Reflections, Suggestions, & Seed Thoughts

Greetings and Happy New Year.

Reflections
In the early stages, faced with the unknowns of an unpredictable illness, most of us are still dealing with issues of acceptance. It's helpful to remember that whatever we resist, deplore, or condemn only creates more suffering. Sometimes when I felt besieged by the challenges of caretaking, I'd remind myself that even dementia was "in the natural order of things." Reflect on what helps to deepen acceptance for you.

Suggestions
It is human nature to close down and contract in the face of a serious illness. We may assume that friends will pull back and avoid us. This may be true occasionally, but most people want to respond when friends are in need. That's important to remember--especially for those who are hesitant to ask for help.

Seed Thoughts
May I cultivate compassion toward myself and others.

Reflections, Suggestions, & Seed Thought

Reflections
Remember that as well as being a journey of loss, this is also a opportunity for learning and growth. When I first heard Tulku Thondup say, "take it as a blessing," I struggled with those words. How could he possibly say that? What was he getting at? Upon reflection, I knew he intended it as an invitation to see the opportunities in our situation, and that he was framing it in the most uplifting, spacious way possible. Whenever I remembered that phrase, my perspective on our situation expanded. I felt both challenged and hopeful. I knew I would be learning life's hardest lessons: loss, surrender, dying, and death. And along with these was the opportunity to deepen in trust and love.

Suggestions
Start practicing ways to steady yourself by cultivating calmness in difficult moments. In those times, become aware of your body and your breath. Practice noticing how several deep, calming breaths can steady you. An invaluable practice in any situation is to keep returning to the rhythm of your breath to anchor you to the present moment.

Seed Thought
I can reach out for help at any time.

National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month

In recognition of both National Alzheimer’s Disease Month (NADAM) and National Family Caregiver Month in November, the Alzheimer’s Association is offering resources for the 10 million family caregivers who provide daily comfort and care to individuals living with dementia.

Caregiver Stress Check
Take this interactive quiz to identify symptoms of stress, and then find helpful resources tailored to your symptoms.

Alzheimer Awareness Perennial Garden
Honor someone special or champion the cause by planting an awareness garden.

CareSource
Our online suite of services will help you coordinate assistance from family and friends, locate senior housing and receive customized care recommendations.

About NADAM
President Reagan launched a national campaign against Alzheimer's disease 25 years ago when he proclaimed November as National Alzheimer's Disease Month in 1983. He advocated research as "the only hope for victims and families." The former president courageously announced his Alzheimer diagnosis to the public in 1994 and passed away ten years later.

View the White House 2008 NADAM Proclamation

From its founding in 1980, the Alzheimer's Association has led the fight to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. This year, you can join this fight by signing a proclamation that will be delivered to the President-elect Obama.

A Big Win for Alzheimer's!

The Alzheimer’s Association will receive $1.5 million from American Express to begin an education campaign highlighting the importance of early detection among physicians and the general public. This is a positive step toward helping those who go undiagnosed for many years, losing valuable time that could be spent planning for the future and starting treatment.

Funds from the American Express Members Project will enable the Alzheimer's Association to:

• Collaborate with other health leaders to get the word out and combine resources.
• Engage people with Alzheimer's to be advocates, allowing them to spread awareness about the importance of early detection.
• Increase public education about early detection via paid advertising, public relations and other forms of proactive communications.
• Promote participation in clinical trials of groundbreaking treatments.
• Empower those who suspect they may have Alzheimer's to find the help and hope they need.
• Educate physicians about the 10 Warning Signs® and patient support services.

Find out how you can stay involved with the Alzheimer's Association and this critical cause by visiting actionalz.org.

Reflections, Suggestions, & Seed Thought

Reflections
Understand how natural it is for a wide range of feelings to arise: numbness, denial, sadness, dread, despair, fear, grief, anger, and so on. Each of us has different ways of handling our feelings, but we care for our health and well-being when we open to their intensity. Be gentle and nonjudgemental with yourself, your spouse, and others when strong feelings arise; acceptance is a gradual process.

Suggestions
Is there any one person who stands out for your who might be an ally for you? This person might be a family member, friend, wise elder, minister, rabbi, or teacher.

Seed Thought
May I accept the surprises of this illness.

World Alzheimer's Day is Sunday, September 21, 2008

Did you know that every 71 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer's?

World Alzheimer's Day, September 21, is a day when Alzheimer's associations around the world concentrate their efforts on raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Currently there are more than 26 million people across the world living with Alzheimer’s and that number will quadruple by 2050.

To find out what you can do to help, please visit http://www.actionalz.org/about_wad.asp.

Memory Walk

The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's in the nation. The Memory Walk is occurring September-November 2008 in communities nationwide.

Teams are the heart of Memory Walk - people working together to support the millions affected by Alzheimer's. Team up to have fun, make new friends and support a great cause.

Select a walk near you and register online. You will have access to your very own Web site that you can use as your fundraising headquarters. http://www.alz.org/memorywalk/team.asp

Walk and make a huge impact on helping people living with Alzheimer's!