B r a i n B u s i n e s s , J u l y 2 0 1 4

Aging Institute

The East Central Florida Memory Disorder Clinic is one of 15 state memory clinics funded in

part, through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. For the last 20 years, we have provided

education, support, and memory screens to thousands of people each year.

The following is a description of a few of the educational programs that the Memory Disorder

Clinic offers throughout the year, and at various locations throughout our service area. For

more information or to register for the next class, please contact Lynne Brownrigg by calling

(321) 434-7614, or by emailing her at: lynne.brownrigg@health-first.org

Stress-Busting for Family Caregivers An evidence based program developed at the University of Texas- San Antonio which recognizes the

unique stress of caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. This class provides

caregivers with the tools and strategies they need to take care of themselves. This 9 week class is one

(2 hour) day a week and includes education, support, and stress management techniques.

Learning the Ropes, for Living with MCI

Developed in Canada at Baycrest, a leader in providing innovations in aging and brain health, this

program is for someone with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) and their partner, to enhance healthy

lifestyle behaviors and to provide strategies to manage change associated with living with a person

experiencing MCI. This is a 6 week class for 1 ½ hours, one day a week.

MindSet In this class, designed for someone with MCI and their partner, participants will learn skills that help

exercise the brain, create healthy habits, and improve communication. It offers an organized approach

to everyday living and provides activities to stimulate memory and thinking. This is a 6 week class,

for 1 ½ hours, one day a week.

Total Memory Workout Memory lapses aren't necessarily a sign of age -- more often they are a sign of the times, as we're all

inundated with important information to remember, from PINs and cell phone numbers to children's

schedules and crucial business facts. Developed by Dr. Cynthia R. Green, this 6 week class, one day a

week for 1 ½ hours, is for the cognitively well senior who is looking to enhance their memory fitness.

MAP ( Memory and Aging Program) Another education and intervention program from Baycrest for older adults who are experiencing

normal age-related memory changes. Participants will gain a better understanding of how memory

works, and tools to better manage their memory function. This 5 week class will be held one day a

week for 1 ½ hours.

Understanding Delirium in the

Hospital

Delirium is a severe state of confusion where

people cannot think clearly, have trouble paying

attention, have a hard time understanding what is

going on around them and may see or hear things

that are not really there. Delirium is different

from dementia. Dementia is changes in memory

and thinking that generally occur gradually over

months or years. Delirium comes on suddenly, in

hours or days. Dementia is usually a permanent

and progressive condition. Delirium usually

clears up after a few days or a week.

Who gets Delirium?

Persons with dementia have a higher risk of

getting delirium in the hospital, especially after

surgery or if an infection is present.

Signs of Delirium

Persons with delirium often become agitated.

They may pull at tubes and may not cooperate

with care. They may not be able to pay attention

or follow instructions. They may become

confused about where they are and may not

recognize family or friends.

What to Do

If your loved one has to have surgery, be

prepared to be with them afterwards to comfort

and reassure them. Talk to medical staff

immediately if they are not acting normally.

Catching signs of delirium early can lead to

better treatment and safer outcomes. Make sure

that your loved one has glasses and hearing aids

that make interacting with others easier. Speak

softly and reassure them that they are safe and

that you will stay with them. We cannot predict

who will develop delirium, but catching

symptoms early helps reduce duration and makes

for safer outcomes.

Important Caregiver Survey

In 2013 the Florida legislature established the

Purple Ribbon Task Force. The Taskforce was

asked to develop a comprehensive state plan to

address the needs of individuals with

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and

their caregivers. One of the recommendations

from the Taskforce was that the Department of

Elder Affairs (DOEA) conduct a statewide

survey of caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s

disease and related disorders (ADRD), including

Mild Cognitive Impairment, to get input on the

following:

The status of Florida’s caregivers of

individuals with ADRD & MCI, and their

care recipients,

The types of support available to them, and

The on‐going impact of caregiving

responsibilities.

The State will use this information to better

determine the impacts of services provided and to

identify regions where needs or gaps in services

appear to exist, thus allowing the state to better

target educational activities and resources.

THE SURVEY IS ANONYMOUS.

Please be assured that your responses will be

kept strictly confidential.

