Alzheimer’s Caregivers: Webinars!

[Wendy Gammon, M.A., M.Ed.]

If you read my last blog, you will know that in addition to getting a newsletter out to those of you interested in Alzheimer's news and resources, I would also like to create some "webinars" for you. These are seminars you can tune into right over a cup of tea and the internet in the warmth and comfort of your home base! Each webinar focuses on one topic, so those of you with interest in a specific area can get information you need by participating. To that end, we at Wego are reaching out to you for your ideas and "wish list" for Alzheimer's related webinar topics. As described in my first newsletter, a good friend Janet was clear that with more resources, knowledge and support in the legal and financial aspects involved in her mother's transition to a nursing home, she would have been wiser and more informed when making those painful life-changing decisions.

A webinar can also focus on a topic of interest, something about the disease that would helpful to know or interesting to learn. My particular interest in Alzheimer's includes the latest breakthroughs in the science of this disease process, and results of recent clinical trials and newer drugs offering hope and relief, if not a complete cure. Other topics can be a discussion of how Alzheimer's is regarded and treated among different cultures, or special needs you may have as a AD caregiver.

So...........I am all ears, waiting to hear from you! What is it you would like----or need----to know?

[Wendy Gammon, M.A., M.Ed.]

Ellen, thanks so much for your thoughts. This is a great idea and like your story, I also experienced a recent episode with a close friend. She had been frankly so overmedicated by multiple specialists for different issues that she eventually could no longer focus, and lost short term memory. She soon became somewhat unglued with fear of Early Onset AD. An observant physician removed her from all meds, then did a CT scan of her head that was a definitive NO for AD. Yes, a good idea------we can develop a webinar on not only what to look for, but also how to get that definitive diagnosis.
Not all roads lead to the final destination you had in mind.......and that can be a good thing!

[Ellen S]

Hi Wendy,

I love the idea of webinars, and think this is a terrific question to ask!

How about... How to look for a diagnosis if you suspect Alzheimer's, either for yourself or a loved one?

I don't personally know anyone right now with Alzheimer's, but a friend's father is in the last few days of his life after a diagnosis of Cerebral Atrophy. Getting a diagnosis was difficult because they didn't really even know where to begin.

I know when my B12 levels were low, my thyroid was mis-behaving, and the Migraines were especially bad, the memory was gone and functioning was very poor. We all wondered if something was happening, but couldn't get a physician to consider anything but psychological issues, or simply got the answer "that's not my field of expertise". Thankfully I pushed and got some answers, but not after a lot of difficulty, and as a result it's not likely that I'll ever get my old memory and brain function back again the way that it was. I can't help but think that this must be hard on many people, especially with early onset issues.