Caregiving |

June 6, 2015

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

What’s the Gift of Alzheimer’s?

This week Coach Dave and I spoke with Maggie La Tourelle, who is a writer, speaker, therapist and educator in holistic healthcare and wellbeing. She’s also the author of the book The Gift of Alzheimer’s: New Insights into the Potential of Alzheimer’s and its Care.

She shared the wonderful experiences and discoveries she made during her mother’s journey with Alzheimer’s, which Maggie describes as a “beautiful journey.”

When was the last time you heard someone refer to “The Gifts of Alzheimers” or it as a beautiful journey?

It’s more common to refer to Alzheimer’s as a tragedy and equally negative terms. Which is understandable. The person you knew before dementia usually disappears, and there are many losses associated with this.

Maggie shared her discoveries, including…

How her mother was able to surrender to the now and released her fear of death…

The power of emotional memory and how new emotional memories continue even in the last stages of Alzheimer’s…

How her mother found unconditional love and shared it with Maggie for the first time in Maggie’s life…

How they found the true source of happiness and love…

The transformation of both her mother’s final years and Maggie’s perspective on individual truth and awareness…

And more!

You can listen to the whole replay of this amazing hour we spent by signing up at www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com/webinar

Her book The Gift of Alzheimer’s: New Insights into the Potential of Alzheimer’s and its Care combines conversations Maggie and her mother had with Maggie’s insights and explanations. She explains what’s happening, and also gives specific examples of how to react to someone with dementia in unconditional love and acceptance.

And it also has an extensive reference section!

This book is an important affordable resource for family and professional caregivers of those living with dementia.

To your Happy&Healthy Caregiving,

Ina Gilmore, M.D.

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com

Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

P.S. One of the most delightful surprises of the webinar was how Maggie discussed many of the same things we talk about in our Mastering Caregiving Program. Check it out at www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com/programs

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What’s the Gift of Alzheimer’s?

Caregiving |

February 5, 2015

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

What Makes a Caregiver?

There are over 65 million caregivers in the U.S. who touch the lives of their carereceivers.

Peter Rosenberger has three decades of experience as a family caregiver. And he sums up why caregivers give care beautifully in this quote.

“If you love somebody, you will be a caregiver.

If you live long enough, you’ll need one.”

Peter Rosenberger

His book Hope for the Caregiver: Encouraging Words to Strengthen Your Spirit is now available in Kindle at a very low price.

Don’t have a Kindle? Amazon supplies free apps to read it on your computer or cell phone.

To your Happy&Healthy Caregiving,

Ina Gilmore, M.D.

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

See original here:
What Makes a Caregiver?

Caregiving |

August 11, 2014

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

National Family Caregiver Month: Recognizing Alzheimers Caregivers

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National Family Caregiver Month: Recognizing Alzheimers Caregivers

Caregiving |

July 29, 2014

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

How Can Knitting Patterns Lead to Balance in Life and Caregiving?

The first knitted dishcloth patterns I created were when caring for my mother Clara.

She liked cotton knit or crochet dishcloths, because they fit her hands better than woven ones. And the handmade ones also absorb water better.

A couple of years ago I made one for Valentine’s Day, and last year submitted it to the 2015 Day by Day Knitting Calendar. It along with my mitten Christmas tree ornament pattern were accepted.

My writing knitting patterns started when my life was out of balance. While considered part time, my position was 24/7 when my partner was off. Most of the time, I covered weekends and some nights. When he was on vacation, I was the sole partner. And caring for Clara who was in her 80s with more than one medical condition meant there was little time for caring for myself.

Balance in life seemed unreachable. Knitting and quilting were ways of bringing balance into my life and caregiving. I could knit and create patterns for things for Clara. Like dishcloths since she preferred the handmade ones to woven store ones.

She loved handmade Christmas ornaments, so using leftover sock yarn to knit ornaments was fun. Soon knit socks and even mittens graced the tree.

