Recent headline: Alzheimer's Deluge Feared

Among mental health issues facing community life today, the threat of Alzheimer's Disease has risen to the top tier. The article "Alzheimer's Deluge Feared" in the January 13, 2011 edition of the Star Tribune presents the Minnesota situation. Written by Warren Wolfe, the article points up  documented trends, the financial cost of care, and a positive response at New Prague.


A joint effort between family and the police in New Prague relieved some of the anxiety that happens when a family member showed one of the signs of Alzheimer's Disease - wandering. By using the technology of 911 and GPS the location of the affected person could be established and police could find the man. As one EMT says, "I worked 27 years as an EMT with the ambulance crew....this Alzheimer's, it can grind you down. I was starting the think, well, how much longer can we go on?"  Even one positive step brightens the day of family and community service people like EMT and Police personnel. The affected person finds protection and safety.


As a Bloomington (MN) Community Foundation Board member, I am searching for specific action methods that can be supported by the Foundation in this community


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A creative response to the Memory Loss challenge

The Beatitudes Campus in Phoenix, AZ, featured in the New York Times and reprinted in a Star Tribune Story on January 2, 2011 is taking steps to respond to the Memory Loss challenge. At http://www.beatitudescampus.org the approach is described in detail.


An example of creativity at Beatitudes Campus is providing a gentleman who loved fishing with a tackle box that he could set up day after day. His anxiety decreased and his more dependable life style enabled his caregivers to be more relaxed and do their work better with more personal satisfaction. How simple and direct. A plastic tackle box with some fishing equipment takes the place of some medications including anti-psychotic drugs. Minimal cost producing some peace of mind for patient and caregiver makes sense on all levels.

The Beatitudes Campus is sponsored by a United Church of Christ congregation at 1610 W Glendale Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021

An Approach to Alzheimer Disease - Dementia - Memory Loss

Information about Alzheimer Disease and Memory Loss is gaining attention as public media present the 2011 situation. The population share of families affected by Memory Loss is growing in many communities. Families, Hospitals, Medical practitioners, Police, Care Centers, Religious organizations, the City Health Department, Real Estate companies, Financial institutions, Development companies, Non-profit service agencies are all affected by the growing challenge of Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Loss. Along the way questions will arise about money cost, about  who will take leadership, and what kind of retained personnel will be necessary to accomplish such an Initiative. One place to begin is with information resources focused on Alzheimer Disease, Dementia and Memory Loss.

The Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-disease/DS00161 MetLife Foundation http://www.metlife.com/about/corporate-profile/citizenship/metlife-foundation/azheimers-and-aging.html The MetLife plan addresses mental fitness, civic involvement and public awareness. The MetLife Foundation has invested 18 million $ in Alzheimer research.  The National Institute on Aging http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/CaringAD/  offers an easy-to-use Guide entitled: Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's Disease.  Fort Wayne Community Net  http://www.ft-wayne.in.us/health_living/family_health.html The Net includes community initiatives with an Alzheimer support group   The Greater Memphis Foundation   http://www.cfgm.org/page10000841.cfm Five Initiatives that show their line of approach to community iniatitives. The Center for Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care of Australia.  http://www.alzheimers-centre.org.au/people.php  New South Wales Department of Ageing, Disability and Home  Care   http://www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/dadhc/Publications+and+policies/Ageing.htm  Ontario Senior Secretariat http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/seniors/english/programs/alzheimer/initiatives.shtm Includes 10 Initiatives relating to Alzheimer Disease and related Dementia.  The Greater Atlanta Community Foundation http://www.cfgreateratlanta.org/Community-Initiatives/Current-Initiatives.aspx The Foundation is a funder, catalyst, partner and non partisan convener and/or knowledge broker. They have an interesting variety of Iniatives but little or nothing on Memory Loss. European Commission on Public Health  http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_information/dissemination/diseases/alzheimer_en.htm  A recognition of the social and health impact associated with Alzheimer's and other dementias in Europe.   Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org/index.asp National Institute on Aging http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/ There is a participating site in Rochester, MN  Copper Ridge Institute http://www.crinstitute.org Improving the lives of older persons through research and education. Affiliated with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Carver County Office of Aging http://www.co.carver.mn.us/departments/PH/aging.asp An example of what one Minnesota County is doing to address the challenges relating to aging and its opportunities and problems. Notes: 1. The Minnesota Legislature has appointed a working group to examine the needs, service and state capacity to address Alzheimer Disease related issues. A report will be given to the Governor. 11-5-10 2. By 2030 the percentage of Minnesota citizens over age 65 will double to 1.3 million. Presently the percentage of population is 12% and it will grow to 20%. Presently public health care and services is 1/3 of the state budget. The source is a Star Tribune article by Pat Doyle on 9-18-10. She can be reached at pdoyle@startribune.com 3. The Minnesota-North Dakota Alzheimer's Association, Edina office, has formed a Minnesota Alzheimer's Working Group with a goal of Minnesota becoming the first Competent Alzheimer's State in the nation. This process has been proceeding for 15-17 months. A number of expert counsel persons are being involved in the process. See http://www.alz.org/mnnd for information on developments. This page is written by Delton Krueger. Ongoing research on Alzheimer's Disease and related matters will be added on this web log.

An Approach to Alzheimer Disease - Memory Loss

This web log is being developed to begin exploration of options for developing greater public awareness and interest in issues related to Alzheimer Disease - Dementia - Memory Loss. The focus will be on information gathering and community based attention. The specific community location is Bloomington, Minnesota, USA. The writer is Delton Krueger.