011 @ 12:58 pm | delete
    Very sensitive and important topic. I was shocked when an old friend of my father fell prey to this disease. I found it very hard to adjust his 'distance' and abruptness. His wife was in some sort of denial and kept saying he was just 'tired' which was very sad.
  • mazbond Jun 29, 2011 @ 6:55 am | delete
    Alzheimers is a terrible illness especially when it happens to someone you love. Thanks for the info.
  • mbrownauthor Jun 20, 2011 @ 9:06 am | delete
    I do personal care, and have had many clients in the past with Alzheimer's. My dad also suffered from some sort of dementia, but was never officially diagnosed. He completely lost his mind at the end. It's a horrible, horrible disease!
  • vallain Jun 10, 2011 @ 7:43 pm | delete
    Such a terrible illness. I so hope they find a way to prevent it and treat it soon.
  • WhiteOak50 Jun 10, 2011 @ 7:19 pm | delete
    Well, my friend I am going to have to say ditto on being lead to your page. My mother has
    Alzheimer's and I try to take care of her during the day. My father in law has this and he is becoming more lost everyday (as is my mother) My in-laws live in another state so we are called out town a lot. Thank you for writing this page, I know it was hard for you.
  • Wedding_Mom Jun 5, 2011 @ 12:41 pm | delete
    Thank so much for sharing this great information. I had a friend who has a father that has Alzheimer and I really does take a toll on the family. You did very well with this lens of yours. I hope that people will become more aware of this disease and how we can help. Great job!
  • MaxReily May 15, 2011 @ 7:35 pm | delete
    Nice lens. It's great that you've included some personal stuff about your dear mom, and some good information on Alzheimer's as well. Liked, and lensrolled to my How To Visit With An Alzheimer's Patient lens.
  • kiwinana71 May 11, 2011 @ 5:48 pm | delete
    Thanks for visiting and commenting on my lens "years gone by". You have very interesting lens also.
  • myshelle01 May 11, 2011 @ 6:09 pm | delete
    Thank you I still have a good bit of finishing to do on this lens
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myshelle01

Hello from Australia.
Where I live in the driest state on the driest continent.My profile here used to say I was a Personal Care Assistant in Aged Ca... more »

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