Alzheimer's Family Service

Board of Directors

Tue, 20 May 2008 16:31:39 GMT

AFS Executive Board Chair Virginia Bunde Vice Chair Richard Gilmartin Secretary Barbara McCarren Treasurer Jeanne Demory Post, LCSW Dale O. Knee John B. Carr, Esquire AFS Board Members Lewis Bear, III Ann Brett Don Chu, PhD Linda Darden Andrea Hackel, MD Carey King Jennifer Piver Michael Martin Michael Mazenko Paula Montgomery, MD Michael Morette Katherine Murphy Ronnie Ray Adrian P. Remke Taris Savell Brett Turner, PsyD Robert E. Van Slyke Ronald Yeakle Staff Executive Director Kristina Robison, MS Client Services Coordinator Courtney Cook, BSW Administrative Assistant Lilly Rozenfeld, BA

The Caring Times

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:32:37 GMT

The newsletter of Alzheimer's Family Services

Project Lifesaver

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:01:21 GMT

Project Lifesaver is a program developed in 1999 by the 43rd Virginia Search and Rescue in Chesapeake, Virginia. Utilizing equipment developed by Care Trak, Inc., Project Lifesaver now has the ability to track Alzheimer’s patients that walk away from their home.

Participants in the program wear a small transmitter that enables them to be found quickly through the use of receivers operated by local sheriff's departments. Should the patient wander away, the caregiver notifies AFS and a search is begun immediately. Search times that have normally been as long as days can now be reduced to less than an hour.

The transmitters are provided by Alzheimer's Family Services at no cost to the participant however, there is a monthly maintenance fee. AFS will assist with the maintenance cost if a family is unable to participate due to lack of funds. This program is currently available in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Call the AFS office for more information.

Before Project Lifesaver, searches across the country were averaging 9 hours and costing axpayers approximately $1,500 per hour. Many searches actually took days, with hundreds of responders, resulting in much higher costs and many with tragic endings. One search in Chesapeake in 1979 cost the city $342,000 and was unsuccessful. The basic cost to start this program in an agency is less than $8,000, finding someone alive is priceless.

About Us

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 19:02:46 GMT

Alzheimer's Family Services, Inc. (AFS) provides support to families coping with Alzheimer's disease. As caregivers and providers themselves, AFS understands how this disease can affect a family's emotional, physical, and financial well-being. Through services, resources, and education, AFS can help provide quality care for loved ones and respite for caregivers.

Alzheimer’s Family Services is now an affiliate of Covenant Hospice, Inc., in order to provide enhanced community education, support and services for families dealing with Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Family Services, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization recognized under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code 501(c)(3). AFS serves Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties in Northwest Florida.

Alzheimer’s Family Services, Inc. provides all of its services through private donations and grants. All funds donated are tax deductible and remain in the local area.

Mission

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:42:59 GMT

The Mission of Alzheimer’s Family Services, Inc. shall be:

Extend emotional support to the caregivers of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Educate and train the Lay and Professional caregivers to Alzheimer’s patients.
Be the advocate for improved care for the Alzheimer’s patient and caregiver, both in the home environment and care facilities.
Provide current and updated knowledge and treatment information to the family of the Alzheimer’s patient.
Provide services commensurate with the capabilities of the staff and with the knowledge and approval of the Board of Directors.

Warning Signs of Alzheimers Disease

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:14:14 GMT

Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

Memory loss that affects job skills.
Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
Problems with language.
Disorientation to time and place.
Poor or decreased judgment.
Problems with abstract thinking.
Misplacing things.
Changes in mood or behavior.
Changes in personality.
Loss of initiative.

If someone has several or even most of these symptoms, it does not mean that they definitely have the disease. It does mean that they should be thoroughly examined by a medical specialist trained in evaluating memory disorders.

Understanding Alzheimers Disease

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:12:17 GMT

From Video of Life in Reverse: A Way of Understanding the Disease Alzheimer’s Of Central America newsletter of October 2002. Dr. [Barry] Riesberg, and his team of experts, also reviewed what they call, “basic human needs and desires”. These are things we take for granted when raising our children, but sadly they are often overlooked when caring for a loved one with dementia: All human beings avoid trauma and humiliation. Alzheimer’s patients may have dementia, but they are not dumb. They avoid any situation that makes them appear “stupid”. They resent being questioned, and hate it when we say “don’t you remember that?” They do whatever they can to avoid humiliation – even accusing their caregiver of stealing when they have lost or misplaced an item. Alzheimer’s patients rarely admit they are wrong. All human beings seek a sense of accomplishment. Alzheimer’s patients resent that they can no longer drive,...

Long-Distance Caregiving

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:20:35 GMT

Long-Distance Caregiving From Caring for Yourself While Caring for Your Aging Parents by Claire Berman Those faced with the challenge of long-distance caregiving find the following helpful: · Placing calls to check up on the parent and reassure themselves · Paying visits to the parent as frequently as circumstances permit · Identifying a trusted observer who will check in with the frail elder · Networking services and service providers within the parent’s community · Arranging for programs, like Meals on Wheels, to meet the older parent’s nutritional requirements · Taking advantage of family leave opportunities at work and when necessary, utilizing the services of local agencies · Employing a geriatric care manager or elder-law attorney to assess, and assist in meeting a parent’s needs · Becoming knowledgeable about the parent’s illness or disability · Offering help with financial...

Moving Your Loved One into a Care Facility

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:18:24 GMT

How to Handle Criticism from Family and Friends By Carol Simpson, At the Heart of Alzheimer’s Occasionally, other family members or friends are critical of a decision to move your loved one into a care facility. This can be frustrating, insulting, and guilt-provoking. You don’t need them to make your life any more complicated than it already is. Your first impulse may be to tell them to mind their own business. But this may alienate those very people who at other times have provided you with support and understanding. Besides, if they love the person with Alzheimer’s too, it is their business. They deserve to understand why a care facility is the best choice. To help you handle their criticism, take a deep breath and ask yourself what’s making them so critical: Have you “protected” them from the more difficult aspects of caring for your loved one? If so, they simply may not understand what has been involved. Perhaps it is time to share...

Moving Your Loved One into Your Home

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:16:31 GMT

Considerations for Moving Your Elderly Loved One into Your Home From “Caregiver News”, East Meadow, NY There are many things to consider before moving an elderly loved one into your home, including but certainly not limited to life-style changes and adjustments, role changes, and relationship changes. There are also emotional issues to consider, and these are often the most difficult. Ask yourself if you’ve had an open, honest relationship with this person; if you’ve been able to settle past differences; or are there any unresolved issues? The answers to these questions can play an important part in determining your emotional preparedness for such a move. If you are emotionally prepared, you must consider living arrangements. Ask yourself if there is enough room in your home for everyone to be comfortable; will everyone be able to have their own privacy; is the house safety-proofed; what modifications might be necessary to safeguard your loved one; can...

About Us

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:36:22 GMT

Alzheimers Family Services Site Map

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 17:39:31 GMT

The links below represent the site map and structure.

History

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:33:17 GMT

In November 1979, Dr. Wallace Mayo was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease. Mrs. Jean K. Mayo (Dr. Mayos wife) found there was no support group available for caregivers of Alzheimers patients. By 1981, she had talked to several people who were involved with Alzheimers patients. Her brother encouraged to start a support group so she found an organization willing to help take telephone calls and mail reminders for meetings. On August 19, 1981 a full-page article in the Pensacola News Journal told about a couple of local men who had recently died of Alzheimers but did not give their names. Another article included mention of a meeting for those who were interested in learning more about this affliction. Sixty-four people showed up for the meeting. Everyone has met once a month since that time. Over the years attendance averaged at 24. A lot of the time there would be three or four present whose loved one had just been diagnosed. Those attending the meetings would be caregivers, but...

Thank you for contacting Alzheimers Family Service

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:29:19 GMT

A representative will follow up with you shortly.

Support Groups

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 18:16:30 GMT

I did not really want to go to a group, but my mother was driving me crazy and so finally I went. The speaker talked about power of attorney - until then I didnt realize I had to get one to take care of my mothers property. Then, over coffee, I was talking to three other women. One of them told how her mother was hiding the silverware in the dresser. She said one day she suddenly realized it didnt matter where they kept the silverware. Up until then, I thought I was the only one dealing with things like that. I told them about my mother, and these other women understood. From The 36-Hour Day by Mace & Rabins. The purpose of a support group is to provide Alzheimers caregivers and friends with an opportunity to develop a support system of people who understand. Having a place to exchange ideas and experiences strengthens coping skills, ultimately allowing the caregiver to take better care of themselves and the person with Alzheimers disease. Support groups mean different things for...

Caregiver Advice

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 17:55:58 GMT

Do...

Keep everything as simple as possible
Expect them to ask the same questions repeatedly
Give them only simple tasks to perform
Give some relief for yourself from your caregiving duties
Hug them, hold their hand
Remember, they will follow you and want to know where you are at all times
Be gentle
Give instructions one step at a time
Ignore things the patient does which annoy you
Remain calm and pleasant
Get ample rest
Keep them occupied with simple chores
Maintain your sense of humor
Attend Support Group meetings
Consult an Attorney early in the disease to get legal affairs in order, such as: power of attorney, living will, health care surrogate, wills or asset allocation

Don't...

Expect the answers to your questions to be accurate
Get irritated when they ask the same questions over and over
Give them instructions or directions and expect them to be carried out perfectly
Fuss at them
Give them too much responsibility
Expect them to identify certain words, names, things, etc.
Take the patient's behavior personally
Scold them or argue with them
Try to do it all yourself
Give them a choice-it is too confusing
Get upset
Raise your voice

About Alzheimers Disease

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 17:53:08 GMT

Alzheimer's disease is named for its discoverer, Alois Alzheimer. Alzheimer, a German psychologist and neuropathologist, discovered the disorder in 1906 and publicized his findings in 1907.

An estimated 5 million Americans suffer from this progressive, debilitating and eventually fatal illness of the neurosystem.

Alzheimer's disease can affect people in their late 40s and 50s but is more common in those 65 and older. Approximately one-half of all nursing home patients have Alzheimer's disease. It strikes without regard to sex, race, social, economic status, or occupation. At this time, researchers are still looking for the cause, treatment, and cure of Alzheimer's disease.

Companion Program

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 17:34:22 GMT

Iris B. Miller Companion Program The Iris B. Miller Companion Program is made possible through a private donation. The program is designed to provide respite care for caregivers of Alzheimers patients in their homes. This program needs YOU, the volunteer, to make the program a success. The degree of relief we can provide will depend on the amount of time our volunteers are willing to give. This program will be based on need and not on ability to pay. All companions will be trained at no cost to the volunteer. You only have to have a few hours and a caring heart that you are willing to share. We do ask companions to provide their own transportation. Companions will be matched to the patients based on personalities, location, and other factors. Criminal and abuse background checks will be conducted on all volunteers. Companions will not be expected to provide medical care to the clients. Our companions will be providing a stress outlet for the caregiver with the assurance the...

Calendar

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 20:40:54 GMT

Content will be added.

News

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 20:40:21 GMT

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For Volunteers

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 20:38:55 GMT

Content will be added.