Alz In The Fam

Alzheimer's & Psychedelics - A New Pathway to Treatment w/Del Potter, PhD

New research into psychedelics show promising treatment options for Alzheimer’s and dementia. In Episode 21, the Fair siblings sit down with Dr. Del Potter, PhD – a scientist studying the benefits of psychedelic compounds on brain-related diseases and conditions like dementia, depression and PTSD.

Del Potter, PhD is the chief science officer and founding member of ZBN Research. He received his Ph.D. in Medical Anthropology from UC Berkeley in 1980, specializing in Ethno-psychopharmacology, the phytochemistry, and extraction of psychoactive indigenous botanical pharmacopeia and their cultural significance, and psychiatric anthropology.

Dr. Del Potter shares information on the benefits, availability and future of psychedelic treatment for Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases. Potter also discusses the origin of medicinal use of psychedelics.

Research shows that psychedelic compounds have positive effects on targets in the brain that may cause Alzheimer’s. As this research becomes more mainstream, more clinical trials and treatment options are becoming available for people predisposed to Alzheimer’s or dementia and those with mild cognitive impairment.

Dr. Potter also discusses the treatment options available, including a micro dosing approach that minimizes the psychoactive effects but still shows positive results. This could be a promising option for those with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s.

While research is promising, Dr. Potter expresses concerns for the future of medicinal use of psychedelics, as it does become more mainstream and adopted by big pharmaceutical companies.

Overall, the outlook on psychedelic treatment for Alzheimer’s and other brain-related diseases is positive. Dr. Potter shares incredible insights that provide hope for the future of Alzheimer’s research.

To read the article mentioned in Episode 21, go to: https://bit.ly/3szWXRd

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Alzheimer's and The Covid-19 Vaccine

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is a big decision. In Episode 20 of #AITF, the four Fair siblings discuss the difficulties of making the decision for someone else – their Mom.

During this episode, the siblings use a Q&A article from alz.org to guide them in their conversation. The article answers frequently asked questions from caregiver and people living with Alzheimer’s about the COVID-19 vaccine.

In the fall of 2020, Poli, Allan Trissi and Boni had to begin weighing the pros and cons of having their mom vaccinated against COVID-19. For one, Carmen has already contracted and recovered from COVID and has opted for a more holistic medical approach her whole life. But the siblings also understand that a vaccine can help relieve their mom of the isolation she faces in her facility.

After weighing the pros and cons, Carmen has now received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Her memory care facility made an otherwise stressful situation for her, as smooth as possible.

Now that Carmen has successfully received her first dose, her second dose is coming soon. The siblings have to make a decision on whether or not she will get that one too. The second dose seems to have more side effects, which has raised concern in the family. The worst fear is that the symptoms could place Carmen confused and alone in the hospital.

Listen as the siblings discuss the challenges that come with making a decision for someone who can no longer make those decision herself, the fear of making a wrong decision and how they overcome these challenges as a family.

Check out the article that has guided this discussion here: http://bit.ly/2MMSTxe.

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Alzheimer's and Home Helper Services - A Chat w/ Chris Kondracki

Care Coordinator and Owner of Always Best Care, Loudoun VA, Chris Kondracki joins Alz In The Fam for the very first episode of 2021! In episode 19, Allan, Poli and Boni sit down with Chris to discuss his experience as an owner and coordinator of a senior home care service company.

Always Best Care in Loudoun, VA offers Home Care with Non-Medical professionals such as companionship services & home helper services, Personal Care services and placement services for residential care.

In this interview, Chris and the siblings discuss the different types of senior care, what Chris has learned about caregiving over the years and how Always Best Care provides the best care for its patients.

While his company provides assistance to all seniors, Chris has learned quite a bit about dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients throughout his career. Listen to hear his unique expertise on getting help for your loved ones, caring for someone with Alzheimer’s and how to navigate the challenging task finding care may be for your family.

Check out Always Best Care, Loudoun VA online here: https://www.alwaysbestcare.com/va/leesburg/.

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with Chris, reach out to him at his email -ckondracki@AlwaysBestCareLoudoun.com 

 

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Alzheimer's - Advice from Caregivers, For Caregivers

Advice for caregivers, from caregivers is the topic in Episode 18 of Alz In The Fam. The four Fair siblings sit down to share the best caregiving tips and tricks that they have learned from their own experiences and from others.

