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After two days of inspiration and education, advocates headed to Capitol Hill to meet with their respective legislators and ask for their continued support in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Here’s how the meetings went for a few of the Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter advocates:
View photos from the forum on Flickr and learn more about the sessions at alz.org/forum.
How do you sum up a day full of inspirational speakers, informative sessions, networking, and policy in just over a minute? Find out below:
View photos from the forum on Flickr and learn more about the sessions at alz.org/forum.
Over 900 Alzheimer’s advocates have gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 25th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum. We have asked attendees from the Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter to share their insights from the sessions they have attended. Here is what they had to say on Day 1:
View photos from the forum on Flickr and learn more about the sessions at alz.org/forum.
What do we mean by delirium?
Also called the acute confusional state, delirium is a medical condition that results in confusion and other disruptions in thinking and behavior, including changes in perception, attention, mood and activity level. Individuals living with dementia are highly susceptible to delirium. Unfortunately, it can easily go unrecognized even by healthcare professionals because many symptoms are shared by delirium and dementia. Sudden changes in behavior, such as increased agitation or confusion in the late evening, may be labeled as “sundowning” and dismissed as the unfortunate natural progression of one’s dementia.
When is a change in behavior delirium and not part of dementia?
In dementia, changes in memory and intellect are slowly evident over months or years. Delirium is a more abrupt confusion, emerging over days or weeks, and represents a sudden change from the person’s previous course of dementia. Unlike the subtle decline of Alzheimer’s disease, the confusion of delirium fluctuates over the day, at times dramatically. Thinking becomes more disorganized, and maintaining a coherent conversation may not be possible. Alertness may vary from a “hyperalert” or easily startled state to drowsiness and lethargy. The hallmark separating delirium from underlying dementia is inattention. The individual simply cannot focus on one idea or task. Continue reading “Delirium or Dementia – Do you know the difference?” »
Dad and Jim
Jim Davis wrote a poem in honor of his dad, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease this year on February 23. His father would have been 97 years old this month. Jim and his wife were his father’s full-time caregivers for more than 3 years. A retired engineer with 10 patents to his name, Jim’s dad was always extremely physically active despite losing one lung to TB in the 1940s. As recently as August 2012 he bowled a 166 with 6 strikes in a row! Here is the touching poem that Jim wrote for his dad.
Hell–And the Synapses that Done It
He applies his human reason
To facts not at all related –
And to say his false conclusions
Are erroneous is understated.
Continue reading “A Poem for Dad: Hell–and the synapses that done it” »
The 2013 Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report was released today! 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Share the facts. Change the future.
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Alzheimer's Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada
1060 La Avenida, Mountain View, CA 94043 Phone 650.962.8111
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Alzheimer's Association National Office 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 Alzheimers and Dementia Blog – Alzheimers Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada
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