A few months after my husband’s death I began volunteering at a place called “the Gathering Place” which is a social program for people with beginning to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. My husband had a neurological disease also, but it was of an entirely different nature than Alzheimer’s disease. My husband’s disease caused eventual total physical disability whereas Alzheimer’s disease leads to memory loss and dementia.
In spite of this fact, working at the Gathering Place has given me a connection with my past. It has been said that once one has been a caregiver he or she is always a caregiver. Perhaps that is true at least in my case.
In any event recently at one of our volunteer meetings before the participants arrived at the Gathering Place an excellent DV was mentioned called “The Senior Gems.” This is put out by a group called Senior Helpers. I ordered this DVD and watched it.
This DVD is a guide for family members in supporting their loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Teepa Snow, an expert on this subject, is the speaker. The DVD explores what the various part of our brain do, and the effects of them no longer functioning properly. She also talks about stages of dementia and the behaviors associated with these stages. Finally, she talks about techniques that make a difference when working with someone who has dementia. Through this all she says we need to think of people with dementia as gems which need a special environment.
Anyone who wants one of these can have ONE few complimentary DVD. It can be ordered at
http://www.seniorhelpers.com/SeniorGems It is an excellent DVD. It can be easily listened to in one sitting, but also can be broken up into chapters. If you are a family caregiver who takes care of a loved one with dementia, perhaps you would like to order this DVD and watch it. I think you will find it very helpful. http://www.seniorhelpers.com/SeniorGems
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