Dementia caregivers meeting unites speakers and resources

GRASONVILLE - Caring for loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer's can be a daunting and stressful task. Understanding and identifying changes in dementia behavior, reducing stress, and managing fall risk and subsequently promoting better mobility were topics addressed at the Upper Shore Conference for Dementia Caregivers.

Sponsored by the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center, John Hopkins Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program and the Queen Anne County Department of Aging, the program was open to family caregivers and professionals and was held at the Grasonville Senior Center on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Keynote speaker Jennifer FitzPatrick - gerentologist and founder of Jenerations Health Education Inc., a training company - addressed the topic of reducing stress. FitzPatrick has recently published a book "Cruising Through Caregiving: Reducing the Stress of Caring for Your Loved One." In her book FitzPatrick addresses the need for a "caregiving crew", a group who will help navigate through making difficult decisions and provide support to not only the loved one with dementia, but also to the primary caregiver.

"Nobody looks forward to being a caregiver," said Fitz-Patrick. "We all want and hope our older spouses, parents, and other family members will remain independent and healthy." However, she maintains it becomes more common for older adults to need some type of help. And it is typical, says FitzPatrick, for caregivers to struggle at times, feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about some aspect of their loved ones care.

"To reduce caregiving stress, be patient with yourself and try to educate yourself as much as possible about your older loved one's conditions," says FitzPatrick, "Also, remember that it takes a caregiving crew ? no captain should ever go it alone."

She also outlined several options for patients with dementia including: adult day care, assisted living, CCRCs (communities that for an entrance fee offer independent living, assisted living, and nursing home options), home care for assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), home health care (nursing and physical therapy, and nursing homes (for short term rehabilitation and long-term residential services).

Director of Shore Neurocognitive Health Beth Parker-O'Brien led the discussion on identifying and understanding changes in dementia behavior. According to the Alzheimer's Association there are 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease. Those behaviors include: memory loss that disrupts daily life, challenges in planning or solving problems, difficulty completing familiar tasks at home or work, confusion with time or place, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, new problems with words in speaking or writing, misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps, decreased or poor judgement, withdrawal from work or social activities, and changes in mood or personality.

According to studies, memory does change with age, but memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. According to the Alzheimer's Association, "dementia is a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's, a fatal disorder that results in the loss of brain cells and function."

And because mood changes can be the result of another condiditon, the association strongly encourages consulting a doctor if these changes are detected. Likewis, early diganois gives a chance to seek treatment and plan for the future.

Dennis Kilma, associate professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and final speaker engaged the group in managing fall risks and promoting effective mobility. Kilma is a proponent of outreach and education - both community and clinical - to enhance the initiative that no older adult should fall and stay on the floor any length of time.

Kilma's experience in physical therapy led him to study falls and the effect of mobility on recovering from the floor. "No one should try to get up without and assisted device," stressed Kilma. In an obvious case of suspected head injury or hip fracture, 911 is the best solution, he added. However, many individuals can get up using the "all fours" position, or hands and knees and then using an assisted device such as a sturdy chair, he explained.

Every hour an older adult with dementia stays down on the floor, complications arise two-fold, said Kilma. He noted contributing factors to recurring falls including age, multiple falls over a three month period, balance confidence, and diastolic blood pressure. Kilma's studies showed patients with dementia can make gains with mobility with balance and exercise. Everyone who is able, should be exercising, said Kilma, "one most important exercise is walking. Just walking."

Adults who have a prior history of exercising or dancing, may find their muscle memory allows them to return to those activities and says Kilma, "folks who exercise regularly with dementia, have a decreased fall risk."

Kilma suggested one class in particular be made available through the Grasonville Senior Center. The class is led by a physical therapist and is through a program called Stepping On. Kilma said he has seen huge benefits from patients participating in the seven-week class.

The conference also welcomed exhibitors and resources from Arcadia Assisted Living, Bayleigh Chase, Brightstar, Candlelight Cove, Compass Regional Hospice, Genesis Healthcare-Corsica Hills, Home Instead, Regent Healthcare, Queen Anne County Area Agency on Aging, and Upper Shore Aging-Brooklet's Place.