Too often, patients and their family members are told by their doctors that the patient has been diagnosed with “a little bit of dementia.” They leave the doctor’s visit with a feeling of relief that at least they don’t have Alzheimer’s disease.

But what does that really mean, and what is the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?

One of the best articles on that topic is by Dr. Robert Stern. Check out his article at the Alzheimer’s Reading Room by clicking on this link.

This year’s event in Vancouver has been full of outstanding presentations, news, networking and inspiration. For more information and news please visit this page at AAIC 2012.

This year reports were released that linked gait changes and cognitive impairment, discussed how sleep disturbances are risk factors and gave long-term (three-year) stabilization data of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms with IVIG.

It’s not  too early to start planning for next year’s AAIC event in Boston July 13-18, 2013.

See you and Puzzle with Me there!

This weekend I went to a tribute concert to Michael Jackson’s music. When they performed “Man in the Mirror”, all I could think of were the millions of people around the world with Alzheimer’s – and their caregivers.

Caregivers, you are not alone!

If you are reading this you may be a caregiver or certainly know one. Often this role is thrust upon us. And at one or more points you ask yourself – are you the man or woman in the mirror? Will you “make a change”? It may not seem like you have a choice, and in any case you probably have chose to step up.

“If you want to change the world, it begins with the man in the mirror”. That is you, me and all of us who have jumped in to helping someone.

Next I want to change the world of Alzheimer’s to a better place – 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, soon!  I’m sure you do, too. We take it seriously, because we MUST make a change!

Please reach out to me at Puzzle with Me and let’s make each day better for our caregivers and those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Support us – and Alzheimer’s Disease International – and Puzzle with Me – to expand the movement. End Alzheimer’s – and while we’re ending it, let’s practice therapeutic caregiving.

Let me know what you think!

And thanks Michael Jackson!

I’m Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

Pretending Not To See Their Needs
A Summer’s Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And One Man’s Soul

I’m Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change

All of us involved with a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease can relate to this story. This is a well-done video that explains precisely what is happening in their brain. It’s soothing – and frightening – to know.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? A Video

“The progression from mild forgetting to death…averages 5-10 years”

A recommended approach one one we advocate is a therapeutic caregiving style that involves walking, talking, painting and puzzling (Puzzle with Me). Let’s solve it…together!

Yesterday I read about hope in the Alzheimer’s Reading Room – you can see the post by clicking HERE.

That is so right – that hope keeps us going. All of us who are caregivers for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia know that it can get so frustrating. Sometimes we say things that we don’t mean, and the regret from those moments is painful. But we’ve all been through it and it’s natural. What keeps us going is hope.

In this case hope is not necessarily that our mother, father, friend or partner will get better. We hope for some better days than others and for wonderful glimpses of the past. We can hope for a miracle cure, too. Sometimes life surprises us!

Whatever the future holds, our goal is always to make the best of the current situation, and that’s why Puzzle with Me Alzheimer’s and dementia puzzles were created. They are part of a therapeutic care-giving program, and they allow us to find memories and make connections TODAY.

Those memories and connections create smiles, and hope. Hope is a positive emotional state that is the opposite of despair. Let’s find it … together.

The purpose of Alzheimer’s puzzles is to create new connections to memories impacted by Alzheimer’s or dementia. Perhaps we should say recreating memories, because some may have already nearly drifted away. Our Puzzle with Me Alzheimer’s solutions help caregivers bring them back into focus, and certainly allow caregivers to connect more directly.

Today I was reading about Selinda Border who is 50 and has a 9 year old daughter. Selinda has early onset of Alzheimer’s and is working hard to create memories for mother and daughter to relive down the line. We certainly hope that progress will be made in the battle against Alzheimer’s in the meantime so that Selena and millions of current sufferers from this disease will be released from its memory-robbing clutches.

You can read more about Selena’s story here: Memories Left Behind