Monthly Archives: October 2011

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By LISA M. KRIEGER – San Jose Mercury News

more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/10/04/2213232/golfing-reawakens-some-of-dementias.html#ixzz1ZrOVcArf

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – Names, dates, places – such memories are lost to the unforgiving chasm of Alzheimer’s disease.

But when 84-year-old Jim Byerlee stepped up to the driving range at Cupertino, Calif.‘s Deep Cliff Golf Course, he swung with the graceful rhythm of a long-ago athlete, sending the ball skyward in an elegant arc.

“You get lucky sometimes,” said the bemused Byerlee, a renowned U.S. Geologic Survey geophysicist with a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Life with dementia can feel cloudy, confused, sleepless and agitated.

But once a week, a handful of residents of Belmont, Calif.‘s Silverado Senior Living briefly defy gravity, and their illness, with a simple game of golf. Facts fade, but a fairway is forever.

“I was trying to hit it short,” explained Matilda McNaughton, 71, who exchanged her walker for a wedge, then hit a perfect pitch shot onto a lush carpet of green.

As America ages and the Alzheimer’s population grows, caregivers and geriatricians are working to rethink the possibilities of life with the disease, a catastrophic deterioration of the mind.

There is no cure. No drugs have been proven to do more than slow the progression of the disease, caused by damage and death to brain cells.

An estimated 5.2 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, a statistic expected to grow according to the Alzheimer’s Association as baby boomers pass through their 60s and 70s.

But experts say that outdoor activities – particularly those that were enjoyed in younger years – can make day-to-day life more pleasant, even enriching.

And muscles remember what the mind cannot.

“The nature of the disease is that it doesn’t march uniformly, from cell to cell,” although eventually it affects every aspect of life, said William H. Fisher, CEO of Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California. “I have known patients who could still play the piano very well. In art therapy programs, some people who are pretty shut down will re-engage,” said Fisher. “My grandmother went to same Presbyterian Church every Sunday, sitting in the same pew, and she knew the drill – when to stand up, when to sit down.”

Research has shown that one of the areas of the brain most immediately affected by Alzheimer’s is the medial/temporal lobe, especially the hippocampus, which consolidates and stores short-term memories.

But other types of memory that appear to rely on different neural systems in the brain remain accessible longer, say scientists. These include procedural memory, such as how to count from one to 10, or motor memory, such as how to ride a bike – or swing a golf club.

There are other benefits, say experts.

“With Alzheimer’s, the big behavioral problems that come along with the diagnosis are agitation, present in 60 percent of patients, and sleep disturbance, which is present in 70 percent of patients,” said Jeffery Newell, research coordinator for the Aging Clinical Research Center in the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University‘s School of Medicine.

“Getting patients outside and doing things like golf, as a general rule, wears them out and exposes them to sunlight, which helps them sleep better at night,” he said. “Our first recommendation to families is to get them outside for physical activity – a walk, gardening, even sewing – to get some sun. It helps keep the peace. If someone is agitated, and throwing the remote control at you, you can’t take care of them.”

The retired executives, engineers and other professionals who can afford to live at Silverado – a $72,000 to $108,000 a year “memory care” facility tucked into a verdant hillside, on a six-acre manicured campus with secure fencing, locked doors and 24 hour nursing – look forward to the Wednesday outings. Five staff accompanied seven golfers.

“They are very accomplished people and we can’t forget that,” said Silverardo administrator Daizel Gasperian. “It gives them a sense of freedom, and dignity. Everything is right. They feel empowered and more energetic. It’s normalcy.”

Two hours before tee off time, Ralph Dinardi waited patiently, a putter in his hand, “like Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.” When not on the course, the retired Westinghouse mechanical engineer likes to practice his putting in his carpeted bedroom, hitting a whiffle ball into a Hula-Hoop.

“I find the game fascinating,” he said, in a written statement he had carefully typed out himself. “I understand the dimples on the balls make them travel almost twice as far.”

Deep Cliff pro Gerry Benton celebrated each shot like it was the 18th hole at Pebble Beach.

