CONTINUED INSIDE CREATING A SAFE HOME When Dementia … · Being diagnosed with dementia is an...
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WINTER 2012 IN THIS ISSUE Door to Door for the Alzheimer Society Creating a Safe Home Upcoming Events Choosing a Personal Care Home Ask an Expert Message from the CEO L ucie Kuly began to wonder what was happening when her husband of over 40 years started changing the way he had always done things. “The first thing I really noticed was Barry’s difficulty in knowing how to get places. He always had an excellent sense of direction and suddenly he was not sure how to get to a friend’s place that we have been going to for 30 years,” explains Lucie. Lucie and Barry were worried, so they made a visit to their family doctor who sent them to a neurologist. He performed a CAT scan, an MRI and ran some blood tests. “When we met with the doctor again, he said that he didn’t see any reason to be concerned,” says Lucie. “Barry was relieved, but I knew there was still something wrong.” Even with persistence, it took the Kulys many visits to the doctor and over a year to get a proper diagnosis. Being diagnosed with dementia is an upsetting experience; however, it can also be a relief. “For us, it confirmed what was happening. We weren’t imagining things or making it up. There was no more fear of the unknown,” explains Lucie. “It was a real benefit to have him diagnosed early on in the disease.” Early diagnosis helps people get care, support and treatments faster to live better with dementia. It gives the person diagnosed an opportunity to be involved in important decisions about their future medical, financial and legal needs. “Barry was able to be involved in our decision making at a time THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS CREATING A SAFE HOME B eing safe is important to everyone; it is essential for someone with dementia as they may not recognize potential safety hazards. Assisting a family member or friend who is living with dementia by using simple and creative solutions to safety, can make a huge difference in helping them feel secure and you more relaxed. After a person is diagnosed with dementia, they may have difficulty recognizing once familiar objects, making good decisions and interpreting Lucie Kuly (left) with her husband Barry. CONTINUED INSIDE... CONTINUED INSIDE... Let’s Face It! Get the Facts. Know for Sure. When Dementia Strikes! Join the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba for this educational seminar to learn about the 10 Warning signs of dementia, the benefits of early diagnosis and how connecting to the Society can help in planning your next steps! FREE Seminar! Tuesday, January 17 at the Centro Caboto Centre 7:00pm to 8:30pm Pre-register by calling 943-6622 or email [email protected] 1055 Wilkes Avenue, Wpg, MB - Help save on postage costs. Sign-up to receive our newsletter by email, contact [email protected] Limited Seating
Transcript of CONTINUED INSIDE CREATING A SAFE HOME When Dementia … · Being diagnosed with dementia is an...
WINTER 2012
IN THIS ISSUE
Door to Door for the Alzheimer Society
Creating a Safe Home
Upcoming Events
Choosing a Personal Care Home
Ask an Expert
Message from the CEO
Lucie Kuly began to wonder what was happening when her husband of over 40 years started changing the way he had
always done things.
“The first thing I really noticed was Barry’s difficulty in knowing how to get places. He always had an excellent sense of direction and suddenly he was not sure how to get to a friend’s place that we have been going to for 30 years,” explains Lucie.
Lucie and Barry were worried, so they made a visit to their family doctor who sent them to a neurologist. He performed a CAT scan, an MRI and ran some blood tests.
“When we met with the doctor again, he said that he didn’t see any reason to be concerned,” says Lucie. “Barry was relieved, but I knew there was still something wrong.”
Even with persistence, it took the Kulys many visits to the doctor and over a year to get a proper
diagnosis. Being diagnosed with dementia is an upsetting experience; however, it can also be a relief.
“For us, it confirmed what was happening. We weren’t imagining things or making it up. There was no more fear of the unknown,” explains Lucie. “It was a real benefit to have him diagnosed early on in the disease.”
Early diagnosis helps people get care, support and treatments faster to live better with dementia. It gives the person diagnosed an opportunity to be involved in important decisions about their future medical, financial and legal needs.
“Barry was able to be involved in our decision making at a time
THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS
CREATING A SAFE HOME
Being safe is important to everyone; it is essential for someone with dementia as they may not recognize potential safety
hazards. Assisting a family member or friend who is living with dementia by using simple and creative solutions to safety, can make a huge difference in helping them feel secure and you more relaxed.
