Tag dementias

I’ve Just Been Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s. Can I Still Work?

buv006Due to an aging workforce, finding employees diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is becoming more common. While many people can remain at work in the early stages of the disease, each person’s situation is unique. Talk to your physician and caregiving team regarding how your current set of symptoms will impact your ability to work, and keep revisiting the conversation as your symptoms change. Depending on your particular job, you may need to transition out of work sooner than later, for example, if your job involves driving or utilizing skills that may be more challenging with Alzheimer’s.

If you are able to continue working, try to create a transition plan with your employer, perhaps reducing hours or taking a less demanding role. Educate your employer about the disease as you discuss your options, you may even want to bring a caregiver or advocate with you. You may find that your employer and even your Human Resources department may have had little training or exposure to the disease. Unfortunately, many companies that have stellar childcare benefits and support resources haven’t caught up with eldercare disease issues. Continue reading “I’ve Just Been Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s. Can I Still Work?” »

Dos Voces, Un Destino: La Señora Contenta

Para celebra el Día De las Madres le queremos contar un poco de la historia de nuestra mama.

Nuestra mamá nació en Chiltiupan, un pueblito en las montañas del Puerto De La Liberta. Nuestros abuelitos tenían una tienda y terrenos de agricultura. Mama Coro, nuestra abuela, se encargaba en el trabajo de la tienda y Papa Chuz en atender la finca y el ganado. Mamá es la hija menor de una familia de 13 hijos. Como la niña de la casa mamá se crio diferente a sus hermanas. Sus hermanas tenían que ayudar con el trabajo de la casa. Cuidando los hermanos menores, haciendo pan, queso, o bordando para vender. Nuestras tías nos cuentan de los pañuelitos que bordaban con corazones para vender en los bailes del pueblo. El oficio de mamá erra el trabajo de la tienda, atendiendo los clientes. A mamá le gustaba que la tienda estuviera alegre con música y cuando no habían clientes se ponía a pintar sus uñas.

La cultura Latina es dominada por el hombre, más en los tiempos cuando mamá se crió. Sus hermanos, todos fueron educados terminando sus estudios en la Universidad. Al contrario las hembra solo fueron a la escuela primaria o secundaria. Cuando Papa Chuz murió, a sus hijas no les dejo herencia. Sus pensamientos erran que a sus hijas, su esposo las tenían que mantener pero a sus hijos ellos tenía que mantener su familia. Gracias a Dios por su misma voluntad y por ser trabajadoras las hijas todas han salido adelante.

Irma y Victorino, 1963

Irma y Victorino, 1963

Cuando mamá se vino para Los Estados Unidos a reunirse con Papá era el año 1959. Sus hermanos le suplicaron que lo pensara bien lo que estaba haciendo, en Los Estados Unidos iba a tener que trabajar. El primer trabajo que encontró Mamá era en Los Angeles en una fábrica de sándwiches. Para trabajar allí mamá se tuvo que cortar sus uñas y lloro. Mamá tenía una cárstica fuerte, siempre diciendo “Que no hay que darle el brazo a torcer.” Entre poco tiempo mamá y papá se movieron a San Francisco donde encontraron trabajo en una laundry. Mamá es económica y en 1963 había ahorrado dinero para dar de entre en una casa. Ellos compraron una casita en Sur San Francisco donde nos creamos. Continue reading “Dos Voces, Un Destino: La Señora Contenta” »

Hanging up the Keys

keysIf you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, one of the many difficult decisions you will face is when to hang up your car keys. Driving is such a routine freedom and pleasure that for most people it is quite painful to think about losing that independence. But the disease impacts the concentration and quick reactions that safe driving requires, so needing to stop is inevitable. The question of driving – whether to continue and if so, for how long – needs to be evaluated as part of your ongoing health planning.

You’re likely to have conflicted thoughts about giving up driving, so acknowledge and share your feelings about it. Talk with your caregiver about how the driving decision should be made, balancing your desire for continued independence with the need for everyone’s safety. In the early stages of the disease, you may be able to simply transition your driving to be more limited, perhaps only driving familiar, short drives during the daytime. You could use a GPS tracking device to reduce a caregiver’s concerns. Continue reading “Hanging up the Keys” »

Behind the scenes at the 25th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum – Day 3

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.

Behind the scenes at the 25th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum – Day 2

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.

 

Behind the scenes at the 25th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum – Day 1

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.

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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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