“It is deeply satisfying,” said Benton, who as a child grew devoted to his maternal grandmother.

“One rule I made for myself: Take the word ‘remember’ out of my vocabulary,” said Benton.

“I used to go into the ‘golf teaching mode,’ almost reflexively,” he said. I would say ‘Remember we worked on this? Remember how you put your hands like that?’ But, of course, they don’t.”

“Now we start new, every time. It is very much ‘in the moment.’ It’s not five minutes from now. It’s not building on something we did before. All of my attention is there. I’m not thinking about the future, or past,” he said. “It is really refreshing.”

Byerlee grew annoyed when a plastic tee tipped over. “What do I do with this?” he asked. Nearby, Don Thor, sharply dressed in Dockers and topsiders, just sat quietly and watched.

But in the warm sunshine, in the late afternoon of their lives, no one fretted about scores, sandtraps or hitting par.

“I’m a late bloomer,” giggled Annette Hotz, 87. “I really truly love the game.”

From: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/10/04/2213232/golfing-reawakens-some-of-dementias.html

11 Early Signs of Dementia (thelifestylechanger.wordpress.com)
The Differences Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (homeinstead590.wordpress.com)
Can’t Find Time to Exercise? Schedule It (nlm.nih.gov)

Posted in Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia, Dementia, Health, Neurological Disorders

Painting in Twilight: Mending a Shattered Memory of Art & Alzheimer’s

Oct 4

Posted by Lark E. Kirkwood

by Press Release: Cognitive Dynamics
09-09-2011

Los Angeles, CA, September 09, 2011 –(PR.com)– In an attempt to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, Cognitive Dynamics http://www.cognitivedynamics.org founder, Dr. Daniel C. Potts, showcased his father’s paintings at David W. Streets Gallery in Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Potts’ father, Lester Potts, was a saw miller from rural Alabama who discovered his artistic talent and found acclaim as an artist only after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Like many deteriorating from Alzheimer’s, Lester had shut down. He was unable to speak and becoming isolated. Caring Days, an adult day center for people with dementia in Tuscaloosa, AL gave Lester a second chance. At the center, Lester was introduced to painting in an art therapy program. Through the medium, he rediscovered his voice and found a way to tell his story. Amazingly, despite the difficulties of the disease, and lacking any formal training, Lester’s work revealed the nuance and technique typical of an artist classically trained.

“When you look at Lester’s work, there is an uncanny, intuitive understanding of color, shading, composition and form. It is amazing any time we see this kind of work from someone without training, especially from someone suffering from Alzheimer’s, yet, this is what art therapy is about,” said Angel C. Duncan, a Medical Art Therapist and the Executive Director of Cognitive Connections, a branch of Cognitive Dynamics focused on bringing others the kind of arts therapies Lester benefitted from.

“The brain is a mystery. It is such a complex machine that science is only just beginning to understand. To see Lester’s art and recognize that someone suffering from Alzheimer’s created it, someone who’d otherwise lost the tools to communicate, is a testament to how effective and important art therapy is for the millions of others facing the same diagnosis. Clearly, art has a way of exhibiting pieces of the soul that don’t appear in a science lab. Work like Lester’s, and others like him, is a prescient reminder that science needs art,” she adds.

Cognitive Dynamics Advisory Board Member, Dr. Meril Platzer, MD, coordinated and sponsored the art exhibit. The exhibit is being held at David W. Streets Gallery in Beverley Hills, CA http://www.davidstreetsbeverlyhills.com through the end of October.

A star studded private opening included: philanthropist and Spago restaurant owner Barbara Lazaroff, Good Morning America anchor Lara Spencer, Los Angeles City Council member Jan Perry, the Jerry Mathers family, author Diane Lander-Simon, Fauna Hodel of Celebrity Society Magazine, Beverly Hills celebrity photographer Maxine Picard, as well as celebrity host David W. Streets. The gallery is open for viewing and some of Lester’s paintings will be available for purchase. Oscar winning filmmakers, Electro-fish Media founders Chris and Cile Elley documented this exhibit, a short film called, “Painting in Twilight.” Their video can be seen on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/user/cognitivedynamics#p/a/u/0/LZxGD5bKhy8.

