Summer 2015 - the Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer`s Resource Center

sUMMER
VOlUME 21, IssUE 3
Surviving Dementia through Laughter
Excerpt from a post by National Care Planning Council
Mark Twain wrote, “The human race
has one really effective weapon, and
that is laughter. Against the assault of
laughter, nothing can stand.”
Professionals across the medical
field agree that laughter is an
effective medicine. It’s been shown
to improve connections with others,
increase blood flow to protect the
heart, boost immune cells to fight
infection, decrease stress through
the discharging of physical and
emotional tension, and trigger release
of endorphins to relieve pain. But can
the effects of laughter extend beyond
the basic health benefits? Could it be
used as a treatment for even the most
devastating and incurable diseases
such as dementia and Alzheimer’s?
Debbie Harbinson, a certified
laughter leader and outreach
program
manager
at
Banner
Alzheimer’s Institute, wrote: “For
those with dementia, laughter can be
instrumental in diffusing conflict and
expelling the negative energy that
so often causes them to retreat.” To
further prove this theory, a group of
humor therapists in New South Wales
started the SMILE study. Over the
course of three years, these humor
therapists worked on 400 dementiastricken people and found a twenty
percent reduction in the patients’
agitated behavior like wandering,
screaming, and aggression.
Speaking about the results of
the study, Anne-Marie Botek from
AgingCare.com said, “Laughter may
be just as effective as antipsychotic
medications for reducing anxiety in
elderly people with dementia.” Part
of the SMILE study was conducted
in Summit Care nursing where the
owner, Barry Cowling, said that
because of the humor therapy they
were able to reduce psychotropic
drugs or even have some of the
patients come off of psychotropic
drugs completely. “We had a woman
who was totally non-verbal who
started to have conversations with
staff and her family,” Cowling said.
The effects of the laughter therapy had
reduced aggression and depression
so well that Cowling and many other
nursing homes made the laughter
therapy permanent after the study.
There’s no refuting the effect and
change that laughter can have in
dementia patients, but it’s still not
a cure. Dementia and other more
serious diseases such as Alzheimer’s
are difficult living with but even more
difficult to experience as a caregiver or
family member watching your loved
one dissipate and forget who you are.
As with many difficult situations in
life, laughter can be used to help you
and your loved ones view dementia in
a new light. Laughter in these cases
should not only be used to benefit the
patient but should also be utilized by
caregivers and family members who
are also suffering.
People with dementia can sense
the stress and unhappiness in those
around them. You have a duty not
only to yourself but to your loved
ones to try to make the situation
and environment as cheerful as
possible. Gary LeBlanc talks about his
experience learning to accept laughter
as a caregiver for someone with
Alzhiemer’s disease. He said:
“There is no doubt that there’s
Continued on page 6
Practical Support for
Coping with Dementia
LAUGHTER IS
THE
LANGUAGE
OF
THE SOUL.
PABLO NERUDA
For more information about the Alvin A.
Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, contact
us at (239) 437-3007 or visit our website at
www.alzheimersswfl.org
Board of Trustees
Al O’Donnell, President
O’Donnell Landscapes
Mitchell L. Cordova, PhD, Vice President
Florida Gulf Coast University
Chris Holtrop, Secretary
Syndicated Capital
Carol Osterhout, Treasurer
FineMark National Bank & Trust
Kathy Shimp, Past President
Community Volunteer
Britton Swank, Member at Large
Prather & Swank, P.A.
Rev. Stu Austin
New Hope Presbyterian Church
Stan Grigiski
Medical Claim Service
Keith Kyle
Circuit Court Judge
Mabel Lopez, PhD
Mind and Brain Care
Jim Nolte, CFP® - Financial Advisor
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Michael Raab, MD
Community Volunteer
Jamie Seneca
Nurse On Call
Advisory Council
Scott Anstadt, PhD, DCSW, LCSW
Florida Gulf Coast University
Debbie Beavers
Community Volunteer
Dolores Bertolini
Community Volunteer
Teresa Frank-Fahrner
Lee Memorial/SHARE Club
Marcia Hamilton
Keiser University
Jo Anne Kowalski, RN, EdD
Nurse Practitioner Services
Tracy Lima
Trusted Financial Services
Kathy Monroe
Community Volunteer
Dawn Moore, Chair
Lee Memorial Health System
Pam Pence Klaas, Vice Chair
Community Volunteer
Lowell Schoenfeld
Green, Schoenfeld & Kyle
Halcyon St. Hill, EdD, MS, MT
Florida Gulf Coast University
Jo Stecher, PhD, RN, CCTC
Florida Gulf Coast University
Emeriti Board
Bill Beckwith, PhD
Memory Management
John Belisle
BB&T - Oswald Trippe and Company
Bill Enslen
Community Volunteer
Peg Gray-Vickrey
Texas A&M - Central Texas
Patricia Hessel
Retired Certified Public Accountant
Douglas Newland, MD
Neurologist
Julie Osterhout
Osterhout & McKinney
Nancy Silvers, RN C
Retired Registered Nurse
Nancy Zant
HealthPark Care Center
Archie B. Hayward, Jr.
