Rise Above Dementia Education & Support, LLC

There has been some restructuring around here! At this time, Rise Above Dementia has made the decision to convert to a non-profit/volunteer organization! What has changed? Not much, just that we are a dementia education organization that operates on a volunteer basis. The only thing we ask is to still request an appointment time so we can serve you best!

The Alzheimer's Association is also hosting a Rural Caregiving Telemedicine Program on 10/22 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm ET virtually. The program is called Dementia Care: How to Receive and Provide Quality Care for Your Loved One with Memory and Thinking Problems.

https://www.alz.org/kyin/helping_you/education_programs ⬅️⬅️Follow the link to register today!✅

Education Programs Get information and resources for Alzheimer's and other dementias from the Alzheimer's Association.

If you are in Ky, the Alzheimer's Association will be hosting several community webinars in October. Go to https://www.alz.org/kyin/helping_you/education_programs to register today.
10/01: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's @ 2:00 pm ET.
10/06: Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia @ 2:00 pm ET. 10/15: Understanding & Responding to Dementia Related Behavior @ 5:00 pm ET.
10/17: Dementia Conversations: Driving, Dr Visits, Legal & Financial Planning @ 3:00 pm ET.
10/20: Legal and Financial Planning Part 1 @ 12:00 pm ET.
10/22: Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia @ 11:00 am ET. 10/27: Legal and Financial Planning Part 2 @ 12:00 pm ET.

Education Programs Get information and resources for Alzheimer's and other dementias from the Alzheimer's Association.

According to this article from the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the prevalence of depression in dementias ranges between 9-68%.

The complex relationship between depression and dementia Dementia and depression are mental health problems that are commonly encountered in neuropsychiatric practice in the elderly. Approximately, half of the patients with late-onset depression have cognitive impairment. The prevalence of depression in dementias ...

Older people with early, asymptomatic Alzheimer's at risk of falls: Even without cognitive problems, those with Alzheimer's-related brain damage at increased risk of falls Older people without cognitive problems who experience a fall may have undetected neurodegeneration in their brains that puts them at high risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia, according to a new study.

We have to figure a way to keep our loved ones safe while also meeting their needs for social interaction.

Pandemic isolation has killed thousands of Alzheimer’s patients while families watch from afar Alzheimer's and dementia have killed 13,200 more people than expected during pandemic. Doctors believe isolation has caused widespread deterioration. From the doorway of nursing home, one man fights to save his wife.

Diet, exercise, don't smoke or stop smoking, and get plenty of sleep!

How to reduce your risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease Neurosurgery physician uses Healthy Aging Month as a time to start conversation on brain health

This month, we recognize the over 40 million lives that are directly affected by Alzheimer’s or a related form of dementia. At Trilogy, we’re proud to celebrate their stories by honoring their pasts – all while filling their lives with love and support. Click here to learn more: https://www.trilogyhs.com/memory-care

Here's a little humor for you. Remember, just because dementia and Alzheimer's is serious, doesn't mean we have to be serious all the time 😉💜

Does your loved one often say "I want to go home"? It's not that they don't feel safe with you. The memories of now are disappearing. The memories of "home", that safe space with no confusion, no fear, lives. Be there with them. Try to redirect the behavior. Ask to describe the home. Go for a walk with them (if it's safe). Say to them: "Let's grab your coat first," then change the subject as you're going to get the coat. "Hey, I'm kind of hungry. Do you want to get a snack with me? Let's go make (a favorite food of theirs)." This may or may not work. It's all about finding what works for that person in that moment. 💜

Do you remember a time when as maybe a teenager you were at a doctor's office with your parent and you were being discussed like you weren't there? Remember that feeling...that's what someone with dementia can experience daily.💜

Did you know Alzheimer's was first described by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906 as a "peculiar disease"? He had a patient that had profound memory loss, unfounded suspicions about her family, and other worsening psychological changes. During her autopsy, Dr. Alzheimer noted dramatic shrinkage of her brain and abnormal deposits in and around nerve cells. The disease wasn't officially named until 1910 by a German psychiatrist named Emil Kraepelin.

If you have a direct relative (i.e., parent, sibling) with Alzheimer's disease, your risk of developing the disease is doubled.

If anyone knows where we could purchase a large quantity of yard flamingos that don't cost an arm and a leg, or if you have some you would like to donate :) please send me a message! Thanks!

Kentucky’s Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living is broken down into regional agencies as well. Here is a color coded map of each agency by county. Contact information for each regional office can be found at https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/Pages/aaail.aspx

Many of our loved ones with (and without) dementia are in long term care facilities. As we all know, Covid-19 knows no boundaries and is seemingly the hardest on our elders. That is why it is so important to protect them from this disease. This has included our facilities to have no visitors (with end of life exceptions). Coupled with this social isolation, lots of changes are occurring. These changes can (and most likely will) have an affect on our dementia residents. Here are some examples of those changes, what the response may be from the person with dementia, and some key responses we as caregivers can do for our elders.

Happy Memorial Day to all our friends and family! Let's remember this day as a day to remember and honor those who are no longer with us, those that fought and died for our country, and those who are currently fighting for our country/life/health.

