The Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County firmly believes that an educated caregiver experiences less stress, and has a higher quality of life and can offer a higher quality of life to the person with dementia for which they are caring. There is hope and hope to be found, and treasured memories to be made on this journey of memory loss. It is our passion and mission to provide you with the education you need to help you experience these things.
We have a wonderful resource library with books and DVD’s that you can check out for free. We offer a variety of workshops and seminars to increase your knowledge on dementia topics. We also have many wonderful free booklets available at our office from the NIH regarding various topics on dementia caregiving. Our educational resources are for everyone. Even if you’ve been caring for those with dementia for years, keep in mind: you don’t know what you don’t know!
A Dignified Life
By Virginia Bell, MSW & David Troxel, MPH Alzheimers Alliance Price: $7.00
Troxel and Bell offer an enlightened new approach to Alzheimer's care. A Dignified Life will become a practical, life-enhancing resource for anyone faced with the daunting responsibility of caring for someone with Alzheimer's, either at home or in a medical facility. The book outlines strategies for understanding and care giving utilizing the Best Friends Approach to Alzheimers Care. Highly recommended!
The 36-Hour Day
By Nancy L. Mace, M.A. & Peter V. Rabins, M.D., M.P.H. Alzheimers Alliance Price: $10.00
Revised in 2006 for its twenty-fifth anniversary, this best-selling book is a great reference for families caring for people with Alzheimer disease. The new edition includes: new information on diagnostic evaluation -resources for families and adult children who care for people with dementia -updated legal and financial information -the latest information on nursing homes and other communal living arrangements -new information on research, medications, and the biological causes and effects of dementia.
Alzheimer’s From the Inside Out
By Richard Taylor, PhD Alzheimer’s Alliance Price: $15.00
Thoughtful and self-reflective, this collection of illuminating essays offers a rare glimpse into the often incomprehensible world of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease. Diagnosed at age 58, psychologist Richard Taylor shares a provocative and courageous account of his slow transformation and deterioration, and of the growing divide between his reality and the reality of others. “Alzheimer’s from the Inside Out” is a captivating read for anyone affected by this mind-robbing disease. Individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease will take comfort in the voice of a fellow traveler experiencing similar challenges, frustrations, and triumphs. Family and professional caregivers will be enlightened by Taylor’s revealing words, gaining a better understanding of an unfathomable world and how best to care for someone living in it.
Creating Moments of Joy
By Jolene Brackey Alzheimer’s Alliance Price: $12.00
Both professional and family caregivers will enjoy this book chockfull of practical solutions and insights. Jolene’s “can do” approaches maintain individual dignity and enhance life quality for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Book sections include “Understanding the Person with Alzheimer’s,” “Powerful Tools That Create Positive Outcomes,” “Let’s Talk Communication,” “Memory Enhanced Environments,” and “Enhanced Moments.”
newsletter-Summer2011-web-quality.pdf
newsletter-Spring2011-final-web.pdf
www.alznews.org - Daily Alzheimer's E-Newsletter discussing research, current topics
www.alzstore.org - Products to assist those with AD.
www.askdrjamie.net/careconnection.html - FREE weekly telephone support network service for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses.
www.benefitscheckup.org - Nation-wide screening service for benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources.
www.bestfriendsapproach.com - Describes the "Best Friends Approach" to caring for someone with AD.
www.caregiver.org - Family Caregiver Alliance
www.livingthroughwindows.com - Intimate, personal profiles of living with AD, message boards.
www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-disease/DS00161 - information, caregiving tips.
www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ - information, current clinic trials, AD Research Centers
www.texaslawhelp.org - Click on Elder Care for Elder Law information (Power of Attorney, Guardianships, Wills, etc) and downloadable forms.
www.alzfdn.org - Alzheimer's Foundation of America
www.alz.org - National Alzheimer's Association
www.alzforum.org - FDA approved treatments for AD, Research news
Alzheimers Alliance neither endorse the information, content, presentation or accuracy, nor make any warranty, express or implied, regarding any external site.
www.ahaf.org/alzheimers/ - American Health Assistance Foundation, AD Research
www.webmd.com/diseases _ and _ conditions/alzheimers.htm - AD information, caregiving tips
www.atcog.org - Area Agency on Aging of East Texas: Services (benefits counseling, legal Assistance, Home-delivered meals, Meal Sites, Ombudsman & Transportation), Care coordination and Caregiver Support (In-Home assistance, Respite & Home modification for access, & Emergency Response System)for the Elderly of East Texas.
www.webmd.com/diseases _ and _ cimersartspeaks.com - Helping those with Alzheimer's gain expression through art and enlighten those around them.