Lee County Court Judge
Lou Pontius
Community Volunteer
Alvin A. Dubin Center Staff
Jan Kerlin, Executive Director
Melanie Jackson, Exec Asst/Coord of Vols
Mary Freyre, RN, Health Ed Specialist
Karen Jellerson, LCSW, Social Worker
Jessica MacDonald, LCSW, Social Worker
Mark Your Calendar
Here’s The Scoop - Ice Cream Social
Hosted by Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
Ice Cream provided by VIP America of Southwest Florida
Friday, August 21, 2015 from 1:30 p.m. ~ 3:30 p.m.
Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
12468 Brantley Commons Court
Event is free ~ RSVP required by August 7th ~ (239) 437-3007
Join your fellow caregivers and loved ones for an afternoon
Ice Cream Social.
Long Term Care
Family Caregiver Support Group
A support group designed specifically for family members of
assisted living and skilled nursing center residents
Presented by Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
Group meetings are held on the Third Tuesday of each month
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
at the Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
12468 Brantley Commons Court, Fort Myers
This group offers an opportunity for family members to speak candidly
about their experience and feelings. Discussion topics include, but are
not limited to- the care plan process, state and federal regulations,
how to effectively communicate concerns to facility staff and how to
make visits more meaningful. Meetings are facilitated by a social
worker and offered free of charge.
Memory Screenings - The First Step Toward
Addressing Memory Concerns
Memory screenings are offered at the
Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
12468 Brantley Commons Ct, Fort Myers
Appointments are required
If you or someone you know has concerns about memory, please
schedule a FREE memory screening. Screenings take about 15
minutes.
Call (239) 437-3007 to schedule an appointment.
Savvy Caregiver
Presented by the Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
12468 Brantley Commons Ct, Fort Myers
Call for details, as registration is required
(239) 437-3007
The Savvy Caregiver program is designed to train family caregivers
in the basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to handle the
challenges of caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or
related dementia and to be an effective caregiver.
This is a 12 hour course delivered in 2-hour sessions over a 6 week
period.
Board News
The
Dubin
Alzheimer’s
Resource
Center’s
Board
elected the following officers to
serve for 2015/2016: President
Al O’Donnell, Vice President
Mitchell Cordova; Treasurer
Carol Osterhout; Secretary Chris
Holtrop; and Past President
Kathy Shimp. Britton Swank
was elected to serve as memberat-large. Dawn Moore and Pam
Pence Klaas were retained as
Advisory Council Chair and Vice
Chair respectively.
Al O’Donnell, Keith Kyle,
Dawn Moore and Jim Nolte were
reelected for an additional term on
the Board of Trustees.
Advisory Council members
reappointed to serve an additional
term are Dawn Moore, Scott
Anstadt and St. Hill. Kathy
Monroe, Lowell Schoenfeld and
Marcia Hamilton joined as new
Advisory Council members.
Advisory Council Welcome
Three new Alvin A. Dubin
Alzheimer’s Resource Center Advisory
Council members were introduced at
the May 11th Annual Meeting. These
new members were approved by the
Board at the June Board of Trustees
meeting. The new members are Kathy
Monroe, Lowell S. Schoenfeld and
Marcia Hamilton.
Kathy Monroe, a native of
Charleston, West Virginia is now a
permanent Fort Myers resident. She
moved from Pennsylvania, where
she was employed as Executive
Director of the Berks County Area
Agency on Aging in Reading, PA.
She served on various local and state
committees and was appointed by
the Pennsylvania Secretary on Aging
to the Pennsylvania Department of
Aging’s Cultural Diversity Advisory
Council. Kathy has a Master’s of
Science degree in Gerontological
Services.
Lowell S. Schoenfeld, a long time
resident of Fort Myers, is with the
law firm of Green, Schoenfeld & Kyle.
Practice areas are estate planning
M
CS
and administration, corporate and
business planning, wealth and asset
preservation and protection. He is
Board Certified in Wills, Trusts and
Estates. Lowell has served on many
local boards including Lee County
Planned Giving Council, American
Red Cross Advisory Council and
the Jewish Federation of Lee and
Charlotte Counties.
