Present: Shelli Crogan (Interim HealthCare), Richard Amico (St. Edward's), Amanda Mondello (Mechanicville Comm Ctr), Gina Gaudio (Mechanicville Comm Ctr), Lois Bourke (Schuyler Ridge ADHC), Karl Francis (CDCI), Eva Weaver (Raymond Watkins), Janel Nickol (Saratoga Bridges), Ann Quinn (Home Health Care Partners), Jessica Pino (Schuyler Ridge ADHC), Debra Obenhoff (Home Helpers and Direct Link), Cathy Tucker (Ameriprise Financial), Robin Blostein (Eddy VNA), Kathy Wallace (SAIL), Susan Axelrod (Saratoga Hospital Foundation), Kim Anderson Swire (CHOICES/St. Peter's Hospital), Clare Colamaria (A Senior's Choice), Dawn Lincoln (SAIL), JoAnn Zales (National Grid), Jocelyn Blanchard (SAIL), Robert Brayman (SAIL), Cindy Harrington (Shelters of Saratoga), Bonnie Logan (RSVP), Mary Ricard (Saratoga Co. OFA), Holly Pajak (Redesign in Mind), Lorrie Shilling (The Wesley Community)
Next meeting: Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Location: St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park
Topic: Mental Health: Diagnoses, Challenges, and Support Services
**We will hold meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, 2:00-3:30 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
“Our mission is to promote community awareness of the programs and services available to Saratoga County residents who are aging and/or disabled, and their caregivers, so as to better meet the needs of these ever increasing populations.”
Introductions & Announcements:
• Opening/Introduction-Cindy Harrington
• Shelters of Saratoga held their First Annual Gala on 4/7/11 at Longfellow's. Approximately 160 people attended, and it was a very successful event.
• Holly Pajack will do a presentation on 5/5/11 at the Saratoga Library discussing how to simplify the life-changing process of seniors leaving their present lifestyle and downsizing — moving in with family, moving to a retirement center or making other living arrangements that mean major changes.
• Lorrie Schilling announced that The Wesley Community will hold an open house on 5/6 and 5/7/11.
• Kathy Wallace of Southern Adirondack Independent Living said their organization will be holding a fundraiser.
• Joan Zales of National Grid announced that HEAP has been extended for those in need. It may be extended through 5/15/11.
• Cindy Harrington said that, per Barb McHugh of Clifton Park, there will be a Senior Expo on 10/28/11 at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library.
• Cindy Harrington announced that the Aging and Disability Network is approaching four years old.
• Cindy Harrington announced that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Our next meeting, on 5/10/11, will feature a panel that will address a variety of mental health illnesses, issues, and support services.
Confirmed speakers include:
1. Amber Christian Osterhout-Amber has a sibling with a mental health diagnosis. She will talk about the stigma attached to a mental illness diagnosis.
2. Marge Zak-Marge will discuss the support group NAMI.
3. Other panelist to be confirmed.
Topic and Speaker: "Neurological Disorders 101," presented by Beth Smith-Boivin, Director of the Alzheimer's/Dementia Resource Program at the Alzheimer's Center at Albany Med.
The presentation included an explanation of the similarities, differences, and resources available for the most common neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Multi-Vascular Dementia.
***Beth provided a handout that gave extensive information about Dementia. Cindy will try to get an electronic file from Beth so that those who would like a copy of the handout may have one.
Beth indicated that there is a fine line between Normal Aging Memory, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and early Alzheimer's onset.
Normal Aging Memory:
-This refers to common memory changes that occur as we get older.
-We are asking more of our memory than any previous generation.
-We should expect some atrophying in the brain, as we age.
-Slower processing by the brain, involving information, begins at around age 70.
-Late in our sixties and into our early seventies, people begin to have increased difficulty with naming (i.e. people, places, objects, etc.).
-If issues are worse than with Normal Aging Memory, this may indicate Mild Cognitive Impairment.
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI):
-About 70% of those with MCI will convert to Alzheimer's in 3-5 years, although about 30% will never convert. This is currently an important issue in the research arena.
-With MCI, there are subtle changes.
-Those with MCI usually self-identify.
-Aerobic exercise, 5 days per week, is helpful.
-There may be a relationship between MCI and Insulin Resistance.
Dementia-general information:
-Dementia is not a disease, in and of itself, although it can be equated with cancer.
-One needs to know what type of Dementia is being dealt with.
-One also needs to be aware of available treatments (if any).
-It is important to know what to expect from the illness that is identified.
-There are about 100 types of Dementia.
-Per the New York Times, five new genes have been identified that are associated with Alzheimer's Disease.
-99% of people with Down's Syndrome will develop Alzheimer's Disease.
- By age 85, 49.2% of adults will have Alzheimer's Disease.
-Monochromal Antibodies strengthen cells so that they are not susceptible to Alzheimer's Disease.
-In the USA, there are 32 sanctioned Alzheimer's treatment centers. There are another 30 that are not as big as the first group of treatment centers and are referred to as second tier treatment facilities. Albany Med is one of this second tier group.
*There are three types/categories of Dementia:
-Reversible
-Irreversible
-Mixed
*Beth discussed each of these in detail.
Reversible Dementia may be the result of:
-Brain tumor or cancer
-Normal Pressure Hydroencephalitis (NPH)
-Metabolic conditions (i.e. hypo-thyroid or vitamin D deficiency)
-Other conditions, such as high infection
Irreversible Dementia includes:
-Multi-Infarct Dementia, which may be caused by a stroke or a series of strokes. It is not progressive
-Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Lewy Body, Frontotemporal Dementia Huntington's, and MS. All of these are always progressive and always result in death.
-Other, which may include brain degeneration due to illnesses such as CJD (Mad Cow)
Mixed Dementia may be caused by:
-Strokes and head injuries, which may progress to Alzheimer's
-Post-Alcohol Syndrome, which may also progress to Alzheimer's
*Most Common Types of Dementia:
-Alzheimer's Disease
-Frontotemporal Dementia
-Lewy Body Dementia
-Parkinson's Disease
-Multi-Infarct Dementia
*Beth discussed each of these illnesses in detail.
Diagnosis:
According to Beth, it is extremely important to obtain an accurate, differentiated diagnosis, via a professional diagnostic workup. Early concerns may be addressed by a general practitioner, who may then make a referral to an appropriate specialist, such as a neurologist.
A question was asked about Bi-polar Disorder. According to Beth, the onset of this illness usually occurs when a person is in his/her twenties. It rarely starts when someone is in his/her forties or later.
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie L. Logan, Volunteer
Saratoga County Office for the Aging/RSVP
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment