Part 1
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=em-upload_owner&v=Fsq5Lap3Llc
Part 2
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OshfhwQ6X1k&feature=em-upload_owner
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Vietnamese Talkshow links
Below you can find two links regarding the Vietnamese Talkshow I was on earlier this month. It was aired about 5 times in all 50 states including Canada.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
5 ways to talk to someone with Alzheimer's
I personally need to remember these 5 tips because with the hectic schedules we all have I sometimes to forget to remain calm when my Mom repeats the same question when I'm trying to get her breakfast and just dealing with our morning chaos. I have signs around the house to assist me with as a visual aide. I hope these tips will help you as well.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Safety Blanket
I've read how those suffering from Alzheimer's become dependent of their Caregivers and even though I'm told by my Niece that my Mom does say nice things about me when I'm not around it's hard to believe it when Sundown occurs and the other "side" of my Mom appears. (Sundowning is a psychological phenomenon associated with increased confusion and restlessness in patients with some form of dementia. Most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but also found in those with mixed dementia, the term “sundowning” was coined due to the odd timing of the patient’s confusion. For patients with sundowning syndrome, a multitude of behavioral problems begin to occur in the evening or while the sun is setting.[1][2] [3] Sundowning seems to occur more frequently during the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease and mixed dementia. Patients are generally able to understand that this behavioral pattern is abnormal. Sundowning seems to subside with the progression of a patient’s dementia.[1][2] Research shows that 20-45% of Alzheimer’s patients will experience some sort of sundowning confusion.[1] - wikepedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sundowning_(dementia)
My Mother gets a bit agitated and aggressive and says hateful words that hurt but I try to laugh it off as I walk way even though I feel like dying inside but I know it's not my Mom saying those words to me.
The other day I took her to one of our local restaurants (I try to go to restaurants that know us and she likes the food even though I'm tired of it)
I have been recouping from bronchitis and I drank a cold drink and she tells me "don't drink cold drinks you will get bronchitis and die" I tell her too late I already got it and she starts to cry saying the I need to take care of myself because what will happened to her if I get sick and I die that who will take care of her the way I do (I'm getting teary eye rethinking this) that nobody will take care of her the way I do and that I better move over and make space for her because she would go with me if I die. That made me think of the day she is gone and how empty my life will be without her and I started to cry, the waitress comes to take our order (for the second time) sees us crying and walks away :)
It made me realize that even though she gets Sundown mostly every night, my Mom is still in there......
My Mother gets a bit agitated and aggressive and says hateful words that hurt but I try to laugh it off as I walk way even though I feel like dying inside but I know it's not my Mom saying those words to me.
The other day I took her to one of our local restaurants (I try to go to restaurants that know us and she likes the food even though I'm tired of it)
I have been recouping from bronchitis and I drank a cold drink and she tells me "don't drink cold drinks you will get bronchitis and die" I tell her too late I already got it and she starts to cry saying the I need to take care of myself because what will happened to her if I get sick and I die that who will take care of her the way I do (I'm getting teary eye rethinking this) that nobody will take care of her the way I do and that I better move over and make space for her because she would go with me if I die. That made me think of the day she is gone and how empty my life will be without her and I started to cry, the waitress comes to take our order (for the second time) sees us crying and walks away :)
It made me realize that even though she gets Sundown mostly every night, my Mom is still in there......
Monday, March 10, 2014
Television show
A few months ago I walked into a pharmacy for work to spread information about Alzheimer's and the Pharmacist contacted me to do a presentation at her pharmacy but long story short she has a tv talk show and today I was honored to appear as her Guest on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association as part of outreach for our Vietnamese Community. What I thought would only show in the city of Westminster and the surrounding cities actually turns out to be a talk show that is shown in all 50 states including Canada which I found out seconds before going on. They will be editing this week and should be on the air on Monday 3/17, I will update with channel and time. Attached is a snapshot before taping earlier this afternoon.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Forget, Regroup and Repeat
My niece is part of my Mom's "village" she has incredible patience with her and I feel like I learn from her. My Mom is in a part of her disease where she gets easily aggravated and can say not very nice words and as soon as she says them she forgets and then is cherry and happy again although she gets over it in a blink of an eye it's a bit harder for us who do by forget so easily but we have to regroup fast and not act hurt form her words that can sting and repeat everything hoping for a different result. So that's where "forget, regroup and repeat" comes from.
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