Medications for Memory Loss

Alzheimer's Association

Although current medications cannot cure Alzheimer’s or stop it from progressing, they may help lessen symptoms, such as memory loss and confusion, for a limited time.

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of medications — cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, Cognex) and memantine (Namenda) — to treat the cognitive symptoms (memory loss, confusion, and problems with thinking and reasoning) of Alzheimer's disease.

As Alzheimer’s progresses, brain cells die and connections among cells are lost, causing cognitive symptoms to worsen. While current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer’s causes to brain cells, they may help lessen or stabilize symptoms for a limited time by affecting certain chemicals involved in carrying messages among the brain's nerve cells. Doctors sometimes prescribe both types of medications together. Some doctors also prescribe high doses of vitamin E for cognitive changes of Alzheimer's disease.

To read more....

Finding Balance for the Caregiver

Caregiving is what we do at Home Instead, but we realize that we are not alone in providing personal care to a loved one who is in need. It is a team effort with family members often playing the critical role of caregiver as well.

Here's an article written by Lisa Bailey for CAREGIVER.COM offering sixteen strategies to help cope with the stress of being a caregiver. Read on

10 Signs of Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Association

Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer's, a fatal brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
4. Confusion with time or place
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
8. Decreased or poor judgment
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
10. Changes in mood and personality

Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor. To read more...

2011 CAREGiver of the Year

Home Instead of Savannah is proud to announce that Diane Thomas-Hill is our CAREGiver of the Year for 2011!

Diane went to College for Fine Arts and has many interests: arts and crafts, painting, horses, fishing, boating and people, just to name a few! As a former restaurateur, she is an amazing cook.

Diane has been a wonderful CAREGiver to her “regular” client, whose health has deteriorated so much from when we first started. She and the whole team on the case have been instrumental in keeping this client at home. She also fills in just about every time we call her, and goes to clients with different needs. Nothing fazes her! Diane’s smiling face brings joy to the lives of client’s she cares for.  She makes them feel that they still are important, even though they may be older and not able to get out. She works hard to meet their needs. They appreciate her, and so do we!

Diane always looks beyond the obvious while striving to do whatever she can to make a difference in her client’s lives. Diane – You are the BEST!  Congratulations!

"Be A Santa to a Senior" a SUCCESS in 2011!

One of many loads of gifts ready to be delivered by the staff of Home Instead Senior Care of Savannah (L-R) Maureen Evans, Nora Shuman, Wendy Cooper, Samantha Neal and Rachel Carson. Not Pictured - Jan Geraghty & Clif Cooper

This Christmas's "Be a Santa to a Senior" program was a resounding success! With the help of so many local civic organizations, businesses, churches, neighborhood associations and individuals, Home Instead was able to deliver 3,111 gifts to 578 seniors this year throughout Savannah and the South Carolina lowcountry! Seniors who would otherwise not have had Christmas.

Home Instead appreciates all those who gave them the names of seniors without family support and wants to give a heartfelt, "Thank you!" to all who hosted the ornaments, held fundraisers or wrapping parties or donated space to store the packages before delivery. Each year this program has grown and 2012 should be no exception.  For those interested in knowing more, please visit Be a Santa to a Senior or contact Home Instead at 912-355-0099.



Be A Santa To A Senior is a program created by Home Instead Senior Care, an international company with 930 offices in 17 countries. to let seniors know they have not been forgotten. In the past seven years more than 70,000 volunteers have delivered nearly 1.2 million gifts to more than 700,000 seniors. Home Instead provides non-medical services for Seniors needing some assistance to remain at home. Home Instead is passionate about seniors and is actively involved in changing the face of aging.