• Current Research

• Living with Early Stage Alzheimer's

• Managing Difficult Behaviors Without Drugs

• Influencing California Policy

• Long Term Care Public Benefits

• The Caregiver Experience: Tips from the Trenches

• Nutritional Wellness

Alzheimers Association: 1060 La Avenida, Mountain View, CA  94043

Save the Date

Senior Resource Forum 2008-Santa Clara County

Please join us for the

17th Annual
Adult Services Resource Faire
and Senior Forum On Preventing Elders Financial Exploitation

Friday Nov. 14, 2008
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Admission and parking are free, No registration required
For more information call: 408-975-4999

Or visit: www.seniorforumonline.com

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On January 20, 2009 - just a little more than five months from now - a new President of the United States will take office. No matter who you want to win the election, as supporters of the Alzheimer's Association, there is one thing on which we all agree: the next president must make the United States the world leader in Alzheimer care and research!

Please sign the Proclamation to the Next President now.

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Community Care Options

New Bedridden Regulations for RCFE
July 9, 2008

This class will cover the new licensing requirements for AB 304-Disaster & Mass casualty Plan. We will also cover the new bedridden regulations. this is a 6 hour class, 9 to 4 PM, 6 C.E.U., Crown Plaza, Foster City
1-650-570-5700
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Writing for Personal Caregivers Online

Therapeutic writing for caregivers:
 course starts June 20, 2008, and ends August 14.

 Note: This course does not substitute for professional therapy or other professional treatment or advice. Always consult a licensed professional with any medical or psychological problems. Details at: www.writingtoheal.com/caregiveronline.html.
Carol Celeste
Author, When the Old Block Chips
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Blood Tests for Alzheimer's  Disease

Determining whether mild memory problems mark the beginning of an inevitable mental decline is one of the most difficult aspects of Alzheimer's disease. researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a blood test that is a step toward giving people an answer two to six years in advance of the onset of the disease.

"Stanford/VA Aging Clinical Research Center-Spring 2008"
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10th Annual Updates on Dementia
Translating Research Into Practice

Stanford University, Dinkelspiel Audiotorium
June 4, 2008
For online registration go to: www.alz.org/norcal "professional Training" section and
click on Conferences.
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Alzheimer’s Association Day
at AT&T Park is MAY 18, 2008!

NEW REPORT! 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 10 million Baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. The 41-page 2008 Report is now free at www.alz.org (Facts and Figures).

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"Hydrating The Elderly"

From a recent Life Leger article in Elder Issues:

"Nagging your elder to drink more water is not going to solve the problem."

"To illustrate that few seem to have real solutions I have included this quote from a study of hydration in the elderly. "While the study's findings are important to basic science, they don't have any immediate practical consequences". But, there are real consequences, such as 14,000 deaths, mostly elderly, during a heat wave in France in 2003. There is evidence to suggest that more than 30 percent of older people coming into emergency rooms have a dehydration-related illness as part of their diagnoses. If "Water Pills" are part of the medication regimen you must maintain extra vigilance."

For more on hydration issues see:
http://www.medicinenet.com/dehydration/article.htm

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KQED Public TV Science program QUEST will carry a segment on Alzheimer’s, debuting April 8, at 7:30pm. First-Ever Alzheimer’s Rally – April 16th on the Capitol Steps. If you have not already signed up to join with 1,000 Alzheimer’s Advocates from throughout California, find out how. [Register by April 2 for free lunch and Rally T-Shirt.]  If you need assistance with transportation to Sacramento, the Alzheimer’s Association can help connect you.

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Spring Classic
San Jose Youth Symphony

Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 2:30PM
To Order Tickets, please go to www.sjys.org or call 408-885-9920

Adult $15.00
Senior/Student $10.00
Child (12 and under) $5.00

Senior Citizens Buy One, Get One Free!

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Just dial 211

As of June 2007 2-1-1 is serving approximately 198 million Americans, approximately 65% of the U.S. population. By the end of 2008 80% of the population is expected to have 2-1-1 access.

Yes, it is that simple, 911 for emergency, 211 for community services like these listed below. If you are not sure what services you need the counselor who answers your call will be happy to guide you after you explain the situation.

• Basic Human Needs Resource: food banks, clothing closets, shelters, rent assistance, utility assistance.

• Physical and Mental Health Resources: health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare, maternal health, Children's Health Insurance Program, medical information lines, crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention and rehabilitation.

• Employment Supports: financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance, education programs.

• Support for Older Americans and Persons with Disabilities: adult day care, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, home health care, transportation, homemaker services.

• Volunteer Opportunities and Donations

 Lifeledger Caregiving Tips: jboden@elderissues.com

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University of California Irvine,
School of Medicine Program in Geriatrics Presents:

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ELDER ABUSE: MEDICAL ASPECTS AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESPONSES

REGISTER ONLINE NOW: www.elderabuseconference.org
February 11 - 12, 2008 (ends at noon)

LOCATION: Newport Beach, Orange County, California - CME/CEU’s

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The High Cost of Prescription Drugs - CBS 60 Minutes Report on the Influence of the Pharmaceutical Lobby on Our Elected Officials - 2007

"If you have ever wondered why the cost of prescription drugs in the United States are the highest in the world or why it's illegal to import cheaper drugs from Canada or Mexico, you need look no further than the pharmaceutical lobby and its influence in Washington, D.C."

