1. health and fitness
2. disease

A L Z H E I M E R ’ S
O F
C E N T R A L
A L A B A M A
The Alzheimer’s Update
A Local Organization Helping Local Families
Fall 2014
Dementia: Watching a Video of Life in Reverse
If it’s a skill you learn, Alzheimer’s can cause
you to unlearn it. We teach children to walk,
talk, feed themselves, bathe, use the toilet and
act properly. Teenagers learn manners and selfcontrol. This learning is stored on nerve cells.
Those skills diminish over time as dementia
kills brain cells. The dying brain causes adult
behavior to reverse. Early stage patients need
supervision much like teenagers. As patients
progress, they need custodial care and function
like a 5 to 10 year old. End stage patients
require nursing care much like an infant.
independence by demonstrating the task, using
a gentle touch and communicating in short
clear sentences.
Patients are still adults who deserve dignity and
respect. As self-care skills diminish, support
their independence as long as it is safe and
appropriate. You cannot change their behavior
by rationalizing and reasoning. Seek to foster
ACA Development Campaign
ACA’s 2014 development campaign is well underway. With a matching gift of $40,000, we launched our first annual campaign that will help
families who are hurting today and in need of our services, education and support. Permanent gifts to ACA’s Endowment Fund offer donors
a way to make a gift now or through a planned gift in their estate. Every dollar makes a difference. Your donations to ACA stay in Alabama
helping Alabama families. These generous donors have demonstrated exceptional leadership and support through their gifts and commitments.
These gifts and pledges are from September of 2013 to September of 2014.
Named endowment
gifts-Legacy Gift
Charter Members with
gifts ($25,000 level
& above):
Legacy Gift Club
Annual Campaign
Charter Members –
Leadership Donors
Inaugural year current ($1,000 & above):
Ken and Nina Botsford
Patsy and Charles Collat, Sr.
The Engel Family
Miller and Phil Piggott
Susan and David Silverstein in Memory of
Carolyn Tilson
Harry Bayer
Jeffrey Bayer
Emmie and Herman Bolden
Cheryl and Charlie Collat, Jr.
Susie Collat
Lynn Campisi
Mary and Eddie Cummings
Sarah Curatella
Shelia and Doug DeMedicis
James S. M. French
Nancy and Glenn Goedecke
Ann K. Kirkland
Caki and Larry Mendel
Susann Montgomery-Clark
and Rod Clark
Susan and Greg Womack
A
or planned gifts
($1,000 level & above):
Judy and Hal Abroms
Frances and Claude Bennett
Barbara and Chris Blackerby
Christine Clark
Patsy and Charles Collat, Sr.
Shelia and Doug DeMedicis
Carolyn and Henry Frohsin
Elizabeth Crooks and David Geldmacher
Sarah and Mike Harfield
Lindy Harrell
Becky and Steve Hendricks
Susan and Tom Lowder
Susann Montgomery-Clark and Rod Clark
Miller and Phil Piggott
Murray and Joseph South
Nancy and Murray Smith
Anne and Mike Warren
Jeri Kronenberg Wolff
Jewell and Leon Zalenski
The “A’s”of Alzheimer’s
Acceptance is the first step to coping.
Change what you can – like your attitude;
accept what you can’t.
Arguments are useless. Attempts to
rationalize and reason only frustrate you
and your loved one. Try distraction instead.
Assess and reassess often. This disease is
progressive. What works today may not
tomorrow.
Assuming your patient can comprehend
may lead to communication breakdowns.
Even patients who are verbal may
not comprehend.
Agitation can be reduced when the
caregiver is calm and respectful and
offers reassurance.
alzca.org
Telling Stories
Appropriate
activities help pass
the time, reduce
agitation and
boredom. Simple
repetitive activities
like folding towels
are better than
staring at the TV.
Patsy and Charles Collat
Appreciate good moments and good days.
Seize the laughter and cherish little things.
Awareness of the impact of caregiving
means that you take care of yourself
too. Sleep, eat and exercise right. See
your doctor when necessary. Self-monitor
for depression. Find time for pleasurable
activities.
205.871.7970 or 866.806.7255
ACA’s 2015 calendar, “Telling Stories,”
features artwork by dementia patients
participating in arts programming in local
assisted living facilities and adult day care
centers. Calendars are $10 each, including
shipping and are the perfect holiday gift.
Special Thanks to Charles
Collat for his Leadership
Two years ago, Charles Collat
realized ACA could not continue
to meet the growing needs of
Alzheimer’s patients in our
community through special
events and grant writing. With
waiting lists for services that have
never been longer, Charles was
inspired to do more. Through
his leadership, ACA has established an
Endowment Fund at the Community
Foundation of Greater Birmingham. His
children made the initial donation to the
fund. Charles has pledged $1 million to
honor his wife. This transformative gift
gives ACA permanence. Charles’ generosity
is inspiring others to make commitments.
The Endowment Fund ensures ACA will be
better equipped to care for patients now and
in the future. Thank you Collat Family!
facebook.com/alzca
ALZHEIMER’S OF CENTRAL ALABAMA
Walking to
Remember
Save the
Following Dates:
Thanksgiving Arbor
October 22 - November 12
On display at Brookwood Village.
Share a memory you are thankful for
Statewide Day of Prayer
Sunday, November 9
November 1, 2014
Walking to Remember is going RETRO!!! Grab a
friend, form a team or walk as an individual, inside the
Riverchase Galleria, for this fun, three-mile Walk to
raise money for services, education and research.
Call 205-871-7970 for a registration packet or
email vholder@alzca.org.
Candle Lighting Service
and Annual Meeting
Join us in the Food Court Area
Registration – 7:30 a.m. • Walk – 8:30 a.m.
Walkers raising a minimum of $50 receive a tie dyed
T-shirt! Must be present to collect, while supplies last.
Friday, November 14
Homewood Library, 8:30 a.m.
Located at:
300 Office Park Drive, Suite 225
Birmingham, Alabama 35223
Post Office Box 2273
Birmingham, Alabama 35201-2273
(205) 871-7970
www.alzca.org
Our 2014 Corporate Sponsors
ALZHEIMER’S
OF CENTRAL
ALABAMA
Non-profit org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 1564
Birmingham, AL
Caregiver Tips for Dealing with Dementia
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama is
Consult your higher power; that’s what keeps
us going. Pray daily for patience. Don’t take
things personally. Just love on your loved
one.
a local organization helping local
families. Our caregivers shared
advice to help you on your journey:
My Mother enjoyed helping people and
nursing them back to health. Now it’s hard
to get her to get out of the chair once she
sits down. Sometime I get her up by saying,
“Madea come here, I need you to help me.”
She’ll say, “OK, I’m coming” and try to get up.
Join a support group or find a kindred
caregiver to talk and share with.
Have a lot of patience. Don’t force them to do
anything. When agitated, back off.
Treat the individual as a person. Talk to them.
Listen to them. Hug and love them. Take care
of yourself physically. Get some sleep. Have
some fun. Realize you cannot do it all!
Lillie Mae and Brenda
Get clothing with elastic. No more belts,
zippers or buttons.
be. I can’t control this situation or change it.
I can only change the way I respond to it and
I try to respond with love.
Find compassion…I didn’t have it in the
beginning. Accept your loved one for where
they are and not where you want them to
Control your temper. Talk to them in a
soothing voice. If you show that you are
agitated, they will become more agitated.
You must take care of yourself first in order to
take care of your loved one.
Cherish every moment of every day. Find
sometime to take a few minutes for yourself
each day.
Pace yourself and let some things go.