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Parish Nurse Ministry |
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LPC Ministries Parish Nurse Ministry |
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Parish Nurse News—Alzheimer’s Disease In May I attended Living Well, Finding Hope: Alzheimer's Conference sponsored by the local Alzheimer's Association. There were professional folks, caregivers, and families in attendance. I sat next to a woman whose spouse has Alzheimer's Disease. She and her daughter drive from Ely each year to attend this conference. Is there new information? Are there solutions? Are there new medications? Are there new testing tools? These questions were addressed. We all left with a feeling of hope for the present and the future, for ourselves and our families. I am repeating some information that I have shared several years ago. I have had many requests for this information so here goes. Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease 1. Memory Loss: One of the most common early signs of dementia is forgetting recently learned information. 2. Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks: People with dementia often find it hard to complete everyday tasks that are so familiar we usually do not think about how to do them. 3. Problems with Language: A person with Alzheimer's forgets simple words and substitutes unusual words making his or her speech or writing hard to understand. 4. Poor or Decreased Judgment: Those with Alzheimer's show poor judgment as dressing without regard to the weather or spending money when they don't need the items or the repair work done. 5. Disorientation to Time and Place: People with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost on their own street. They may forget where they are and how they got there and may not know how to get back home. 6. Problems with Abstract Thinking: Balancing a checkbook is a task that can be challenging for some. But a person with Alzheimer's may forget what numbers represent and what needs to be done with them. 7. Misplacing Things: Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or key but a person with Alzheimer's may put things in unusual places like an iron in the freezer. 8. Changes In Mood or Behavior: Someone with Alzheimer's can show rapid mood swings, from calm to tears to anger for no apparent reason. 9. Changes in Personality A person with Alzheimer's can change dramatically, becoming extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member. 10. Loss of Initiative A person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the television for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities. If you recognize any warning sign in yourself or a loved one, The Alzheimer's Association recommends consulting a physician. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer or other disorders causing dementia is an important step to getting appropriate treatment, care and support services. The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. 1800 272 3900 www.alzmndak.org The most exciting news I have is announcing the Memory Assessment Clinic at Duluth Clinch, Wednesday afternoons Medical Covered Service; Call Lori at 218-786-1216. In Christ’s work, |
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The parish nurse was created as a ministry through an understanding that the church has a role in healing, which has been recognized since the early days of Christianity. The very nature of the church is to be a healing community with a holistic approach of recognizing health as encompassing body, mind, and spirit. Marcia works closely with the Pastoral Care Committee to visit members who are in long term care, hospitalized, or home-bound. Her newest project, along with the Pastoral Care Committee, is a prayer shawl ministry. The polar fleece shawls will be given away to those who need our prayers, with love from the LPC Family. |
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Our Parish Nurse, Marcia B. Heyser, R.N. |