The first tip the siblings share is the power of music. Putting on your loved one’s favorite music can help change the mood and stimulate positive feelings. The siblings each have a specific playlist or radio station to put on when they want to change Carmen’s mood.

Many studies have been done on the positive effects of music on brain health, such as this NIH study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6022981/.

Probably one of the most important tips to take away from this episode is the importance of finding support as a caregiver. Caregiver burnout is real and very isolating. Remember to ask for help when you need and take care of your own health, both mental and physical.

Look to family or friends to confide in and take advantage of resources to help you when you need a break. For example, check out this Village in the DC Metro area that offers help to seniors in the community: https://bit.ly/3oChAtL

Poli, Boni, Trissi and Allan share many other tips that they’ve picked up along the way. Check out the episode to hear more valuable tips, from how to defuse tense situations to how to keep your loved one feeling occupied and helpful.

And check out these caregiver resources:

https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/caregiving-it-takes-a-village

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/baby-boomers-join-aging-at-home-villages-for-yoga-happy-hour-ladies-night-out-tech-class-and-biking/2017/05/04/7fdf5a78-1a2a-11e7-855e-4824bbb5d748_story.html?utm_term=.176a9fff1d0e

https://dailycaring.com/5-coping-tips-for-the-overwhelmed-caregiver/

 

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Alzheimer's - Memories of Grandma & Her Love

Even as her Alzheimer’s progresses, Grandma’s love for her family shines through. In a very special Episode 17 of Alz In The Fam, Carmen’s grandchildren share their best memories of their Grandma, both before and after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Allan, Poli, Trissi and Boni introduce their children who offer stories about their grandma, Carmen. Across all of the stories, one thing always remains – Carmen’s deep love and support for her family, even as her Alzheimer’s progresses.

From sleepovers with Grandma to sporting events and life milestones, the grandchildren reminisce on Carmen’s constant affection, attention and unwavering support. Each story that they told illustrates the tight bond that Grandma formed with each of her grandchildren. She has been a formative figure in each grandkid’s life.

Carmen’s love for her family, and especially her grandkids, has not been diminished by Alzheimer’s. Even as her memory changes, her love for her family has not. This episode highlights the strength of love between a grandchild and grandma. Listen now to meet the grandchildren and hear their stories.

 

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Alzheimer's - Searching for Mom's New Home

Aspects to consider when choosing a care facility for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia is the topic of Alz In The Fam Episode 16. In this episode, the four Fair siblings discuss their journey to find the right place for their mom, Carmen, to live.

 

When searching for the correct facility for their mom, the Fair siblings had three important criteria that it had to meet; it had to be financially doable, close to family and meet their mom’s social, physical and mental needs.

 

Poli, Boni and Trissi surveyed many different facilities with various offerings before selecting one that seemed like a good fit for Carmen. They looked at places strictly for memory care patients, extended care facilities, assisted living communities, religiously affiliated care centers, and every other option available, all with their own sets of pros and cons.

 

Ultimately, the four siblings decided that their proximity to Carmen was most important because families still need to participate in their loved one’s care, even once they move. After consulting with a company to help narrow down their search, the siblings found a place walking distance from Poli that seemed like a great fit for Carmen.

 

The place that they chose, where Carmen still lives, was a new facility with a great management team. Most importantly, Carmen’s floor also has a balcony where she can enjoy the outdoors – her access to outside space was a huge consideration in their selection process.

 

Most interestingly to the siblings is how quickly an Alzheimer’s patient’s needs can change within a few years. When the Fair family began their search for a facility in 2015, their priorities for Carmen’s care were different than they are now, in 2020, as her Alzheimer’s has progressed; facilities that once would not suit Carmen now may seem like a better fit than where she currently lives.

 

Overall, the process of picking the correct care facility is overwhelming and challenging, but having Carmen close to family and in a place where she feels safe and adjusted is most important.

 

 

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Alzheimer's - Caregiver Book Club

In Episode 15 of Alz in the Fam, the four Fair siblings each share a book that has helped them in the Alzheimer’s caregiving journey. These books, while all different, all have helped the Fair siblings grapple with the topic of Alzheimer’s.