And slowly, balance edged back into my life. Time for things that were important but not urgent or emergencies. With knitting again, I relearned how to relax, and found other ways to feel as good. Clara enjoyed using my projects, and supervising their creation. As long as she was able, we made quilts together. She preferred the quilting, so I pieced them for her.

Is your life out of balance?

There’s a natural easy way to rebalance your life and keep it in balance. David Sheldon CPC, Health & Wellness Coach and I have a free teleseminar explaining this process on Tuesday August 5, 2015 at 8 PM Eastern called “How to Transform Caregiving From Burden to Blessing”. You will discover:

The true nature and source of these negative emotions

A Universal Law to easily change them and shift your perceptions
A simple yet powerful tool you can use every day that transforms lives

Join us to transform your life.

Reserve my seat now

See you there!

Dr. Ina

Ina Gilmore, MD Founder www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving, www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com
Purple Angel Ambassador for Dementia

Original Source:
How Can Knitting Patterns Lead to Balance in Life and Caregiving?

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How Can Knitting Patterns Lead to Balance in Life and Caregiving?

Caregiving |

May 29, 2014

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

How Does Alzheimers Research Spending Compare?

Alzheimers is one form of dementia. And it affects over 5.4 million Americans every year, yet the federal government’s research dollars don’t reflect its prevalence. Nor does spending line up with care costs compared to other diseases as this graphic illustrates…

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D.

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Read the original here:
How Does Alzheimers Research Spending Compare?

Caregiving |

May 18, 2014

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

When Should Adults Get Pneumococcal Vaccination?

Many adults don’t think about vaccinations. Often they are considered “only for kids”.

When it’s actually true that vaccinations are important for adults, too. Especially for potentially serious infections, and for people with potentially compromised immune systems. Probably including the person you care for.

How do you know? Well, your health care provider should be aware of the latest guidelines. And the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases has recently published the following article and infographic to help explain the need for pneumococcal vaccination.

Too Many Adults Lack Protection from Serious Infection

Should You Get the Pneumococcal Vaccination?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that many adults skip pneumococcal and other recommended vaccinations, leaving them needlessly at risk for serious illnesses and even death. As one example, about 73 million U.S. adults who are recommended for pneumococcal vaccination have not received it.

If you have children or grandchildren, you may know that they receive pneumococcal vaccines as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule. You might not be aware, though, that certain adults also need protection. Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, or blood poisoning (sepsis). It kills thousands of adults in the U.S. each year and sickens many more, leading to more than 175,000 hospitalizations annually.

“Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to your health,” says Dr. Thomas M. File, Jr., an infectious disease specialist and president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). “It’s important to know which vaccines you need as an adult to avoid serious illness.”

So, how do you know if you need pneumococcal vaccination? According to NFID, everyone age 65 and older and adults of any age who smoke or have certain health conditions should be vaccinated. These conditions include asthma; diabetes; heart, liver, lung or kidney disease; or HIV/AIDS or other conditions that weaken the immune system. (Click here to see a full list.)

The bacteria are spread through coughing, sneezing, or direct contact, such as kissing. Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but it’s most dangerous for those listed above. Most adults only need to receive one pneumococcal vaccination in their lifetime, though some will need more than one dose depending on age and personal health.

Dr. File advises that pneumococcal disease is a common complication of the flu. However, he emphasizes that adults can receive a pneumococcal vaccination at any time of year. He also urges adults to ask about other vaccines they may need including shingles, pertussis, or hepatitis.

“Vaccines are a simple and effective tool you can use to help protect your health now and in the future,” says Dr. File.

5 Reasons to Get Vaccinated for Pneumococcal Disease:

Pneumococcal disease is a potentially deadly infection that can strike quickly.

In its worst forms, pneumococcal disease kills one out of every four to five people over the age of 65 who get it.

Getting vaccinated is the safest, most effective way to protect yourself.

Even if vaccination does not stop you from getting the infection, it can reduce the severity, helping to keep you out of the hospital.

