Monday, June 28, 2010

Review of Dying Patients’ Charts Identifies Need for Improvement in End-of-Life Care

Even at a hospital recognized for managing seriously ill patients, a systematic assessment of clinical measures associated with end-of-life care identified opportunities to improve treatment for those dying in the hospital, according to a report in the June 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
Medical care during the last year of life accounts for 10 percent to 12 percent of the U.S. health care budget and 27 percent of Medicare expenditures, according to background information in the article.
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Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room

Friday, June 25, 2010

Serendipity Puzzles Makes a Generous Offer, Readers Can Participate

Click Above to Listen


To read more about this generous offer -- go here.

Original content Max Wallack, the Alzheimer's Reading Room

Sunday, June 20, 2010

12 Tips for Long Distance Care Giving

I recently returned from a trip to assist my mom through surgery. In some capacity I am providing care to one parent who is local and the other who is living out of state.  Today I had a long conversation with a family member of a client we are providing homecare to that lives out of state. These recent experiences prompted me to post my tips for long distance caregiving.

By Angil Tarach-Ritchey

When I was young families lived nearby, neighbors helped and looked out for each other, and if an elderly person needed something, there were people available to help. Things are very different today. Families are spread out all over the nation, and adult children are finding their parents who live in a different state are in need of care.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Dealing with Difficult Behavior Caused by Alzheimer's and Dementia

I often get asked question about how I deal with my mother when she evidences erratic behavior.....
By Bob DeMarco

I read these six coping strategies for dementia-related behavior problems some time ago. Dr. Peter Rabins is a renowned Johns Hopkins neurologist. He touches on the following behaviors: outbursts, agitation, aggression, wandering, vocalizations, hoarding and hiding things, and inappropriate sexual behavior.



Saturday, June 12, 2010

Balance, Walking and Falling Problems Can be an Early Sign of Alzheimer's Dementia

Balance and walking problems often present before the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's or dementia...
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
When I first came to Delray Beach to take care of my mother, she was falling down all the time. Once, I found her laying in the parking lot and she could not get up. She was shaking like a leaf. Another time she fell down and broke her little finger. It took us over ten hours in the emergency room that time around. She would fall and couldn't get back up.