First up, Boni shared a book called Elizabeth is Missing  by Emma Healey, a fiction book that shares the story of Maud, an aging grandmother, and her family as she descends into Alzheimer’s. For Boni, Maud has many similarities to their mom, Carmen, and the book is both relatable and moving. Maud and Carmen are both strong willed, independent women who are aware of peoples’ moods around them, even as their memories fade.

Trissi discussed her book next – How to Talk So Kids Can Learn by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. While its originally written for kids, Trissi has found many tips that are incredibly helpful to interacting with and respecting the emotions of Carmen, such as ‘indulge in their fantasies’ and ‘make it feel like their decision’.

For Allan’s choice, he shared The Urban Monk by Pedram Shojai – a book that taught him how to find satisfaction with stillness and create habits that increase his overall wellbeing. This book helped him grapple with the guilt and frustration he felt due to the distance from his mom and her Alzheimer’s progression.

Lastly, Poli brought Brain Food by Dr. Lisa Mosconi as her book of choice. Dr. Mosconi is both a neuroscientist and a certified integrative nutritionist and in this book, she shares what food our bodies require to best benefit our brains. She has even recreated the typical food pyramid to showcase what we should really be eating. Poli has taken a lot of her tips into practice, as the right diet can help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Funny enough, all four siblings discovered that they eat the same breakfast every day – a meal full of the foods that Dr. Lisa Mosconi encourages us to eat.

All of these books are available on Amazon! While the Fair siblings are no experts, the authors that they shared here are. These books have really helped the Fair family in their caregiving process and encourage anyone in a similar situation to check them out, whether they are on their own mental health journey or that of a loved one.

 

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Alzheimer's Care & Technology

In Episode 14 of Alz In The Fam, Poli, Allan and Trissi discuss technological resources that have impacted their caregiving. As their mom’s Alzheimer’s progresses, they have found quite a few technologies that really benefit their caregiving.

One of the first technologies that the family adapted was a DayClox DigitalClock. This clock has the day and date on the face of it, and really helps orient their mom each day. To troubleshoot another large problem, the family also tried a Med-E-Lert Locking Automatic Pill Dispenser that helped them monitor their mom’s pill intake.

Out of all of the technology that the Fair family has adapted to best care for their mom, one of the most useful is the Apple Watch 6 that their mom wears. The Apple Watch has many health and safety features that helps the family monitor their mom, even from afar.

There have been some downsides to this tech, however. For example, there is a button on the watch that automatically dials 911, and their mom, Carmen, has pressed that twice. Also, Carmen does not always remember to charge the watch, so the family cannot always rely on this device.  

Along with that, their mom has an iPhone XR to pair with the Apple Watch. This phone’s picture sharing capabilities are also a big draw, as it allows their mom, Carmen, to scroll through pictures and find joy through that. Carmen also uses an iPad, where the family has found great brain games to both entertain her and engage her mind. Her favorite app is the jigsaw puzzle app.

Medically, three tech resources have made huge improvements in their Alzheimer’s care – the new Patient Portals online for doctors office, the Scanner Pro app for the iPhone and at home urine test strips to check for UTIs. The online portals for doctors’ offices have made communication between the family and doctors more convenient, which is a great help.

When Carmen was still living alone, the family adopted some home tech advancements, such as a programmable thermostat, a home security system and the Logi Circle Wifi Home Security Camera. This security camera helped the family monitor their mom’s movements even when they couldn’t be there in person. While this was a huge positive, it was also hard for the Fair siblings to watch their mom live on her own and see how she behaved by herself.

The future of Alzheimer’s technology also looks bright. With young inventors creating new products like socks with sensors in them or apps specifically for Alzheimer’s patients, it is comforting to see tech in this space constantly improving. 

If you’re a caregiver, check out the links to these products above and let us know what other tech you use to help your care!

 

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Alzheimer's - Stages of Caregiver Grief

Caregivers suffer from Alzheimer’s too. In Episode 13 of Alz In The Fam, the four Fair siblings discuss how their mom’s Alzheimer’s disease affects each of them.

