Stuffed Animals Bring Comfort to Dementia Patients

Lexington, KY – (February 22, 2012) In a time where families can often feel helpless in reaching their loved ones a new company, Memorable Pets, has released a line of plush stuffed dogs and cats to bring joy to dementia and Alzheimer’s patients and to serve as a connection point for family members.

The company, started by sisters Bettina Dickson Rusher and Frances Dickson, came to fruition after their mother began her battle with Alzheimer’s.  “Our mother had a real cat which she loved, but once the Alzheimer’s set in she was unable to care for it properly, so we bought her a stuffed cat to keep her company,” Rusher said. “We were amazed at the joy the cat brought her and how attached she became. Before we knew it we were producing animals and handing them out to other patients on her floor.”

Memorable Pets are based off the most popular cat and dog breeds and are lap-sized so they are large enough for adults to hold, flexible so they can be easily carried  and soft so they are soothing. Their eyes appear alert to keep patients engaged and a portion of the proceeds from every Memorable Pet sold goes back to fund Alzheimer’s care and research.

“Several studies have shown that interactions with a stuffed animal increase happiness  and provide a calming effect. They’re also a great way to allow patients, who often have to rely on everyone else for care, to be able to care for something themselves,” Dickson said.

Nurse Sarah Burdine noticed a strong attachment between one of her Alzheimer’s patients and Memorable Pets. “The Memorable Pet helped to calm my patient, especially when she was feeling agitated. Their special bond has been a true gift for the patient and for us to watch,” she said.

Aside from soothing the patient, Memorable Pets also provide a connection point for young children and their grandparents who may be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. When both the child and grandparent have a similar stuffed animal it gives them something to talk about that is familiar creating a special bond.

The company’s goal is to gain non-profit status for their Pets to People program which allows individuals, organizations and corporate sponsors to purchase a Memorable Pet for someone unknown to them. To participate in the Pets to People program or to order a Memorable Pet, which retails at $29.99 including shipping , visit  www.memorablepets.com.

About Memorable Pets: Memorable Pets was created by two sisters who are passionate about making a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. After losing their mother Betty Dickson, who deeply loved her Memorable Pet and held it in her arms when she died from Alzheimer’s disease, the sisters founded the company. Their goals are to provide therapeutic, realistic pets to help enhance the lives of people with Alzheimer’s or dementia, educate and raise awareness and money for Alzheimer’s care and research,  and honor their mother’s legacy. More information at www.memorablepets.com.

This week. we’re delighted to introduce you to Lucy, a German Shepherd, Shar-Pei cross who lives in Australia with her owner, Sally.

1. Name: Lucy

2. Breed:German Shepherd x Shar-pei

3. Owner: Sally

4. Favorite activity: Playing soccer with her tennis ball and being a “reading dog” to children with reading disabilities

5. Favorite snack: Dried liver

6. Favorite place to nap: On her trampoline

7. A story about how they are important to your caregiving life: My elderly mother lives in the USA (I live in Australia). She recently had a stroke and can no longer verbally communicate, but I keep in touch by sending weekly updates and photos featuring Lucy’s latest antics! My sister reports that Mom enjoys the photos and I’m pleased that the joy that Lucy brings into my life can be shared with others.

Thank you Sally and Lucy for being a part of our extended family!

Editor’s Note: To have YOUR pet featured, please send a photo along with the above information to info@intentionalcaregiver.com.  We’d LOVE to hear from you.

I received a lovely note from one of our readers this morning in response to this week’s newsletter.  In the newsletter, I had mentioned that  some people (myself included this year) find Valentine’s Day difficult due to either not having a sweetheart, being overwhelmed by caregiving duties or in some cases, financial strains.

I wanted to share one line from her note and I hope she doesn’t mind.  It is this: “For many, Valentine’s Day is a day to remember Love . . . current loves, past loves, lost loves, future loves . . . however, most of all the most important Love which is Love of ourselves.”

You know that I am constantly stressing the importance of self-care and self-love so this really resonated with me becomes sometimes I forget to apply that principle to myself!

So, thank you M, for that lovely note and reminder for all of us.  I will hang it on my bulletin board!