Marcia Hamilton holds a Master
of Science in Health Sciences degree
as well as a Bachelor’s of Science in
Occupational Therapy degree. She has
32 years’ experience as a registered
Occupational Therapist. Marcia is a
faculty member at Keiser University.
The responsibilities of the Advisory
Council are to serve as a resource for
the Executive Director and the Board
of Trustees of the Alvin A. Dubin
Alzheimer’s Resource Center.
Medical Claim Service
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923 DEL PRADO BLVD., SUITE 107 • CAPE CORAL, FL 33990 • (239) 772-2030
BOOK REVIEW
by Jessica MacDonald, LCSW
Recently, a caregiver recommended the
book “Surviving Alzheimer’s: Practical Tips
and Soul-Saving Wisdom for Caregivers” by
Paula Spencer Scott. The title alone peaked
my interest, and I was not disappointed! The
format of the book is easy to follow. The author
and array of contributors are knowledgeable
and relatable. They speak from professional
and personal knowledge. Particularly helpful
are the real life examples of challenges
provided, followed by explanations of the
challenge and possible interventions. Readers
will find helpful information on the disease
process as a whole, communication difficulties
and opportunities, behavioral symptoms
and management of, signs and symptoms of
caregiver burnout and available resources.
The author includes topics sometimes
avoided in the overall discussion of memory
impairment, like issues relating to sexuality
and family dynamics, that many readers
will find helpful. I recommend this book for
caregivers needing another tool and resource
to use in their daily journeys with their loved
ones. “Surviving Alzheimer’s: Practical Tips
and Soul-Saving Wisdom for Caregivers” is
available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNobel.
com, and we have a copy here at the Alvin A.
Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center.
REINA SCHLAGER, CPA/PFS* RHU
Personal Financial Specialist*
SCHLAGER SCHLAGER & LEVIN
Center Happenings
Dubin Golf Classic 2015
Comprehensive
Healthcare Services
Open to the Public
• Assisted Living
including Respite Care
• Skilled Nursing
• Memory Care
• Hospice Care
• Inpatient and
333-0490
NO FEE CHARGED FOR A REVIEW
We are our clients’ financial partner!
➢
➢
➢
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Initial Medicaid Planning
Life Insurance Audits
Tax Planning
Long term care Insurance
➢ End of Life planning
➢ Retirement Rollovers &
Retirement Income
Planning
SCHLAGER SCHLAGER & LEVIN (SS&L) provides tax advice and preparation. Securities offered through JW
Cole Financial Inc. (JWC) Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through SS&L and JW Cole
Advisors, Inc. (JWCA), Registered Investment Advisors. JWC/JWCA and SS&L are not affiliated.
*regulated by the AICPA, not a State or Federal Agency
• Outpatient
Services
• Short-term Rehab
Services including
physical, speech,
and occupational
therapies
Call (239) 415-5432
or visit shellpoint.org
Shell Point is located in Fort Myers, 2 miles before the Sanibel Causeway.
Shell Point is a non-profit ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance Foundation, Inc.
©2015 Shell Point. All rights reserved. HCR-379-15
Center Happenings
Annual Meeting 2015
Board Vice President,
Mitchell Cordova Presents
Awards
Association of Florida
Healthcare Auxiliaries/
Volunteers Check
Presentation 2015
Carol Osterhout
Ellie Fox
Dotty St. Amand
AFHAV President, Sandy
Heise presents Executive
Director, Jan Kerlin with a
Check of Support
Mike Skaggs
Ina Hunsucker
Board Member Jamie
Seneca Presents Cheyenne
Courson with the
Teen Scholarship
THE LAW OFFICE OF NORMA HAND BRILL, P.A.
Certified Elder Law Attorney
by the National Elder Law Foundation since 1996
Board Certified by the Florida Bar since 1998
Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives,
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164 Pondella Road, North Fort Myers, Florida 33903 | 239.997.6464
Surviving Dementia (continued from page 1)
heartbreak and despair in watching
your loved one dissipate. I would
suggest that you keep your
environment as cheerful as possible.
I know that some of you are shaking
your heads and asking, “How?” Well,
take it from a veteran; throughout the
decade I spent caring for my dad and
searching for ways to cope, I discovered
laughter is the best medicine.”
Take advantage of free moments
when your loved one is resting or
otherwise engaged. Don’t spend this
time alone wallowing in your thoughts
of the future and allowing yourself to
sink deeper into grief and depression.
Find ways to laugh. Spend time with
people who are more easily optimistic
or in a better situation than you and
can help you see the silver lining.