More than 5 million Americans are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease. Many of those suffering from the disease have lost part of their ability to remember or their means of verbally communicating their needs and experiences. As Lester’s work demonstrates, art can provide an alternate way to engage and tap into the neural pathways. Art therapy is proving it can, and should, be an intricate part of non-invasive treatment in conjunction with medications to preserve quality and dignity of life. Cognitive Dynamics through its Cognitive Connections training program is working hard to help train medical professionals and caregivers so they are able to apply these innovative expressive arts therapy techniques. The groundbreaking Cognitive Connections program was developed by nationally-known experts in the expressive arts industry.

About Cognitive Dynamics
Cognitive Dynamics, Inc. http://www.cognitivedynamics.org was founded in 2010 by American Academy of Neurology-recognized advocate, Dr. Daniel C. Potts, MD as a way to advance research and improve the quality of life for dementia patients and caregivers through innovative approaches incorporating the expressive arts. Cognitive Dynamic’s mission is to improve the quality of life of patients with cognitive disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease) through education, research, and support of innovative care models. The foundation aims to promote human dignity, especially through therapies employing Expressive Arts Therapy.

Angel Duncan
Executive Director, Cognitive Connections
angel@cognitivedynamics.org

For more information: http://www.pr.com/press-release/351780

From: http://www.ucira.ucsb.edu/painting-in-twilight-mending-a-shattered-memory-of-art-alzheimers/

Reigniting Life through Art with Alzheimer’s Disease (alzheimersspeaks.wordpress.com)
Easing Alzheimer’s Symptoms With Art Therapy (everydayhealth.com)
An Unexpected Journey (alzheimersspeaks.wordpress.com)
Art Therapy for Alzheimer’s and Dementia (everydayhealth.com)
Association between Alzheimer’s Disease and Hearing Health Highlighted by BHI for World Alzheimer’s Day (prweb.com)
Combined-Therapy Approach Offers Best Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease (fyiliving.com)

Posted in Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia, Music, Music & Art

A Heartbreaking Story of Elder Abuse and Legal Thievery

Oct 2

Posted by Lark E. Kirkwood

by Jim Fargiano 2011-09-03

Source: http://goarticles.com/article/A-Heartbreaking-Story-of-Elder-Abuse-and-Legal-Thievery/5265354/

Until relatively recently, I was unaware of how rampant elder abuse is within the legal court system. For almost the last two decades, my life has been consumed by helping as many people as I could in a different way than most give help. I have informally counseled and helped thousands of people through the publishing of my book, as well as in private sessions as a medium/psychic. It was not until my good friend started to share her story with me that my eyes were opened to something far more prevalent than I was cognizant of; at least on a conscious level.
I have been privileged to know Diane for over five years. During that span, she has never been anything but helpful, loving and compassionate to everyone. Doing what I do for a living generally makes me able to be a pretty good judge of character. Ironically, it is a judge and his decisions that prompted me to write this article. The choices and attitude he has expressed have been protected by legal statutes. While they might be legal, they are far from moral, ethical or compassionate.

This all began approximately two and a half years ago. Diane’s mother had given her power of attorney and named her the healthcare proxy. Like many families, there were disagreements with the siblings. Diane was being told that her brother and sister wanted to sell their mother’s home and place her in a nursing home. While this elderly woman, Dorothy, had some early dementia and knee problems, she was still a vibrant, cognizant person. She had no interest in being displaced so that those two could have her money. Diane’s family suggested she file for legal guardianship to protect her home and to protect her mother’s life as well. It seemed to make an abundance of sense.

To tell the events of what unfolded quickly is really an injustice to the elder abuse that has incurred since. The siblings contested the petition for guardianship. Instead of reaching a mediated agreement, the judge listening to the case decided he would be better at making decisions for everyone. He assigned a law guardian and a healthcare manager. It appears these three have worked together before. Diane was immediately removed from what her mother wanted; to have her take care of her needs if there was any reason for it. As it was, Dorothy would spend many weekends at Diane’s house. It must be noted that Diane works from home and took care of her father in his last years. It would give Dorothy a change of scenery and much appreciated love and companionship. All of that was about to change.