Medicare covers the cost of vaccination, and most private insurers will pay for those in at-risk groups.

For more information, visit www.adultvaccination.org

Original Source:

“National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)” via the San Francisco Chronicle

Click here to view the infographic if you can’t see it above.

If you and the person you care for should receive the pneumococcal vaccine, have you or they?

Why or why not? Leave a comment below.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

View original post here:
When Should Adults Get Pneumococcal Vaccination?

Caregiving |

May 7, 2014

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

How Can Palliative Care Become Your Partner in Caregiving?

I’m delighted to welcome Diane E. Meier, M.D. as a guest blogger for Caregiving With Purpose. Dr. Meier is Director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Co-Director of the Patty and Jay Baker National Palliative Care Center.

Palliative care differs from hospice. While hospice provides palliative care for the terminally ill, palliative care can also be given to patients with serious illnesses who also receive conventional including curative treatment.

Dr. Meier is an expert in palliative care, and understands the issues caregivers face with it. More than just caring for your loved one, palliative care includes support for the family and caregivers. Dr. Meier explains…

Palliative Care: Your Partner in Caregiving

Diane E. Meier, MD

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is an around-the-clock effort – one that can tap a family’s emotional, physical and financial resources. Many families go from crisis to crisis, putting out one fire here only to quickly react to another one emerging there.

Planning is essential to ensure that the needs of patients are met throughout the course of their illness and provide caregivers with resources to help them with the many decisions that lie ahead. This is one of the many things palliative care can do.

One of the roles of a palliative care team is to help family caregivers with emotional and practical support, such as treatment decisions and long-term care options.

Critical to this is making sure that you – the caregiver – are okay. What supports do you need to help keep you emotionally and physically well?

We want to know:

Are you sleeping?

Are you eating?

Are you depressed?

Do you take time for yourself?

Do you spend time with friends and family?

When a person has Alzheimer’s disease, the focus is on them. But illness happens to the family and primary caregivers bear an unusually high burden. To help the patient, we also have to help the family caregiver.

Family members can talk to the palliative care team about their many concerns, such as:

How can we get the best care for our loved one?

What should we do when she can no longer eat or drink?

How do we deal with her agitation?

How do we ensure her safety in the home and the community?

What at-home supports are covered by government agencies and insurance?

Palliative care teams help answer these and many other questions and guide the decisions that will lead to the best care possible. This allows you to be in the driver’s seat – fully informed about options and supported in the decision-making process.

How you can access palliative care

Ask your doctor or nurse about it.

Learn more about palliative care, including how to find it in your area by visiting www.GetPalliativeCare.org.

If your family member is in a nursing home or assisted living facility, or receives homecare services in New York State, you are entitled to palliative care services. Learn more at www.health.ny.gov.

The Alzheimer’s Association is also an excellent resource for caregivers and has local chapters throughout the country.

While palliative care can be a part of end of life care, it is not limited to the terminally ill. It can be part of the care of many serious illnesses, including Alzheimers disease and other dementias.

What do you think about palliative care and dementia? Leave a comment below.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D.

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

View original post here:
How Can Palliative Care Become Your Partner in Caregiving?

Caregiving |

April 7, 2014

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Climbing Mt Everest for Alzheimer’s Disease

Today is the start of an inspirational climb up Mt. Everest for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Kuntal Joisher, an Indian-born man who turned around his life to ascent Mt. Everest is attempting to scale the world’s highest peak starting today. His target date for completion is mid-June 2014.

His climb is in honor of his father who has Lewy Body Dementia, a form of dementia closely associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. When Kuntal crests the Summit, he plans to mark the accomplishment by setting the world record for sending the largest mass text from the highest peak in the world.