Watch movies and read books that are
humorous and take your mind of the
situation.
But above all, remember to laugh.
Find a way, find a moment, and laugh
every single day. As caregiver Gary
LeBlanc said, “If I’m going to hurt,
I’d rather have the pain be caused
by laughing too hard. Throughout
our caregiving journeys we deal with
enough doom and gloom. Try to bring
some sunshine and humor into your
Disaster Preparedness
life. Never forget to laugh.”
Basic Checklist for Caregivers
In addition to helping yourself and • Prepare a hurricane supply kit
the environment stay cheerful, you • Enroll your loved one in an
can find moments to laugh with your
identification bracelet program
loved one. Depending on the stage of • Implement a safety plan
dementia your loved one is in, you may • Prepare activity supplies for your
want to be more careful about telling a
loved one with memory impairment
joke that could offend them because
• Be aware of behavioral symptoms
they don’t understand. For those with
and appropriate interventions
mild to moderate dementia, blatant,
•
Get
to know your neighbors
obvious, slapstick humor works best
• Join a support group for caregivers
as they won’t get as easily confused.
For those with advanced or lateBefore, during, and after a
stage dementia, play games like you
catastrophic event:
would with a child, tossing a ball back
and forth and laughing when you miss • Maintain a normal routine if possible
catching it. Read silly books and make • Anticipate needs of the person with
memory impairment
funny sounds. At this stage they may
•
Avoid
continuous viewing of news
not specifically smile or laugh with
stories regarding weather or
you, but the enjoyment will still have
aftermath of a hurricane
a positive impact.
Whether you’re laughing on your • Make sure your loved one wears his
own or with your loved one, make it
ID bracelet at all times
a priority. It may seem cliché to say • Involve your loved one in enjoyable
that ‘laughter is the best medicine.’
activities to divert attention away
But it has been proven time and time
from the catastrophic event, but
again to improve health, both physical
avoid being outdoors during hot
and emotional. Life is much better
mid-day hours
as we laugh through it. As William
Shakespeare said, “With mirth and For a complete copy of Disaster Preparedness
Tips for Caregivers, contact the Dubin
laughter let old wrinkles come.”
Alzheimer’s Resource Center at (239) 437-3007
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Gifts to the Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
Our sincere thanks to the following individuals and businesses who gave a memorial,
honorary or general gift during the months of March, April and May.
Gifts not listed will appear in the Fall issue.
In Memory Of
Clients and clients’ relatives
Osterhout & McKinney
Aaron Howze
Hazel Howze
Adele Sica
Mary Rossi
Clorinda Cooper
Janet Elliott
Dave Whitney
Sherri Coburn
George L. Brooks
Elaine Carolyn and Harold Poylio
Mr. & Mrs. Vaillant
Lorine Thompson
Susan and Bob Goetz
Richard and Jerris
Marilyn D. and Warren R. Hibben
Joanne and Henry Henrickson
Joyce and David Brooks
Phyllis Bakko
Janette E. Hicke
Edith R. Brooks
Betty Lou Pyle
Margret Deason
Adaline and Norman Sampson
Giustina Liberti
Rosemarie Forte
John Lieberman
Becky and Don Clemons
Ronna Miller
Majesta Davids
Donna Swiergosz
Sue Cloak
Dawn Clemons and William Thompson
Treva Profeta
Patterson Conn Ashton
Jeanne Ashton
Ralph E. Smith
Donna and Charles Harrigan
Nancy Carignan
Walkersville Volunteer Fire Co.
Yvonne Castano
Shirley Carter
Sherri Coburn
Tom Finneran
Leona Conrad
Carol and James Dodge
Rebecca and Edward Vaughan
Fiona Finneran
Adriana Beatty
Joan and A.J. Richter
Marie and Floyd Callahan
Marjorie Brooks
Betsy Burdette
Virginia and Donald Goetz
Ina Hunsucker
Anne Cirrito
Hilary and Michael Talis
Traci Ferraro
Ina Hunsucker
Individual Donations
Juanita S Pitts
Margaret Gingell
Garber Carol
Donna and Jim DePowell
Mildred L. Kroitzsch
Kathy and Rob Scharlau
Nancy and Kenneth Hollmann
Earline Moll
Statia Servick
Janice and Bill Justice
Pat Clemons
Sharon and Jerry Nelson
Sherri and Steve Roth
Sandra Lamb
Karly Grilliot
Jan and Ron Davis
Marjorie and Fred Nordstrom
Ottawa Co. Board of Develp. Disabilities
Beth Burgett
Vicki Greer
Sherri Coburn
Ellie Fox
Lila Williamson
Terry Drake
Pam Jamison Russell
Carl Theorin
Jennifer Felt
Lois Timberlake
George Glidden
Alfred Holland
Jeannette Botha
Elizabeth and Arnold Harris
Louise Paparella
Josephine and William Bruce
Jan Driefer
Civic Gifts and Grants
United Way of Lee, Hendry & Glades
NARFE
Sanibel Congregational United Church
Bayside Socialites
Heritage Palms Ladies 9 Hole
Golf Association Events
Heritage Palms Ladies 9 Hole Golf Assoc.