After a person is diagnosed with dementia, they may have difficulty recognizing once familiar objects, making good decisions and interpreting
Lucie Kuly (left) with her husband Barry.
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Let’s Face It! Get the Facts. Know for Sure.When Dementia Strikes!
Join the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba for this educational seminar to learn about the 10 Warning signs of dementia, the benefits of early diagnosis and how connecting to the Society can help in planning your next steps!
FREE Seminar!Tuesday, January 17
at the Centro Caboto Centre7:00pm to 8:30pm
Pre-register by calling 943-6622 or email [email protected]
1055 Wilkes Avenue, Wpg, MB -
Help save on postage costs. Sign-up to receive our newsletter by email, contact [email protected]
Limited Seating
Living With Alzheimer’s Disease - Brandon, MBFamily/Community Education Seminar on Saturday, Feb 25 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Cost $10.00 to help cover cost of materials.
Tax Credits for Caregivers - Winnipeg, MBFamily/Community Education Seminar on Wednesday, Feb 8 at Donwood Personal Care Home. Presented by Revenue Canada. There is no cost for this workshop.
DOOR TO DOOR FOR THE ALZHEIMER SOCIETY
Anne Bars started canvassing for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba around three years ago. Her mother-
in-law is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and she wanted to give back for the help they received.
“We first went to the Society for an information session to find out about Alzheimer’s and our options for my mother-in-law, and it started from there.”
Anne says that her spirit of volunteerism comes from the knowledge that at any time she or her husband might need the services offered, especially after experiencing her mother-in law’s diagnosis.
“I do it because the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba does a lot to help people who are affected by dementia. My husband and I are getting up there, so the more we can do now while we’re still able is important to me.”
The knowledge that she is providing hands on support is also a motivating factor.
“The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction you get is really something, and this is a way to provide support above and beyond donating money.”
Anne canvasses the houses in her area. While she visits fewer houses, she still manages to collect from almost every house.
“Because I’m on my own street, everybody knows me, so it’s rare people don’t give, even now in tougher times,” she says. “Also, they feel sorry for me when I’m canvassing in January because it’s so cold,” she adds jokingly.
Anne’s message to those thinking of canvassing for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba is straightforward.
“Don’t wait until your family is afflicted with Alzheimer’s; get out there and do your part, because you don’t know when you or someone in your family is going to need the services of the Society.”
A big thanks to Anne and the other volunteer canvassers who support the work of the Society. If you are interested in canvassing your neighbourhood, you can register online at www.alzheimer.mb.ca or call 943-6622.
UPCOMING EVENTS
For more information or to register for any of these events please call 943-6622 or 1-800-378-6699
or email [email protected] .
Living With Alzheimer’s Disease - Winnipeg, MBFamily/Community Education Seminar on Saturday, Jan 28 & Saturday, Feb 4 at the Alzheimer Society Provincial Office. Cost $20.00 includes refreshments and caregiver resource manual.
Dancing for Dementia - Dugald, MB Afternoon of dancing and light refreshments on Friday, Jan 6 at the Dugald Community Club featuring entertainment by “The Naturals.” Tickets $5.
Anne Bars volunteering during January Awareness Month
Carman Alzheimer Awareness Ukrainian Dinner - Carman, MB Friday, Feb 3 at the Carman Active Living Centre. Featuring live entertainment and a traditional Ukrainian dinner. $30 per guest (group tables available).
When a Door to Door volunteer knocks on your door this January, please give
generously. The funds received go directly to services and programs for
Manitobans just like you.
As you can see in the story of Lucie and Barry Kuly on page one, getting a diagnosis early in the disease
can make a positive difference in so many ways. January is Alzheimer Awareness month and this year’s theme, “Let’s Face It! Get the Facts. Know for Sure,” focuses on the benefits of early diagnosis.
I can’t stress enough the importance of making a visit to your doctor as soon as you suspect that there is something wrong. This way you will get a diagnosis as early on in the disease as possible.
We need more public awareness about the early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This way, people can get a diagnosis earlier so that they can have access to better treatment and medication, along with access to care and support. This would help improve the quality of life of the person diagnosed and their caregivers.
Stories like Lucy and Barry’s are not uncommon. After diagnosis, many
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO people are sent home without any additional help or information. Not everyone would think to make contact with the Alzheimer Society like Barry did.