Following a resource from the Alzheimer’s Association, the siblings dive into the stages of grief that caregivers often face - denial, anger, guilt, sadness and acceptance. At each stage of grief, the siblings share their experiences with the emotion and how, or if they have overcome it.

A major stage for all four siblings was guilt. They feel guilty about not being able to do enough for their mom, not being able to spend enough time with their mom, for their anger and frustration with the disease, and much more.

COVID-19 has also put a wrench in the Fair family’s care for their mom, as it has for many families. The effects of COVID-19 have definitely increased the feeling of anger and sadness that each sibling feels.

Ultimately, all four siblings are moving towards acceptance. While it is hard to accept the fate of Alzheimer’s, acceptance has helped the Fair family move forward and keep fighting for their mom.

One thing for the Fair family is certain – every day is the best it’s ever going to be. Each day may get harder than the last, but the family is in It together. Allan, Poli, Trissi and Boni are grateful every day to have siblings who are there to support them.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is very emotionally taxing, but the emotional health of caregivers is not often considered. If you know of any caregivers, remember to check in on them.

If you are a caregiver, check out Alzheimer’s Association’s resources on caregiver health, such as the article referenced in this show: https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/caregiver-health/grief-loss-as-alzheimers-progresses

 

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12. Covid-19, Isolation, & the New Normal in Memory Care Facilities

In Episode 12 of Alz In The Fam, the four Fair siblings discuss COVID-19 and its ongoing effects on Memory Care Facilities. Due to COVID-19, many of the residents of these facilities are facing severe and damaging isolation, such as their mom.

To protect the health of the residents, Memory Care Facilities, like their mom’s, are taking extra precautions to shield residents and staff from sickness. These precautions, however, have a negative effect on the residents.

As the Fair siblings state, their mom was moved into a senior living community to avoid the isolation that many seniors face when living alone. The pandemic, however, has left their mother isolated, confused and uncomfortable.

Since March, the Fair family have only been able to see their mom in person once. All other communication is done over Facetime, which puts a strain on the communication they have with their mom.

When their Mom’s Memory Care facility did open again, after all staff and residents had two consecutive negative tests, it only opened for outdoor visits in the extremely hot and humid July weather. Two days later, a staff member tested positive and the facility shut down again. Allan has been unable to see his Mom in person for more than six months. 

The Fair siblings are not allowed to take their mom out for family gatherings or for excursions to the hair or nail salon, or for a walk. These outings were a way for the siblings to take care of their Mom and give her a chance to socialize or enjoy a change of scenery.

It is devastating to the Fair family that they cannot hug their Mom. And because they cannot visit her inside or take her for outings, the siblings are constantly worried about how well her hygiene is being monitored. They also worry if their Mom recognizes herself with her now gray hair.

So many residents passed away during the COVID-19 shutdown that the Fair sibling’s Mom had to be moved to a new room and floor in her facility. Her floor lost more than half of its residents to COVID-19 or complications of other diseases exacerbated by COVID. The siblings are worried about their Mom adjusting to a new room and bed especially with the challenge of advanced Alzheimer’s Disease. This transition has been difficult on their mother, and the siblings can see how upset it has made her.

Their mom is still unable to go for outdoor walks due to COVID-19, causing her to gain weight, and has suffered from the extreme isolation required to bring the COVID-19 outbreak under control.

The siblings discuss how difficult it is to have their Mom at a senior facility with all the measures in place to preserve and protect their Mom’s physical health. They debate how on the one hand this helps to prolong her life and the lives of other residents and staff, but on the other hand it is prolonging a now sad and lonely time for their Mom. For similar reasons, the siblings also debate signing off on the flu shot for their mother given their Mom’s history of refusing the shot. 

Poli and Allan also discuss how Coronavirus patients with dementia in the U.S. who are hospitalized, are not allowed to have a caregiver go with them. When they were guests on “The D Word” radio show Allan and Poli learned that the UK has a rule that requires hospitals to allow a caregiver to join dementia patients in the hospital.

The Fair siblings hope that Memory Care Facilities can find a balance that will help families and their loved ones reconnect, while still maintaining the safety of all parties involved. They hope, more than anything, that they can give their mom a hug soon.