Heritage Palms Golf & CC
Heritage Palms Mens Golf Association
Patricia Pfeiffer
Jo Ann Alford
Charlynn Allen
Stasia Arcarese
Christine Benoit
Arlene Dugan
Gerald Farrell
Carrie Goga
Lena Knight
Linda Neisler
James Salvaggio
Judy Stedman
Dinah Tansey
Margaret Yang
Kathleen Pedulla
Lynne Vandy
Mary Breen
Janice Baldwin
Janice Mathews
Nellomi Carnahan
Mary Valenti-Sizemore
Jane Balfour
Frank Boynton
Gertrude Cleary
Joann Cooney
Brian Lee
Mary Melone
Jane McWeeny
Gail Murdoch
Miriam Shook
Martha Simmons
Melody Smothers
Jean Truesdale
Richard Grosse
Adrian Stevens
R. Salvaggio
The Salvaggio Family
Beller’s Salon & Spa
Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders
Saul Ewing Centre Square West
Redar Golf 2 Gulf Realty Group
K. Fortuna Realty
Linda Lamb & Company
Dennis L. Salvaggio, PA
The Trophy Case of Ft Myers
Brennan Grimm Insurance Agency
Premier Showcase Design
Herd Enterprises Inc
Karen Schmidt Inc
Weather Control Air Conditioning Inc
CCC Ladies 9 Hole Golf Assn
Rosemary Steadman Allstate
12468 Brantley Commons Court
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239) 437-3007
www.alzheimersswfl.org
[email protected]
ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUPS
BONITA SPRINGS
The Terraces at Bonita Springs
2nd Monday, 2:00 p.m.
Hope Lutheran Church
4th Monday, 10:30 a.m.
CAPE CORAL
Gulf Coast Village
1st & 3rd Thursdays, 2:00 p.m.
FORT MYERS
Broadway Community Church
2nd Tuesday, 2:00 p.m.
Community Cooperative’s Social
Education Resource Center
4th Tuesday, 1:00 p.m.
Riverside Church
4th Tuesday, 2:00 p.m.
Westminster Presbyterian
2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 9:45 a.m.
Fort Myers Congregational
United Church of Christ
4th Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.
Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
3rd Thursday, 6:15 p.m.
NORTH FORT MYERS
Pine Lakes Country Club
4th Thursday, 2:00 p.m.
PINE ISLAND
Pine Island United Methodist
1st Thursday, 10:30 a.m.
LEHIGH*
United Way House
1st & 3rd Monday, 2:00 p.m.
SANIBEL
Sanibel Congregational
United Church of Christ
4th Wednesday, 1:30 p.m.
LABELLE
Oakbrook of LaBelle
1st Wednesday, 1:00 p.m.
PUNTA GORDA
The Palms of Punta Gorda
2nd Thursday, 2:00 p.m.
PORT CHARLOTTE
Charlotte Cultural Center
The Learning Place
4th Thursday, 10:30 a.m.
ADULT CHILDREN GROUP
Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
1st Tuesday, 6:15 p.m.
LONG TERM CARE
Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
3rd Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.s. POsTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #914
FORT MYERs, Fl
SPEAKERS
VA Benefits,
What Family Caregivers Need to Know
Richard Beck, Veteran Services Manager
Department of Veterans Affairs
Cape Coral:
July 16th | 2:00 p.m.
Evaluating Claims for “The Cure”
Mary Freyre, RN
Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center
Westminster: July 22nd | 9:45 a.m.
Care Options, Costs and How to Pay for It
Stuart Gaines, CPA/MBA
Satori Pathway
Lehigh Acres: August 3rd | 2:00 p.m.
Cape Coral: August 20th | 2:00 p.m.
Westminster: August 26th | 9:45 p.m.
To be Announced
Cape Coral: September 17th | 2:00 a.m.
Westminster: September 23rd | 9:45 a.m.
For information, please call
(239) 437-3007.
Please Note Holiday Schedule Changes:
* Lehigh September 7th group is cancelled due to Labor Day