Happy Valentines Day All

Hi, How is everyone? I need to post the next ten of the 101 ways to spend time with a person with Alz's from the list I got from the Alz's walk . I am sorry it has been so long. I am busy with work , boyfriend and trying to make time for family. As you know my son is getting married in May and he just Graduated from College in  Dec. Now he is looking for a job in Civil Engineering here . He does not want to move away.
Anyway all good. I still pray for mom every night. Than remember she is not here. I guess it is an auto pray. That is not good. I need to change it up and really talk to God. I do when I have things I need to talk about but when all is good it is the same old thing. Sorry Lord. And  thanks for good times.
21.Cut pictures out of greeting cards or magazines. I do this after every Christmas . Cards anyway. I use the verses and pictures for name tags on gifts next Christmas.
22. Play Dominoes. One of my clients I work with now loves to play cards and do puzzles. I brought her home with me once so her mom could have respite and we forgot her cards and puzzles . I pulled out the dominoes. She played on them till bedtime.
23.Ask the person about his or her favorite childhood books or cartoon characters. Share yours too. Mom only watched her Soaps . While I was growing up nothing got done during her Soaps.
24.Bake homemade bread.
25.Sort objects by shape and color
26.Sing old songs.
27.Invite the person to tell you more when he or she talks about a memory
28.Put silverware away
29.Make a valentine Card. Happy Valentines Day Everyone!
30.Play favorite songs
31.Ask the person about his or her brothers or sisters.

One Year

Hi, Everyone. Tomorrow it will be one year since Mom passed. It has been a busy year. New friends ,  New Job and New Adventure's. Some good some not so good. I still pray for her in my prayers. Than I realize she is ok now . I guess I forget she is gone. Than I say an extra prayer for me.
 One of my Fav. Blogger friends lost the love of her life recently to Alzheimer's . Dolores is a wonderful blogger friend and David was so lucky to have had her in his life to  love and care for him  . Prayers to her and your family. 
I am posting  10 more of the  101 ways to spend time with a person with Alzheimer's. I can't say I did many of these with mom. Maybe a few in the early  stages. It was a such a long illness and she was in the last stage forever it seemed. I just can't believe it has been a year. Time passed a lot faster now that she is gone than it did when she was laying in bed suffering. I do hate Alzheimer's. And all the  caregivers  know what I mean. Love to you all. Take care and Pray. Always Pray. You are never alone.
11. Bake Cookies
12.Take photos of the person and you and create a collage.
13.Brush or comb one another's hair
14.Participate in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's www.alz.org/walk
15.Plant seeds indoors and outdoors
16.Look at family photographs
17.Wipe off the kitchen table after meals
18.Weed the flowerbed or tend to the garden
19.Fold laundry
20.Have a friend visit with a well-behaved pet.

2012 End Alzheimer's Walk

Hi  All My Blogger Friends. It has been awhile since my last post. Just got back from this years Alzheimer's Walk. Another great one. Thank you all for donations and walking.
I got a list of 101 ways to spend time with a person with Alzheimer's today at the walk so thought I would post a few every now and than. They are great ideas.
First I want to tell you all who are still caring for your love one to keep the faith people you will get through this. Keep Praying. Never go a day without it. Trust me without the Lord mom and I would not of made it down this long rocky rode. Next is family and friends. I thank the Lord everyday for my friends and family.
1. Listen to music
2.Toss a ball
3.Color pictures
4. Make homemade lemonade
5. Count trading cards
6. Clip coupons
7. Sort poker chips
8. Read out loud chapters from your favorite book or stories
9. Rake leaves
10. String beads.
Here is a few more to come later.

Alzheimer's In Arkansas

In 2008 over 800 people died of Alzheimer's in Arkansas. In 2009 there were 33,723 people in nursing homes with some kind of Cognitive Impairment  in Arkansas. And this is not just a sign of old age this is a disease. Here are the Quick facts around the Nation.

• 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease.
• One in eight older Americans has Alzheimer's disease.
• Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.
• More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care valued at $210 billion for persons with Alzheimer's and other dementia's.
• Payments for care are estimated to be $200 billion in the United States in 2012

I don't have the figures for 2011-2012 in Arkansas but they are rising not falling. It is not getting better. We need to find a cure . We need to find a medicine that will slow it down . Stop it . Wipe it out completely . To get these things we need money. Our local walk is getting close . Sept is just around the corner now. Please donate. Remember you don't have to donate a lot . $1 to  $5  Any amount. It all adds up to lots of money.   Thanks everyone who have already donated. Love you all.
Just click on the picture of Team Hudson on the left and go to my walker page. Thanks again. Karen

10 Signs Of Alzheimer's

Well it is almost Fathers Day. Dad was killed in a farming accident 22 years ago so lots of Fathers days have passed without him . But he is missed everyday. It has been 8 months since mom's passing and I have not got used to that yet . I am still trying .  And only 3 months till our Alzheimer's Walk.   Thought I would stop bugging you  for donations right? NOT!! I reached my goal of $100 . Thank you so much. Now  I am going for more. $5 goes a long ways guys. Keep it coming. And Thank you again for all your help. __Just click on the Team Hudson picture to your left and go to my walker page.
If dad was here we would be going fishing. Fishing was our thing. Before I got married anyway. Seems like when you get married and work there is no time for fishing. Let me tell you  if your mom and dad are still with you always make time to go fishing. Nothing better than a day at the lake fishing with your Dad or Mom are if you are real lucky both. I started taking my son fishing when he was little because I wanted him to have the memories of fishing with me I have of dad.  Have a great Day all . And since this is an Alzheimer's blog read these signs of Alzheimer's. If  anyone  of your love ones are showing these signs take them to the doc. the earlier the better.
__1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own. What's typical? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ____2. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. What's typical? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ____3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. What’s typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ____4. Confusion with time or place. People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. What's typical? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ____5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not recognize their own reflection. What's typical? Vision changes related to cataracts. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ____6. New problems with words in speaking or writing. People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a watch a "hand clock"). What's typical? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ____7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time. What's typical? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ____8. Decreased or poor judgment. People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. What's typical? Making a bad decision once in a while. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ____9. Withdrawal from work or social activities. A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced. What's typical? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ ____10. Changes in mood and personality. The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone. What's typical? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ If you have questions about any of these warning signs, the Alzheimer’s Association recommends consulting a physician. Early diagnosis provides the best opportunities for treatment, support and future planning. For more information, go to alz.org/10signs or call 800.272.3900.

This is an official publication of the Alzheimer’s Association but may be distributed by unaffiliated organizations or individuals.