You can read more about it here…

Software Engineer Climbs Everest for a Cure
CallFire FUEL Program Ignites Kuntal Joisher’s Climb to Summit Mount Everest; Achievement to be Marked by First Mass Text from the Highest Point in the World

SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — CallFire, the cloud-based text and voice communications platform that enables organizations to reach their target audiences by phone in real-time, today launched the CallFire FUEL program. FUEL’s inaugural initiative will be sponsoring Kuntal Joisher, an inspiring individual who will be ascending Mt. Everest to raise awareness and funds to support dementia research and care. Joisher will ascend Mt. Everest is honor of his father, who is afflicted with Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive degenerative dementia of the elderly.

A video illustrating the inspiration behind Joisher’s expedition can be found here.

Joisher begins his climb this week, and is expected to summit Mt. Everest by mid-June. A map tracking his journey is available here, along with his daily audio diary. When Joisher reaches the peak, he will use the CallFire platform to send the first mass text from the highest peak in the world. Anyone who would like to get involved and receive this historical mass text can sign up by texting ‘EVEREST’ to 67076.

A CallFire employee, Joisher’s commitment to leading a healthier, vegan lifestyle and growing interest in amateur mountaineering inspired the challenge. As his passion for climbing developed, he set his goal to ascend Everest, thus realizing a lifelong dream while also raising funds to support dementia research and care. Joisher is one of the first known vegans to ascend Mt. Everest.

Joisher is the inspiration for the CallFire FUEL program, also launched today, an initiative that recognizes and supports the missions of Fearless, Unique, Exemplary Leaders. CallFire’s mission is to empower businesses of any size to communicate with the masses in order to attain their goals. The company is now bringing that mission to other communities, enabling individuals and organizations to express their passions and reach their goals.

To sign up to receive the first mass text sent from Mt. Everest, text ‘EVEREST’ to 67076. To learn more, or to make a donation to fund dementia research, care, and support, go to Fuel CallFire.

Show your support via social media with the tags #CalltoEverest, #GoKuntal and #CallFireFUEL.

Original Source:
Software Engineer Climbs Everest for a Cure

Wow!

Amazing how one person can inspire a company… and the world.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D. (Retired)

“The Knitting Dr.”

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com
Ambassador of Caregiving at www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Originally posted here:
Climbing Mt Everest for Alzheimer’s Disease

Caregiving |

March 3, 2014

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

What Can You Learn About Alzheimer’s Disease From the Senate Testimony of Seth Rogen?

Last week actor and Alzheimer’s activist Seth Rogen passionately spoke about Alzheimers disease.

And how his mother-in-law being diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimers Disease in her mid-50s has affected his family. It’s a powerful testimony, and I urge you to watch…

If you cannot see the video player, click here to watch now.

Did you know that that only two senators stayed for his testimony?

Yes, U.S. Senators are busy. They invited him to testify… yet the empty chairs show most committee members did not stay for his testimony. Is this…

A reflection on how Congress views Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a disease without a cure, without treatment that slows it and it affects enough people worldwide to become a global epidemic. A disease that’s widespread over a continent or the entire world is more than an epidemic — it’s a pandemic.

Does this explain why so little money is allocated for Alzheimer’s research?

How much money does the National Institutes of Research (NIH) spend on Alzheimer’s research?

In all fairness, it may be that some money is in categories other than Alzheimer’s. What is known of their 2014 estimated budget is that

$562 million in 2014 is targeted for Alzheimer’s research.
That translates to $1.77 per person in the U.S. For the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S.!
The amount is approximately 0.36 percent of the NIH allocated research budget. That’s about 1/3 of 1 percent!

Alzheimer’s disease is isolating, for the person with it, family and caregivers. As you can see from Seth Rogen’s unfortunate experience. I hope he got an apology from the committee!

Wondering about the isolation of Alzheimer’s?

You can find out more in the “Triumphing Over the Isolation of Alzheimer’s Telesummit.” While the live sessions have ended you can still get the replays by Joining the Alzheimer’s Telesummit now.

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!

Ina Gilmore, M.D.