That is why we are so excited that the provincial government has committed to funding the Alzheimer Society’s First Link™ program. First Link™ is a program designed to link people who are newly diagnosed and their families to the Alzheimer Society for information, support and education.
The services that the Society provides are so very important in helping Manitobans access resources and information to assist in mapping out their dementia journey. We want you to remember that you don’t have to go through this alone.
There is help available, please call.
Sylvia Furch Rothney CEO, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba
The Alzheimer Society would like to thank the Dufresne Foundation for their $10,000 grant.
THANK YOUVOLUNTEERS!
The Alzheimer Society sincerely appreciates everyone involved with the Touch Quilt Project. Thank you to all the volunteers who help by donating fabric, assembling quilt kits and completing the quilts.
A Night to Remember in
Winnipeg Gala 2012
Thursday, February 9that the Winnipeg Convention Centre
Event Sponsor
Tickets $195/person or $1,950/table of 10For tickets or for sponsorship information, call
or visit www.alzheimer.mb.ca943-6622
Brandon Gala 2012
Let the good times roll!
Wednesday, March 21at the Victoria Inn, Brandon , MBTickets $100/person or $700/table of 8
For tickets or for sponsorship information, call 204-729-8320 or visit www.alzheimer.mb.ca
CHOOSING A PERSONAL CARE HOME: What Does Good Care Look Like?
and to contact the Society to get informed. She recommends that you be proactive in the diagnosis process. Then, plan for the future and try to organize your life in a way that you can be a support and get support for yourself.
When asked how this disease has changed their lives, Lucie responds, “We enjoy the very simple things in life. Some days you have more strength than others. Take one day at a time.”
when he could still actively participate. We went to the lawyer and he was able to say, ‘I have Alzheimer’s disease and we need to make some decisions’,” says Lucie.
After Barry’s diagnosis, the Kulys were sent home from the doctor’s office with no guidance. It was only after Barry reached out for help from the Alzheimer Society that they received some direction on the next steps to take. “The Society helped us to develop a road map to follow and provided us with support along the way,” says Lucie.
Lucie’s advice to someone who is wondering if their loved one might have dementia is to find a doctor that will listen
THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS CONTINUED The October 20th event was a great success with 24 teams
participating in 10 rounds of brain bending trivia. Thanks to our teams and our sponsors, $15,000 was raised!
Your family member‘s health is changing. Memory loss has become profound. The need for assistance
with all aspects of personal care has increased greatly. As a family, you are finding yourselves less able to meet the person’s care needs. You are wondering, “Are there tips for choosing a personal care home? What does good care look like? ”
As the Canadian population ages, more families are facing this situation and asking these questions.
When choosing a personal care home it is important to involve the person who will be making the move to the greatest level possible. Think about taking the person with you to visit the sites being considered. If touring sites would be overwhelming, discuss preferences to consider when making visits.
“Before visiting, make a checklist of things you wish to note,” says Norma Kirkby, Program Director with the Alzheimer
Society of Manitoba. Ask yourself these questions: How are the staff relating to the residents at the care home? Do residents look happy and well groomed? Is there a secure area that allows people with dementia to walk freely? How is the building maintained? Do the activities at the centre reflect the cultural and faith practices of the person? Along with these questions, consider asking family members of current residents how the person and family are finding the home.
Lifelong habits remain important to everyone. Whether it is tea for breakfast or falling asleep to soft music, it is these things that help a person to feel at ease and valued. Having compassionate staff that provides personalized care using up-to-date practices is especially important. Ask about the home’s course of action concerning pain management, changes in behaviour and end of life care. A home that provides quality care also focuses on the needs of the resident’s family and intentionally includes them in the care planning process.
Choosing a personal care home is about finding a place that will attend to the health needs of the person. Even more, it is about finding a place that will concentrate on quality of life and comfort.
“WHEN CHOOSING A PERSONAL CARE HOME IT IS IMPORTANT TO INVOLVE THE
PERSON WHO WILL BE MAKING THE MOVE TO THE GREATEST
LEVEL POSSIBLE.”
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It is important to report any concerns that you may have about your partner’s changes in memory and behaviour to
your family doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will find the incidents you describe helpful when assessing possible cognitive impairment. Giving the doctor this information is not disrespectful to your partner as it will help the physician see how your partner manages daily living and give understanding of the changes that are taking place over time.