Diane, rightfully, brought in a lawyer to help overturn the judge’s decision. This attorney had handled her parents’ legal needs in the past. Not only was he familiar with the family dynamics, but he had intimate knowledge of what Dorothy wanted. He was even going to represent Diane pro bono. All he wanted to see was that this aged woman was allowed to live happily at her own home, or with Diane. The Supreme Court judge, based in Nassau County, New York, took it upon himself to unfairly disallow the attorney’s generosity and right to represent Diane. It was the first step in a string of negatively prejudicial rulings against my friend.

The law guardian requested that a reverse mortgage be approved for $275,000 on Dorothy’s home of six decades. In open court, opposed by some, this magistrate authorized the financial decision and stated that the money would allow Dorothy to remain in her home for at least five years. It is now only two years later and all of that money has been spent. In addition, social security and a couple of small pensions were still coming in. In a mere twenty-four months, more than $325,000 had been frittered away!

As of the writing of this story, the judge has ordered Dorothy into a nursing home. In his ruling, he admits this goes against Dorothy and the family’s wishes. The law guardian, healthcare manager and another person showed up unannounced and told Dorothy they were taking her to the doctor to check on a problem she was having. Dorothy, now eighty-seven years old, willingly went with them. She was hustled to a nursing home that was a distance far from the only child who has been battling for her freedom. She is frightened beyond belief.

The lie to get her into the car is one of a long string of deceptive tactics used by the law guardian, healthcare manager and the judge himself. There has been hearing after hearing over the last thirty or so months where the three of them have waged a war of defamatory statements, incredulous lies and perjury against Diane. They have fought the only daughter looking to do the right thing for her mother, with their end game being a complete bleeding of Dorothy’s modest estate. Her health has been compromised, and from my outsiders view, it was done solely to line their own pockets. The tragic thing in all of this has been that the judge, elected to uphold the rights of all people, has spearheaded his attack on an elderly woman.

How I wish I could condense hundreds of pages of documents into a short article. There was the theft of over thirty thousand dollars of jewelry. Dorothy stated that her other daughter absconded with it and she has been asking to have it returned. The supposed law guardian knows about it, but has refused to step in. There was a sworn statement from another legal person stating that from all of the interviews she had with people familiar with the family, that Diane was seen as the most loving and giving child of the three. It states that her brother is known to have a violent temper and would be a danger to his mother. In court, the very same woman stood before the judge and said that this same man would be the best person to have Dorothy live with. In my opinion, these egregious actions of Diane’s siblings has been overlooked in exchange for their support in allowing all of this to go on without their objections.

As I sum this up, I would share with you that there was a previous time that Dorothy was locked away for thirty days in another facility. She was denied the chance to be taken out by Diane for Thanksgiving, nor was she allowed to attend her only great granddaughter’s christening; something that she wanted very much to be a part of. In trying to support Diane in whatever limited way possible, I have found that elder abuse is a much broader problem than I was aware of. The National Association To Stop Guardian Abuse (NASGA) has stepped in to help with this case; one of a multitude they are bringing to the attention of Congress and other law related committees. It seems like power-hungry people who are trusted to protect the rights of our senior citizens run amuck and take advantage of them, their families and so forth. Justice is supposed to be blind, yet it is those in society who need not be blind to the fact that this goes on far too often. If you find yourself in a position to make a difference by correcting the wrongs of these judges and guardians, make sure you do not wait for someone else to fix it. What would you do if this was your Mom or Dad; if it was your family faced with this?

About the Author

Jim Fargiano is a student and teacher of spirituality and universal awareness. He has shared his ability to communicate with Spirit with thousands of people. There is a daily blog for like-minded people who are willing to improve their lives. Jim can be reached at http://www.JimFargiano.com. Follow Jim Fargiano’s daily blog at http://www.JimFargiano.blogspot.com