Founder, www.CaregivingWithPurpose.com and www.TheKnittingYarn.com

Purple Angel Ambassador

Ambassador of Caregiving, www.HowToLiveOnPurpose.com

Here is the original post:
What Can You Learn About Alzheimer’s Disease From the Senate Testimony of Seth Rogen?

Caregiving |

February 5, 2014

| by Ina Gilmore, M.D. ("The Knitting Dr.")

Looking For Solutions to the Loneliness of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Caregiving?

Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias are among the loneliest diseases.

When I was growing up, it was cancer. So much so many people referred to it in whispers or “The Big C.” Then in the 1980s it was surpassed by AIDS. Now both of those have received more acceptance, while dementias seem to be lonelier than ever.

Just at the time when they are becoming more widespread.

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s,
Alzheimer’s is now the 6^th leading cause of death in the U.S.,
1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

Are you an Alzheimer’s caregiver or know one struggling daily?

It’s likely you will know someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, their caregivers or become a caregiver yourself.

While caregiving can be the best thing you ever do for love, it can also be the hardest. You can get so involved in giving care that your own wants and needs take a back seat, often ignored.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia can be additionally challenging and isolating.

Additionally, there’s a social stigma too often attached to Alzheimer’s and other dementias. People often are uncomfortable around someone with dementia. Even talking about dementia and the changes is brings can be upsetting and embarrassing.

Caregivers get included in this isolation due to the disease itself, the caregiving and the lack of time for a social life.

The causes of isolation are multiple and often chronic, easily going on for years.

That’s why I’m thrilled to have founded the first Alzheimer’s Telesummit for caregivers, February 1- through 15, 2014. It’s free and available online or by phone. No travel involved! Replays will be available if you can’t make the sessions “live.”

Click here now to join!

The “Triumphing Over the Isolation of Alzheimer’s: Simple Solutions for Family and Professional Caregivers” Telesummit is a place for experts in Alzheimer’s and other dementias to share their resources and information about Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It truly is a worldwide problem, affecting more people every day.

And predicted to just increase over the next few decades.

Wondering who will be speaking in this telesummit?

The speakers include…

Lori La Bey, Recognized as the #1 Alzheimer’s Influencer by Sharecare and Dr. Oz, speaking on “Improving Dementia Care Through Economical & Global Collaborations”. She explains how Memory Cafes, The Purple Angel Project and Dementia Friendly Communities reduce the isolation of Alzheimer’s care.

Five years ago on a summer vacation, James Creasey discovered new connections with his father in the silence and confusion of dementia. Playing croquet together, Maxwell smiled. And his family now had an activity to enjoy with their ‘Poppa’.

Since then, James has been running a weekly croquet program for the Alzheimer’s Association in Denver, Colorado. He founded Jiminy Wicket to make smiles for people living with dementia.

Janet Edmunson, Inspirational Author and Speaker with over 30 years experience in health promotion. She cared for her husband Charles who fought a degenerative neurological disease. Janet will speak on the “Importance of Positive Emotions for Caregivers.” She uses science, personal stories of caring for her husband during his neurological illness, and practical activities to explore positive ways to get through this challenging life experience.

Gary Joseph LeBlanc of Commonsense Caregiving will speak on “Alzheimer’s/Dementia Hospital Wristband Program.” How this simple program identifying dementia patients, alerting hospital staff to their special needs, and improving their care.

Lisa Hirsch, is a popular blogger with a worldwide audience. When her mother Ruth was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Lisa was surprised how it brought the two of them together. Her book, “My Mom My Hero” tells this mother-daughter story from entries in her blog.

And 12 more!

This is your opportunity to connect with these Alzheimer’s experts and with other caregivers who understand the isolation and pain of giving care to someone with dementia.

You need this information, and it won’t cost you a dime.

Join now to discover the secrets of moving from stressed to blessed… from isolated to nurtured… from just surviving to thriving!

Click here now to see the Speaker’s Schedule and Join This AMAZING Telesummit!

From my heart to yours… Laugh Well, Love Well and Live Well!