Now on to our next topic  and that is our new feature “Our Beloved Pets”.   Pets have become enormously important to families everywhere.  Perhaps it is because we have become so spread out that we’ve lost touch with our nuclear families or perhaps it’s because we’re living longer and don’t have the connections we once had.  Either way, pets play an important role and are often a part of the caregiving experience.

Because this feature is brand new, we haven’t received any pet portraits from our readers.  So I’ll start by sharing about my two schnauzers, Phoebe and Isabella.

BREED: Miniature Schnauzer

OWNER: Me (Shelley)

FAVORITE SNACK:  raw chunks of carrot

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: chasing the ball or for Isabella (and I hate to admit this)-scarfing down chicken poop

FAVORITE NAPPING PLACE:  Phoebe – on the stairs where she can guard the front door; Isabella – right beside any person who will let her lie there

MY STORY:  Towards the very end of my father’s life, he was having trouble breathing.  While we were helping to add more pillows to his bed and making sure the oxygen was working, we happened to glance over and noticed that both dogs were sitting in his favorite recliner in the corner, at attention and looking very concerned.  They knew something was wrong and wanted to make sure “Papa” was alright.

Out pets are amazing creatures and that’s why we want to honor them as caregivers here too.

I’d love for you to send me your pets’ photos and stories to share.

But love has no boundaries when it comes to age and as this darling video shows, life at the Los Angeles Jewish Home is spicier than you could probably imagine.

(I couldn’t help but notice how young-looking these seniors are. Could it be because of the blush of love?)

photo credit: bella_domanie

Botox Treatments for Urinary Incontinence in Seniors

The United States Food and Drug Administration approved Botox for use in treating urinary incontinence among elderly patients in August of 2011. Primarily conceived as a wrinkle-reducing alternative to plastic surgery, Botox has eluded many medical authorities with its growing applications in treating the symptoms of many conditions and diseases. So what is urinary incontinence, how does the use of Botox in New York and the rest of the country treat it, and what else can this drug do?

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence refers to uncontrollable urination. Episodes of incontinence are reportedly sporadic, varying in frequency and volume, but almost always create social anxiety in the patient. Urinary incontinence is almost always a symptom rather than a disorder in itself. As such, physical examinations and urinalysis tests should be conducted to reveal the cause of the problem.

Acute urinary incontinence can be caused by excessive consumption of water, alcohol, coffee, or a pre-existing condition such as a urinary tract infection. More chronic cases are associated with various surgical operations, aging, childbirth, prostate cancer, or bladder issues.

The most prevalent symptom of urinary incontinence is uncontrollable urination, which can be excited by stress, involuntary bladder contractions, or the bladder’s inability to empty itself. Related conditions, whether they are causal, resultant, or incidental, include urinary tract infections, bladder and prostate cancer, atrophic urethritis, endocrine disorders, and psychiatric disorders.

Why Botox?

Botox or botulinum toxin is a diluted neurotoxin, similar to the venom that snakes and other predators use to paralyze their prey. When safely administered, Botox acts as a long-term muscle relaxer. When used to treat urinary incontinence, Botox is directly injected to an overactive bladder. After an incontinent person is injected with Botox, they have much more control of the contractions involved with urination. No other medications or plastic surgery procedures have deterred urinary incontinence for as long as a single Botox injection, which the FDA says can relieve incontinence for as long as ten months.

Additional Uses

In addition to treating urinary incontinence, the use of Botox in New York and several other states has been FDA-approved to treat several other symptoms and disorders. Its primary use was to relieve muscle spasms of the eye. Since then, it has been cited to relieve hyperhidrosis, migraines, and even cerebral palsy. Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is inhibited by the gland-blocking effects of Botox injections. Similarly, research initiatives by the Baylor College of Medicine have suggested that Botox cures migraines by cutting off “pain pathways” in the nervous system. Finally, Botox allows young adults and children with cerebral palsy to better control their otherwise severe and unpredictable muscular contractions.

Botox Statistics

When compared to a placebo group, patients in an FDA clinical trial of almost 700 urinary incontinence sufferers said that they experienced fewer episodes of incontinence. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery recently released the number of procedures that have been conducted across the country, which is now more than 2,437,165. Roughly 17 percent of those procedures addressed urinary continence and related conditions. As it concerns the use of Botox in New York, the state’s 12 percent of elderly residents has undergone more than 100,000 botox injections since 2003.