This survey may be completed online at:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2014_ADRD_

Caregiver_Survey

A Spanish version may be accessed at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2014ADRDSpanish

OR

If you don’t have computer access you may

request a print copy by calling Lynne Brownrigg

at

(321) 434-7614

3661 South Babcock Street, Melbourne, FL 32901 Phone (321) 434-7612 http://www.ecfmdc.org

July Educational Classes EASE Alumni: If you’ve attended the EASE series, please come to the monthly EASE Alumni

group meeting offered in Melbourne on Wednesday, July 2nd, from 2:00p.m. -3:30p.m. at the

Center for Family Caregivers on Babcock St.

Stress-Busting Alumni: There will be no meeting in July as it falls on Independence Day! We’ll

see you on Friday, August 1st!

Virtual Dementia Tour: A hands-on experience created for anyone seeking to understand the

physical and mental challenges of those with Alzheimer's and other related dementias.

Wednesday, July 9th

from 3:00pm to 4:30pm at Joe’s Club on Wickham Rd. in Melbourne, you

must call to reserve a space. Call Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm: (321) 253-4430.

Osceola Educational Program: Dealing with Behaviors, presented by Pat DeAngelis on Friday,

July 11th

, from 10:30am to 11:30am, prior to support group. Bring a bag lunch and attend both!

Support Groups

Coping with Caregiving - A support group that meets weekly on Wednesdays, from 10:30am

to 11:30am at the Center for Family Caregivers, and focuses on successful strategies for coping

with the concerns, feelings and responsibilities with being a caregiver. Facilitated by Jeanne

Simpson, M.S.W. Respite is not available

Empowered Caregivers Support Group – Meets every Thursday at 11am at the Center for

Family Caregivers and allows caregivers who care for someone with memory loss to share their

journey with those who understand what they’re going through. This group includes group

discussions and education and is facilitated by Nick Wilson, MSW.

Dementia Caregiver Support Group: Meets on the 1st and 3

rd Wednesday (July 2

nd and 16

th )

of every month at 10:30am, at Sunflower House in Merritt Island. Facilitated by Sharon

Ramsey. Respite is not available.

Osceola Family Caregiver Support Group – Meets on the second Friday of each month at

12:00 Noon, at the Osceola Council on Aging, in Kissimmee, FL. This month’s meeting is on

Friday, July 11th. For more information, please call Farah at (321) 434-7612, press 5.

Memory Disorder Clinic 3661 S. Babcock St. (2nd

Floor), Melbourne (321) 434-7612

Center for Family Caregivers 3661 S. Babcock St., Melbourne (321) 434-7625

Sunflower House 777 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island (321) 452-4341

Joe’s Club 4676 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne (321) 253-4430

Osceola Council on Aging 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee (407) 846-8532

Caregiver Tips on Disaster

Preparedness If you have a disability or special need, you may

have to take additional steps to protect yourself

in an emergency. Here are some practical tips

for those with special needs:

Establish a personal support network.

Post Emergency Instructions on the

refrigerator.

Include medication dosages, necessary

equipment and emergency contacts.

Identify multiple evacuation routes.

Carry emergency health information and

emergency contacts.

Have an alternate means of

communication.

If you are mobility impaired in a high-rise-

rise building, have an escape chair.

If you live in an apartment building, ask

the management to mark accessible exits

clearly.

Keep extra: Oxygen, catheters, medication.

Food for guide dogs or other items you

might need.

Batteries, blankets, cash, medications, non-

perishable foods, water, and a weather

radio.

A Registry of People with Special Needs is

maintained by Brevard County Emergency

Management. If you are unable to respond

independently to an emergency situation and

have no other means of assistance, then you

should register now. Contact Brevard County

Emergency Management, Special Needs

Shelters at 321-637-6670 for the necessary

forms and registration information. General

hurricane shelters can only provide first aid, not

nursing care, medical assistance or supervision.

A caregiver should accompany the special

needs person to the shelter if they need

supervision or assistance.

Numerical Titles Can you fill in the missing number from each of

these song, movie, and book titles?

1. “____ Ways to Leave Your Lover”

2. The House of the _____ Gables

3. A Tale of ____ Cities

4. Around the World in _____ Days

5. __________ Men and a Baby

6. Fahrenheit ____________

7. _____________ Is Enough

8. “____________ Trombones”

9. Ocean’s _____________

10. ______________ Candles

Answers

1. Fifty 6. 451

2. Seven 7. Eight

3. Two 8. Seventy Six

4. Eighty 9. Eleven (or

sequels)

5. Three 10. Sixteen