Sun.,Nov.,8 - 4 to 5 PM - Dementia Help Center w/ Lisa Stanford

- LISTEN TO THE COMPLETE SHOW FOR HI-LIGHTS/DETAILS OF SUBJECTS DISCUSSED IN THIS INTERVIEW.

3. DEMENTIA HELP CENTER w/ Lisa Stanford, re: 75-270 Hwy., 111, Ste., 204, Indian Wells 92210.– MISSION STATEMENT; Dementia Help Center is the rescue plan for family caregivers. Offer individual and family coaching, personalized planning, care management and placement when the time comes. Fear cripples, but knowledge empowers. Strive to educate, inform and manage the disease and then to thrive.

- QUESTIONS FROM “JOEY PALS”

1. Is Dementia contagious? (NO!!! There is a difference in Dementia bring contagioius and certain proteins involved in Alzheimer’s disease spreading within the brain.)

- SUBJECT FOR TODAY; HOLIDAY SUCCESS TIPS

1. Accept that things have changed. Adjust holiday expectations to your loved one's current abilities.

2. Stay calm and patient. Use a gentle tone of voice and avoid frustration.

3. Be careful with crowds. Even small gatherings can become overwhelming.

4. Prepare family and friends. Explain changes in your loved one's condition before holiday visits.

5. Have everyone introduce themselves. Don't ask, "Remember me?" Instead, identify yourself and share a happy memory.

6. Respect their comfort zone. Provide a quiet place away from noise and activity.

7. Help with public restrooms. Accompany your loved one when needed to prevent confusion or disorientation.

8. Maintain familiar routines. Keep meals, rest periods and daily activities as consistent as possible.

9. Request assistance when flying. Arrange wheelchair service, early boarding and additional airline assistance when appropriate.

10. Create new holiday traditions. Adapt celebrations to what your loved one can comfortably enjoy today.

The central message: Their comfort matters more than maintaining old holiday traditions.

- REPORT that hearing loss is linked to faster atrophy in the brain, particularly in areas for processing sounds and memories.

- REPORT that when hearing is impaired, the brain must work harder to process sounds and fill in gaps…i.e. diverting mental resources away from memory and higher-level thinking systems.

- REPORT that 70% of family members who care for Dementia/Alzheimer’s patients will develop CHRONIC ILLNESSES of their own and frequently DIE before the patient they are caring for. NOW there is NO CONVERSATION as opposed to other illnesses where the patient can still talk and understand.

- DISCUSSION that there are over 110 forms of Dementia.

- REPORT that everyone’s experience w/ Dementia IS DIFFERENT.

- REPORT that there is R.E.M. sleep and NON-R.E.M. sleep.  The NON-R.E.M. sleep is the IMPORTANT ONE.  That’s the time when the waste and toxins are washed out of our brains. This process happens very quickly.

- STATEMENT that the brain links electrical activity to the practical housekeeping of the body.

- DISCUSSION of how bad proteins lead to Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

- NEED TO KNOW; 1. Timelines are different. 2. Can be very aggressive. 3. Can diagnosis w/ an MRI or PET SCAN.

- REPORT that it is especially IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF DEMENTIA one is dealing with, and which part OF YOUR BRAIN IS DYING.

– REPORT on their DHC’s bi-monthly “THRIVE” support group for ALL LEVELS IS BACK. Open to clients, family, caregivers. They also have a ZOOM meeting. Call for the link. FREE CONSULTATIONS. Indian Wells group meets 1st and 3rd Wed., of each month. La Quinta group meets 2nd and 4th Wed., in Old Town. of each month.– (contact info: www.dementiahelpcenter.com and (760) 636-6355).