Not everyone experiences changes in their thinking, memory or abilities in the same way. Here are examples of some symptoms that you may notice and should report to your family doctor:
Changes in ability to plan and organize • daily activities.
Being easily distracted.• Losing interest in doing things once enjoyed.• Having difficulty in following a conversation with multiple • participants; not wanting to participate in group activities.Forgetting recent incidents.• Asking the same questions or repeating information over • again.Having changes in personality; making inappropriate • comments to others.Becoming suspicious of others.• Misplacing things.• Getting lost in familiar places or when driving.• Becoming careless about personal hygiene.•
“The stories people tell us give very helpful information that we provide in our reports to family doctors,” says Linda Catteeuw, Physiotherapist with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Geriatric Program Assessment Team. “It is the changes that the family has noticed over time in a person’s abilities and day to day functioning that tells us so much. Even when these changes are reported to the family physician it may take six months or longer to diagnosis a person with a form of dementia. The doctor will first want to rule out other possible causes of confusion and memory loss.”
For a copy of a more detailed checklist that can help you prepare for a visit to your family doctor, call 943-6622 and request Preparing for Your Doctor’s Visit.
ASK AN EXPERTIF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR OUR EXPERTS, PLEASE EMAIL US AT [email protected]
I am concerned about my partner who I think may be showing signs of memory loss. I am not sure what we should be reporting to the doctor as things are not too serious yet. Can you help me?
Gerry O.Winnipeg, MB
messages. They can also experience difficulty perceiving depth and may have some trouble walking. These changes will impact their safety.
So, how can caregivers increase safety in their home? Norma Kirkby, Program Director with the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba says, “Take a good look at your home from the point of view of the person with dementia. Make changes that will make it easier to find things, like placing a word or picture label on a drawer.”
Living areas, though once familiar to the person with dementia, can become unsafe.
CREATING A SAFE HOME CONTINUED
For example, in the kitchen consider replacing older appliances such as toasters and kettles with newer models that have automatic shut offs. If the person has begun leaving burners on after cooking or is forgetting items on the stove, consider turning off the electricity to the stove at the breaker panel between mealtimes.
“When making changes in the home, remember that people with dementia appreciate things being routine and familiar,” Norma Kirkby reminds. “It is important that concern for safety does not take away from a homey feeling and place undue stress on the person with dementia or their caregiver.”
For more safety tips, visit the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba’s website at www.alzheimer.mb.ca or call 943-6622.
Provincial Office
10-120 Donald StreetWinnipeg, MB R3C 4G2Phone: (204) 943-6622
Fax: (204) [email protected]
North CentralRegion Office
21 Royal Road SouthPortage la Prairie, MB R1N 1T8
Phone: (204) 239-4898Fax: (204) 239-0902
South CentralRegion Office
Box 119-204 Main StreetWinkler, MB R6W 4A4Phone: (204) 325-5634
Fax: (204) [email protected]
North EastmanRegion Office
Box 1786-Unit 6, 31 1st StreetBeausejour, MB R0E 0C0
Phone: (204) 268-4752Fax: (204) 268-4799
WestmanRegion Office
Unit 4B - 457 9th StreetBrandon, MB R7A 1K2Phone: (204) 729-8320
Fax: (204) [email protected]
Help save on postage costs. Sign-up to receive our newsletter by email, contact [email protected]
4The first Annual Care4U Conference on Saturday, October 29, 2011 was an amazing success with over 300 attendees.
A special Thank You to our Sponsors and other supporters!Event Sponsor
This year’s Coffee Break® had over 300 hosts. So far we’ve raised $58,388 and counting and are in sight
of our $65,000 goal.
Do you know that the ASM receives bequests from $500 to $250,000? We rely on bequests as they make up 21% of our budget.
Silver SponsorOther Sponsors
Supporters
Home Instead Senior CareWe Care Home Health Services All Seniors CareTache Pharmacy & Surgical SuppliesBayshore Health Care
Supper CentralRevera Inc.Peace of MindLong Term & Continuing Care Association of MB
Thank You to our Sponsors
Dementia Care2012
Winnipeg, Manitoba - March 5 & 6, 2012@ Canad Inns Polo Park
MarkYourCalendars!
For professionals caring for people with dementia