Nice view during a webinar!

Here is an interesting article regarding memory complaints in older adults. The article notes it is important for general practitioners to listen to their patients when they subjectively report memory deficits. These subjective reports could (but not always) be a precursor to dementia.

Certain Memory Complaints Predict Future Dementia - Neuroscience News Subjective cognitive complaints may be the earliest detectable stages of preclinical dementia.

May is Speech Language Pathology Month! Speech Therapists do more than you might know! Have you ever heard, "Speech therapy? There's nothing wrong with how I talk!" There's a lot more to it than that! Below highlights some of SLP's roles with treating dementia patients.
Let's celebrate some special Speech Therapists in your life! Tag them below!

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What does it mean to make the walk at Trilogy Health Services? The walk is more than a celebration. More than a pat on the back for a job well done. It’s the culmination of a year's worth of hard work, of early mornings and late nights, of obstacles overcome and service delivered. We are excited to announce that our customer satisfaction scores ranked top in the company, and for this reason, WE MADE THE *VIRTUAL* WALK! Thank you to our residents and family members for your feedback. We look forward to continuing to exceed your expectations!

Diving deeper into caregiver stress:
1. Denial - "They're just getting older, it's not that big of a deal."
2. Anger - Anger or frustration at the person: "They know how to get dressed, why are they acting like they can't?"
3. Social Withdrawal - "I don't really care about visiting friends/family anymore."
4. Anxiety - "What happens when...?" "What about .....?"
5. Depression - "I just don't care anymore."
6. Exhaustion - "I am too tired to do this right now." This tired can be mental or physical.
7. Sleeplessness - Can be caused by never-ending list of concerns. "What if the wander out while I'm asleep?" "What if they fall?" Can also be due to the person with dementia being awake throughout the night and keeping the caregiver awake.
8. Irritability - "Leave me alone!"
9. Lack of concentration - This makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks. "I just got so busy I forgot my appointment."
10. Health Problems - "I can't remember the last time I felt good."

Are you or do you know someone caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia? Do you or someone you know experience these symptoms of caregiver stress?

We often talk about the importance of caring for our loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. But we also should talk about caring for ourselves as we care for them. Caregiver stress or burnout is a real thing. It's important that if you or someone you know experience these symptoms talk to your doctor, reach out for support, take care of yourself.

Since it's Occupational Therapy month, I want to highlight the importance of OT when working with patients with dementia. Be on the lookout for a new infographic to share! In the meantime, let's recognize some amazing OTs and COTAs in your life! We'll start:

Tiffany Wright, OT/Program Director - The Willows at Harrodsburg
Crystal Gabhart, OT - The Willows at Harrodsburg
Jessica Holt, COTA - The Willows at Harrodsburg
Jackie Rodgers, OT - Frankfort Care and Rehab
Monica Vesterfelt, COTA - Frankfort Care and Rehab
Jim Nieman, COTA - Frankfort Care and Rehab
Alex Mattingly, COTA - Frankfort Care and Rehab
Becca Allison, OT
Misty Bellis, OT - Hazard ARH Home Health
Natalie Belt, COTA - Adaptive Rehabilitation Services
Kat Olmeda, COTA
Shea Sims, OT
Christianne Janes, OT - Windsor Care Center
Mindy Stratton, COTA
Molly McCarty, COTA - Cedar Lake
Emily Hammons, OT - Emily Hammons Private Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Katrina Pitre, COTA - Ardor Health Solutions
Cindy Brewer, COTA
Travis Spurlock, OT - Encore Rehab Services
Robin Atwell, OT - Cardinal Hill

Feel free to tag any OT or COTA you know and recognize them for the awesome they are!

This is an interesting read from the perspectives of those living with dementia (article posted to Buzzfeed in 2015).

16 Things You Didn't Know Happened In Dementia You think of dementia as involving memory loss and confusion. But there's a lot more to it than that.

Happy to all the OT’s and OTA’s out there making our patients/residents lives better!

Some of you all know that I (Mandie) work at The Willows at Harrodsburg as a PTA. While I’m not currently physically there due to covid19, my heart is there with my amazing coworkers and work family!

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It's always important to engage a person with dementia in activities. To do this we encourage thinking of and using the five senses. No matter what stage of dementia a person is in, engaging the five senses can provide meaningful stimulation to their day. Now, more than ever, with it is vital to keep your loved one engaged and stimulated. Governor Andy Beshear

Have you heard Dixie Chicks song "Silent House"? If not, I suggest listening. It's a beautiful song the trio wrote about Natalie Maines' grandmother and her battle with Alzheimer's. In an article from The Boot, Natalie stated, "So this song is about that: It's okay to forget, I'll try and carry on." 💜💜

https://youtu.be/tr0RtB5li0Q

Silent House Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment Silent House · Dixie Chicks Taking The Long Way ℗ 2006 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainme...

Caring for someone with dementia can be difficult. In our trainings the first step we recommend is to CONNECT with the person. There are lots of ways to do that! Here are some ideas! Governor Andy Beshear