Click HERE to see a list of our educational events.
In 2011, the Alzheimer’s Alliance was awarded a grant by The Women’s Fund ( http://womensfundsc.org/ ) to develop a Physician’s Outreach Program. The Alzheimer’s Alliance is reaching out to the medical professionals in Smith County – educating them about our services and encouraging them to connect their patients who have been diagnosed with any form of dementia to our organization. Be believe caregiver burn out is treatable and preventable. We would love to be considered a part of the patient’s care team from the day of diagnosis of any form of dementia. No one has to walk this road alone.
Dementia Care Professionals of America ( www.careprofessionals.org ) is a branch of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America ( www.alzfdn.org ). DCPA offers a 2 part training series about caring for those with dementia. “Presented in a practical and user-friendly fashion, the program provides essential information for the safe and effective care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and all other types of dementia.”
This training can be completed in the comfort of your own home. You simply go online to order the materials at www.careprofessionals.org . Once you place your order, they will mail you a set of DVD’s for you to watch and keep. “An accompanying CD-ROM includes numerous fact sheets and learning guides for each section, as well as test instructions, questions and answer sheets.” Once you have watched the videos, you will be required to complete a test, and mail it back to DCPA. If you pass the test, you will have earned a qualification (that means letters behind your name!) There are 2 levels of qualification, one designated for each part of the series. CEU’s are available for a few professions.
**This program is not affiliated with the Alzheimer’s Alliance . We simply want to spread the word about the training, and we encourage everyone who cares for those with dementia to complete the training. It’s excellent informat ion!
The Alzheimers Alliance of Smith County is offering educational seminars to professional caregivers of individuals with Alzheimers disease and other dementias with the goal of improving overall care and understanding. We are excited that you are interested in learning more about this opportunity.
The seminars are based on The Best Friends Approach, co-authored by David Troxel, MPH and Virginia Bell, MSW. This is the official model of care adopted by the Alzheimers Alliance of Smith County. This approach, in essence, encourages caregivers to get to know the life story of their patient, and to develop a relationship that is much like one of a best friend. This approach serves to enhance the quality of life for both the patient and the caregiver. For more detailed information on this approach, you can visit www.bestfriendsapproach.com.
These training sessions are FREE of charge. Each session can be tailor-fit to your agencies goals and needs. Generally, there are four seminars that are offered:
1. Introduction to The Best Friends Approach
2. The Best Friends Approach to Communication
3. The Best Friends Approach to Activities
4. The Best Friends Approach to Managing Challenging Behaviors (bathing, dining)
5. Memory Matters (Aging Successfully)
These seminars take approximately 1 1.5 hours. If your staff is only available on one day, and you would only like to host one workshop, we can talk about what exactly you would like covered at that time.
We do request and STRONGLY recommend that at least one member, if not all members, of your leadership team be present for the seminar(s). What we teach is a culture shift. For change to truly take place and be most effective, all members of the team must be educated and on board.
If you are interested in scheduling a seminar, please contact Erin Albright, Education Coordinator at: 903-509- 8323, or by email: erin_alzalliance.org.
Throughout the year, educational events targeted toward professional caregivers of those with dementia are approved for continuing education credit for a list of different professions. Please see our activity calendar to find the next CEU event, or contact Erin Albright, Education Coordinator ( erin_alzalliance.org ) with any specific questions! Were always looking for new ideas for educational offerings!
12 tips for long distance care.pdf
CommunicationTechniques.pdf
Dos and Donts of Communication.pdf
The Best Friends Approach to Communication.pdf
CareCrossroads.org is the Alzheimers Foundation of Americas dynamic, interactive community of care specifically designed to meet the educational, emotional, practical and other emerging needs of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimers disease and related dementias. Using whichever communication type fits your convenience and comfort level (chat, SKYPE, discussion boards, video, blog, social media sites & more), we invite you to meet, learn and connect with caregivers and professionals to ease your caregiving journey.
Bathing and Personal Care (Pink).pdf
ProblemBehavior.pdf
Dealing with Anger.pdf
Making Meals easier.pdf
211 Winchester
Tyler, Texas 75701
Tel: 903.509.8323
Fax: 903.509.8373
Email: info_alzalliance.org
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