Did you know that Texas Silver Alert legislation requires documentation of the missing person’s mental condition, prior to issuing an alert? If the family/legal guardian of the missing person is unable to provide documentation to law enforcement during a wandering incident, the physician could receive an emergency phone call. As a physician, it is important to be aware of the …
Forming Your Support Team
Caregiving often causes stress, which can result in increased health problems, disrupted social relationships, burnout, depression and decreased quality of care for their loved one. Too often caregivers don’t recognize their own needs or simply don’t know where to turn for help. It is essential for caregivers to seek the support of family, friends and community resources. Learning to ask …
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury for all ages. Those aged 75 and older have the highest rates of traumatic brain injury-related hospitalization and death due to falls. Doctors classify traumatic brain injury as mild, moderate or severe, depending on whether the injury causes unconsciousness, how long unconsciousness lasts and the severity of symptoms. Although most traumatic …
Financial and Medical Information You Need to Care for a Loved One
If you are responsible for caring for a loved one, you will need to organize your loved one’s medical information and medical/legal documents for effective caregiving. Here is an annotated list of information and documents for you to gather. Medical Information List of doctors—include name, specialty, phone number, and address for each. List of prescriptions—include name of drug, dosage, and …
Miraculous Music!
G. Allen Power, M.D. has redefined dementia from the perspective of the person living with dementia as, “Dementia is a shift in the way a person experiences the world around her/him.” What a universal human experience music can be. Music connects us with others who are present as well as connecting us with memories. Rhythm is usually preserved in a …
When End of Life Decisions are Difficult to Honor
This month we have a special guest author for our Alzheimer’s Texas Blog, Carmen Buck, former nurse practitioner who has helped many families cope with the challenges of dementia. Sarah and her father discussed his Living Will 10 years ago. Howard went to his attorney and updated his will, created a living will, a medical power of attorney (assigned his …
Celebrating the 25th Annual Travis County Alzheimer’s Texas Walk
Alzheimer’s Texas (formerly known as the Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas Chapter) has served Central Texas for over 30 years. This year, we commemorate two important anniversaries: the 25th Annual Alzheimer’s Texas Walk in Travis County, and the very first year that 100% proceeds for all 5 of our Walks will remain here in Central Texas, to be used …
Working with Facility Staff
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the person’s needs change, and the time will likely come when you aren’t able to care for your loved one at home. Ensuring that your loved one receives the care they need by finding an appropriate long-term care setting doesn’t mean that you’re no longer a critical component of their care team. On the contrary, you …
Helping Your Loved One Adjust to an In-Home Caregiver
As Alzheimer’s progresses, the person with the disease will likely need a level of supervision and assistance that one caregiver can’t provide without assistance. Often, this situation necessitates that professional caregivers come into the home. It’s not uncommon for people with dementia to resist this change. Having to spend the day with a person you’ve never met and allowing them …
#ALZTXmemories Photo Contest!
For 32 years, Alzheimer’s Texas has been a resource for people and families in Austin facing the challenge of dementia. We are committed to providing the services our community needs, and support for research that will one day make Alzheimer’s itself just a memory. We’re so committed to the needs of this community that, earlier this year, we separated from …