We Are Here To Support And Guide You
ADRC Monthly Newsletter
Click the link below to access the Aging and Disability Resource Center’s (ADRC) monthly newsletter to learn more about new caregivers, support groups, tips, programs, and so on.
Alzheimer's Disease Facts And Figures (2020)
This 2020 report of Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures is a statistical resource for U.S. data related to Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia.
Background and context for interpretation of the data are contained in the overview. Additional sections address prevalence, mortality, morbidity, caregiving, and use and costs of health care and services.
A Special Report examines primary care physicians’ experiences, exposure, training, and attitudes in providing dementia care and steps that can be taken to ensure their future readiness for a growing number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s and other related diseases. Click the link below for more information.
Common Over-The-Counter Natural Medications
Vitamins and Minerals & Herbals
Information provided by the Elkhorn Pharmacy
New App Developed by Dementia Australia to Track and Monitor Cognitive Changes
Dementia Australia, with the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2), Deakin University, and funding by the Australian Government, has developed a free mobile app – BrainTrack – that helps people to monitor and better understand suspected changes in their cognition over time.
Users of the app are prompted to log-in to BrainTrack monthly to provide cognitive information.
Community Heroes
Click the link below to read about how Joel Berman, a caregiver in Bayside, Wisconsin, advocated for his mother’s Alzheimer’s care by learning to navigate through the hardships of securing financial coverage for Alzheimer’s patients.
Easy DIY-Modifications For A Dementia-Friendly Home
One simple home modification that can be done to assist an individual with dementia is incorporating contrasting colors to make identifying household items against their background easier.
For instance, caregivers should consider changing the following within the patient’s home:
- Use a bold color for light switch plates to contrast against the color of the wall (this highlights the switch’s location)
- Use bold paint on handrails to better indicate their location near staircases (this encourages the individual to use the rail for support)
- Select contrasting dishware colors to help the individual during meal time (for example, use a white dinner plate with a blue coffee mug)
- Paint grab bars in the bathroom to contrast against the color of the walls
Another simple modification for caregivers to consider is using photos to label household items to serve as memory aids.
Some examples are:
- Labeling cupboard doors or dresser drawers with pictures of the items kept inside
- Placing pictures in frequently used rooms to remind the individual of an activity sequence (for example, picture aids in the bathroom can serve as reminders for things like hand-washing)
Additionally, it is also important that caregivers keep the living space uncluttered and well-lit. Clutter can be very overwhelming for individuals with dementia, so try to pare down and simplify their surroundings. Poor lighting can make navigation difficult, and may also frighten the individual, so keep frequently used spaces lit at a level that is comfortable for the individual.
This Is Me Leaflet
Those with dementia, delirium, or other communication difficulties can find changes, such as moving to an unfamiliar place or meeting new people who contribute to their care, unsettling or distressing.
This Is Me provides information about the person at the time the document is completed. It can help health and social care professionals to build a better understanding of who the person is.
This Is Me should be completed by the individual(s) who know the person best and, if possible, with the person involved. It should be updated as necessary. Click the link below to fill out and print the leaflet.
**This Is Me is NOT a medical document.**
Travelling Tips
Travelling to unfamiliar places and interacting with new people can be very overwhelming for those with dementia or other Alzheimer’s related illnesses. As the caregiver, it is important that you are prepared and ready to accommodate the individual’s needs.
Every situation requires different preparation, but here are some common ground rules to follow:
- Gather important documents: insurance cards, emergency contacts, physician’s phone numbers, list of medications, a recent photo, a summary of medical records, etc. Do NOT keep these documents with your checked-in luggage, as they can get lost.
- Gather medications by asking for refills in advance. NEVER travel with just enough, as flights can be delayed or other transportation schedules can change.
- Purchase an identity bracelet or necklace for the individual that has his/her name on it and their emergency contact.
- Ask the individual’s physician to write a note describing their condition to give to hotels or airlines in the event of an emergency.
- Notify airline attendants of the individual’s condition.
- Plan plenty of time between connecting flights.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance in case you need to change tickets or accommodations.
- Make several cards with names, addresses, and phone numbers of where you are staying each night. Put one of them in the individual’s pocket daily.
- NEVER leave the individual alone in a car, restaurant, wait line, etc., as they may wander off and become lost.
- Carry an “OCCUPIED” sign for bathroom doors, as the process can require extra time.
- You may need to bring the individual into the bathroom with you even if he/she is the opposite sex.
- If driving, stop every two hours for a break.
- Carry a change of clothes in your bag or car.
- If possible, bring someone along with you to manage things when you need a break.
- Try to maintain a schedule as closely as possible.
- Leave an itinerary with family members and keep a copy with you at all times.
Using Music To Enhance Your Life
Music is a powerful tool in so many ways. Whether you need to reduce stress, relieve loneliness, or are simply looking for a way to connect with a loved one, music can be a curative answer for the caregiver and patient. So pop in your favorite CD, find a good radio station, or pull up your favorite song online and get lost in the rhythm!