Tag: Alzheimer’s Association

When Our “Sandcastles” Are Erased

by Mershon Niesner

Have you ever walked along a shoreline, only to have your footprints washed away? That’s what Alzheimer’s is like. The waves erase the marks we leave behind, all the sand castles. Pat Summitt, American women’s college basketball head coach

Every sixty-six seconds a new brain develops Alzheimer’s. Two-thirds of them belong to women. In addition, women make up two-thirds of all the caregivers caring for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Women are at the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s crisis. That’s why we must be at the heart of the solution. 

Much attention is given to the support of cancer and heart disease research which is necessary and important. We need to add Alzheimer’s to our list. If you’re a woman over sixty, you are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than you are breast cancer. Support the cause and support caregivers. It takes a community to stand up to this devastating disease.

Affirmation: I support Alzheimer’s research.

Coaching request:  If you’ve swept Alzheimer’s and other dementias under the rug, take another look. Become informed, support research and caregivers.

24/7 helpline – 1-800-272-3900

www.alz.org

Watch for your local walk

Erasing the Footprints

by Mershon Niesner

Have you ever walked along a shoreline, only to have your footprints washed away? That’s what Alzheimer’s is like. The waves erase the marks we leave behind, all the sand castles. Some days are better than others. Pat Summitt, American women’s college basketball head coach who holds the record for the most career wins.

Every 66 seconds a new brain develops Alzheimer’s. Two-thirds of them belong to women. In addition, women make up two-thirds of all the caregivers caring for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Women are at the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s crisis. That’s why we must be at the heart of the solution. 

Much attention is given to the support of cancer and heart disease research which is necessary and important. We need to add Alzheimer’s to our list. If you’re a woman over sixty, you are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s than you are breast cancer. Support the cause and support caregivers. It takes a community to stand up to this devastating disease.

Affirmation: I support Alzheimer’s research.

Coaching request:  If you’ve swept Alzheimer’s under the rug, take another look. Become informed, support the research and caregivers.

24/7 helpline – 1-800-272-3900

www.alz.org

Watch for your local walk

Remembering Those Who Don’t

by Mershon Niesner

She would grab whatever she could – a look, a whisper, a moan – to salvage from perishing, to preserve. But time is most unforgiving of fire, and she couldn’t, in the end, save it all. Khaled Hosseini, author, A Thousand Splendid Suns

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. Between 2000 and 2015 deaths from heart disease have decreased 11 percent while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased 123 percent.

For daughters who are losing their mothers to this disease, these are not only numbers…to them, it is their life! They know how to help their mother through upsetting changes and situations. Perhaps you don’t –  so here are four tips:

Approach the person calmly from the front using positive statements.

Reassure the person by touching their hand or shoulder.

Don’t argue with the person or try to correct them. Affirm their experience and redirect their attention.

Respond to their emotions rather than to the content of their words.

Alzheimer’s 24/7 Helpline is 800-272-3900.

Affirmation: I care about others.

Coaching question: What can you do to help fight this deadly epidemic? (spread the word, donate, volunteer)