60 Minutes presents a comprehensive report called "Under the Influence" on this important issue. For those of you who may have missed this episode earlier this year, you can review the entire report at the link below:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/29/60minutes/main2625305.shtml

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American Care Manager Monthly Newsletter  30 September 2007 Edition

Senior Health: Senior Sex!!! Many people seem to think sex is for the young. A new federally funded study by the University of Chicago helps to refute this taboo. This study focused on people from the age of 57-85 years of age in the United States. This was the most comprehensive study ever done on geriatric sex to explore what happens when the lights turn out in your grandparents’ bedrooms.

The study included face-to-face interviews with 3,005 men and woman throughout the United States. The researchers also took blood, saliva, and other bodily fluid samples to test hormone levels. They also tested these senior peoples’ senses to see if they could enjoy sex. The results of the research study were very uplifting:

• 73% of the people aged 57 to 64, 53% of the people aged 63 to 75, and 26% of those aged 75 to 85 reported having sex with their partner in the previous year and the most active said they did it two to three times a month if not more.

• Women were less likely than men to be sexually active, though they also lacked a partner more than the men.

• Healthy people were twice as likely to be sexually active

• Half the people having sex reported one problem- in men 37% said erection trouble, in woman 43% said low desire and 39% said vaginal dryness.

• Of the people that have discussed the topic of sex with their doctors only 22% of men and 38% of woman have consulted their doctor after turning 50.

Sex is a very important part of any healthy relationship or in an individual desiring to have a relationship regardless of a person’s age. Problems having sex can also be a warning of other serious problems such as diabetes, infection, and cancer. If these problems go untreated many people can fall into depression and social isolation.

This subject has been taboo for a very long time. This has made it very hard for seniors to talk about this problem with each other and even more so with their doctors. Many doctors are even embarrassed to bring this subject up in consultations – in this instance, geriatric doctors should be a senior’s point of contact.

Sex needs to remain an important point of interest for anyone caring for senior people. It should be something that is encouraged and not looked upon as being taboo but rather an important aspect in the continued fulfillment of a senior’s life. ________________________________________________________

What is the Senior Companion Program?

This program is offered by Office on Aging and receives funds from the Corporation for National Service, Council on Aging of Santa Clara County and City of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services.

Independent seniors visiting frail seniors in their homes on a regular basis. Senior Companions  provide respite to family members or care givers who find it difficult to provide the level of support needed to prevent institutionalization.  Senior Companions also assist in the discharge of frail seniors from acute hospital or rehabilitation facilities to resume a greater degree of independent living.

For more information about Senior Companion Program and how to become a Senior Companion, please contact (408) 277-5506.         

About Transitions Program!

Transitions is a community service program designed to enhance the quality of life for adults, children and their families facing life-limiting illness. Services include emotional support, education and practical assistance. Individualized plan is formulated for client and their families based on specific needs. There are no fees for services provided to Transitions clients. The program utilizes trained and dedicated volunteers to provide assistance with:

• Accessing and coordinating community support services and resources

• Emotional and spiritual support

• Errands, chores, food preparation

• Transportation

• Breaks for the family, care giver

• Friendship and companionship

• Complimentary services such as art therapy, massage, nail and hair care

• Dealing with feelings of confusion regarding complex decisions and emotional issues related to the life-limiting illness

• Provide guidance in discussing your condition with your doctor and other medical professionals

• Understanding advance health care directives and how they apply to you

• Facilitating communications with you family regarding your illness
  

• More information on Hospice of the Valley

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Why Should I be Concerned about Long Term Care? 

We all know someone who is growing older and may not be able to care for themselves as well as they once could. An elder may need help to drive, cook, shower, go shopping, or follow medication directions. They may be showing marked signs of increased forgetfulness. They need Long Term Care. 

What are the options?   

Medical and non-medical support care can be brought into the home or the elder may need to move into an assisted living, skilled nursing or memory care  facility.

 How is Long Term Care Paid For?  

The cost of long term care is paid for by the elder, either with LTC insurance or from their savings, or from the proceeds from the sale of their home. In some cases, Medi-Cal pays for skilled nursing, ONLY. 

What is Long Term Care Insurance?

The new long term care policies today provide a daily benefit ( $100.00 a day or more ) for at home care support and for assisted living or skilled nursing care. This policy shares in the high cost of long term care’s rising costs. There are plans that have a return of premium, so if you do not use the benefit the money put in will be returned.

 Who Should Have Long Term Care Insurance? 

Anyone who is healthy and between ages 54 & 75 and would like to maintain their independence and have choices about their care.

E-Mail: snrcareco@aol.com

Toll Free: (866) 239-CARE