Editor’s note: The above information was provided by PlasticSurgeryGuide.com. Please do not consider this as a recommendation.  It is simply presented for your information.  Check with your physician to decide whether this would be an appropriate treatment or to discuss other options for treatment of urinary incontinence.

Where the Heart Is: How to pay for home modifications

By Michelle Seitzer

Aging in place (AIP) costs considerably less than assisted living care, but it’s not free.

Though funds are dwindling for many senior-related programs (Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security have all spent ample time on the chopping block lately), there are still a number of federal, state, local and private organizations that offer financial support to seniors who want to stay where the heart is.

To begin – because first you might need to sell the idea to skeptical family members, or just figure out what modifications are needed before getting the capital to do it – get to know what services and resources are offered in your home state via these helpful sites:

• Search for home repair and modification resources in your region at Eldercare.gov.
• HomeMods.org is a national information clearinghouse on all things related to home modifications. Professionals and consumers alike can peruse an extensive resource directory on the site.
• Not sure if your own home or a senior loved one’s residence is adaptable for AIP? Most are, but the WellCome Home site helps you clearly see the potential and know where to direct your energies and efforts when it’s time to transform the home.
• Download this Home Safety Checklist from Rebuilding Together, Inc. to remove fall hazards and resolve accessibility issues, many of which may be implemented without spending a dime.

Should the need arise for assistive equipment (such as power chairs or stair lifts) or home modifications (like wheelchair ramps or door-opening systems), here are a few ways to ease the burden of purchasing or installing these costly components.

Claim a deduction. Russell Glickman, a DC-based home design and remodeling expert, recommends conferring with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to find out whether you or a loved one is eligible to deduct the cost of home modifications on your federal income tax. You need a written recommendation from your doctor as proof that the modifications are medically necessary. Glickman also states that you can claim a deduction for the costs of operating and maintaining the modifications, whether or not the stair lift, ramp, or other equipment qualified as a medical expense. Home improvements (or capital expenses) that may be deducted per the IRS.gov are as follows:

• Constructing entrance or exit ramps for your home.
• Widening doorways at entrances or exits to your home.
• Widening or otherwise modifying hallways and interior doorways.
• Installing railings, support bars, or other modifications to bathrooms.
• Lowering or modifying kitchen cabinets and equipment.
• Moving or modifying electrical outlets and fixtures.
• Installing porch lifts and other forms of lifts (but elevators generally add value to the house).
• Modifying fire alarms, smoke detectors, and other warning systems.
• Modifying stairways.
• Adding handrails or grab bars anywhere (whether or not in bathrooms).
• Modifying hardware on doors.
• Modifying areas in front of entrance and exit doorways.
• Grading the ground to provide access to the residence.

Note: You can only itemize these deductions if the main purpose of installation is medical care for you, a spouse or dependent (modifications made for aesthetic, architectural or other personal reasons do not qualify). Permanent improvements that boost your property’s value may be partially included as a deduction; in this case, the cost of the home modification is reduced by the amount of the property value increase (whatever the difference is what your qualified medical expense to deduct will be). If the home modification does not increase your property value, you can deduct the whole cost as a medical expense.

Visit the Area Agency on Aging. Every state offers different incentives, programs, and benefits to their senior residents. The best way to learn about them all, in addition to any tax credits or federal monies available through Medicare, Medicaid (in some states, you may be able to qualify for funding via the Medicaid HCBS – home and community-based services – waiver), HUD, the VA, or the USDA that would be disbursed through the state, is at your local Area Agency on Aging. The AAA is a one-stop-shop neighborhood branch of your state’s department that handles senior care (i.e. Department of Aging, Department of Public Welfare, etc.). Go to Eldercare.gov or N4A.org to find your AAA by zip code, city or county.

Apply for grants or take advantage of state assistive technology projects to make your home wheelchair accessible. According to HomeMods.org, funding is available for this specific modification through the Department of Veteran Affairs (call 800-827-1000 or your local VA for more details) and via the United Cerebral Palsy Association (call 800-872-5827). The IRS also permits those with disabilities to claim some of these expenses as a tax deduction. Check in with the National Council on Independent Living Center (call 703-525-3406) to get local funding information and referral services.

Get a loan to add a room. If Mom is moving in and she has health needs or disabilities, you may be eligible for government funding. FannieMae offers the HomeChoice program, Home Keeper program, and the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (get more details at http://www.efanniemae.com, or visit the local office). In Texas, New Mexico, California and Illinois, residents can apply for a Home Modifications Loan for Homeowners (with fixed interest rates and low minimum loan amounts) via Bank of America, under the “Access Loans” category. For more information, call 800-843-2632 (in CA, IL) or 800-900-9000 (in TX, NM).

Contact local foundations and non-profit organizations. Some may offer financial assistance or services referrals for those providing care for someone with disabilities or diseases like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Easter Seals and Rebuilding Together both offer low- or no-cost community-based home modification and repair programs.

Take out a second/reverse mortgage. If you have the equity, this is a good way to secure a loan for a home modification, which, if done well, should add value to the home as more people will be seeking homes where aging in place is possible. You must be over 62 to secure funding via a reverse mortgage. (Learn more about reverse mortgages here.)

Check your insurance policies and healthcare plans. The National Association of Home Builders says that some programs – auto insurance, worker’s compensation, long term care policies (some will cover the cost of major modifications in lieu of a transition to a long-term care facility), state catastrophic accident insurance plans, and medical trust funds – might cover the costs of a home modification.

If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, check with your care/case manager to find out if some home modification costs may be covered in the plan (note: those that do generally require participation in a care management program).

Move your parents in. If you have decided it’s best for Mom and Dad to just move in with you so you can provide care more readily, Glickman says you may be able to use proceeds from the sale of their home to make an accessible suite at your residence. He adds that adult children can avail themselves of the space in the future too, as their own care needs change.

Ready to consider a home modification for a family member’s residence, or your own? 101 Mobility has a full line of products (stairlifts, auto lifts, ramps, and more) and a team of highly-trained professional installers standing by to get AIP construction underway. Learn more about their services and find the local office serving you at http://101mobility.com/locator/.

Additional Sources:

• HomeMods.org
• NAHB.org

~Brother David Steindl-Rast

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”

~ Brian Tracy

I can’t say that 2011 has been my best year of life.  The other day, I thought to myself “I cannot WAIT for this year to be over.”  But really, what is going to happen to make my life better by just the turning of the date on the NEW calendar?

Because of the way my year has been going and because I have noticed a return to the process of being grateful, I began writing in my journal each night a list of things for which I was grateful.  Some days it was difficult; some days were easy.

As I began doing this, I realized that I have not been very good at expressing my gratitude to the people who needed to hear it.  Often I was too self-indulgent, or ego-centric to even think to do it!  And sometimes I was just plain “too busy”.

I needed to change my attitude about gratitude !

This is one of the reasons I became involved with The Gratitude Project – Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude.  I am pleased to be one of the featured authors in this inspiring work and I’m so excited that it is being launched TODAY!  In the book, I share not 1, but 2 stories…one about caregiving for my father and one (oddly enough) about why I’m grateful for my EX-husband (WHO would write about that?)

You can find out WHY I wrote these stories by getting your own copy of The Gratitude Project and read all of the 363 other inspiring stories, as well!  It would also make a lovely gift, especially in this economy when everyone could use some uplifting stories.

Today is our official launch day and because of that, I am hoping that you will consider purchasing the book today because we are trying to make it to the Amazon Best Seller’s list!

Our net proceeds from retail sales are proudly donated to:

• Feeding America
• Women for Women International
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (A.S.P.C.A.)

I would love if you would purchase one or two of the books to use for yourself or as gifts for your family and friends!

PS I know that some caregivers would like to write a book of their own, maybe a memoir on caregiving or about the loved one for whom you care.  My editor is offering $500 worth of gifts to help write and publish your book if you buy The Gratitude Project AND My Favorite Christmas Memories today. (When you buy both, there’s a discount AND you get free shipping.)

More details can be found here!

I thought I would just leave this little “gift” up for the remainder of the holidays in case anyone finds it
useful.  But feel free to hop about the site and explore any articles of interest.

To receive your gift, right click on the words “holiday recipes”  BELOW and then click on “Save Target as” to save it in your files.  Be patient because it’s a large file and may take awhile to download.

Merry Christmas!  Happy Holidays!

Shelley

PS Remember that if you need any geriatric care management services, we are here for you!