Archive for February, 2009
February 25th, 2009
Most of us can relate to walking into a room and having no idea why we
are standing there. It’s usually humorous, frustrating and fleeting;
a few seconds later, we figure it out and go on with life. At other
times, we might literally not be able to recall the name of our best
friend; yet, in a few moments, the name comes to us & we have a good
laugh. For those with progressing dementia, the scene is much
different. Words and memory fail those with dementia with a much
different result: the words and memory don’t return.
That’s where the art materials come in.
Because I’m an art therapist working in an adult day care setting, I’m
unabashedly partial to the use of art materials by persons with
dementia. From crayons to clay, pre-made craft kits to found objects,
using art materials seem to help those who have “lost” something gain
it back. Some professionals think it’s the process of making art that
matters; others think it’s the product that’s the focus. The seniors
at the adult day care don’t care whether it’s product or process–they
care that they have found a way to express themselves without words,
to enjoy a few moments in time, to sense pride in the completion of
their work of art. Art therapy tends to be a non-threatening way for
the seniors to express emotions & thoughts. Artwork doesn’t have to
rely on lost words or on the inability to recall information. The use
of the art materials may build eye hand coordination/dexterity or
improve cognitive functioning. Some seniors literally seem to come to
life when making simple creations. You can sense pride and purpose as
they finish a work of art. For others, the beauty is in connecting
with others at their table–art is a social avenue. They smile, share
their art, create connections. Other seniors find respite from the
anxiety, confusion and fear they experience daily. Others find
comfort in creating something tangible, something permanent that says,
“I was here.”
Simple art materials, profound results.
Donna Addison, MS/ATR-BC/LCPC,Director, Brightside Adult Day Services
February 16th, 2009
I was talking to a senior who was feeling depressed. She had gone to her medical doctor last week. Her doctor told her, “What did you expect? You’re old.”
Time for a new doctor.
Depression in the elderly is not part of the “normal” aging process. Seniors with symptoms of depression should be taken seriously & offered help.
Signs of depression can include decreased ability or interest in completing activities of daily living; change in appetite & sleep pattern; increased medical & physical complaints; irritability, anger, anxiety or depressed mood; isolation; decreased concentration; decreased self esteem; feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness; and, in some cases, suicidal thinking, plan or action. For some, depression is a medical disorder they have been dealing with for a lifetime; for others, it’s a side effect of medications.
If ongoing symptoms of depression are noted, the primary care physician is usually a good place to start; however, if the doctor tells you that it’s just part of getting old, run–don’t walk!– to a different provider.
Medications for depression, review of prescribed medications (some meds seem to increase feelings of depression in the elderly), talk therapy, ruling out other medical conditions (i.e. underactive thyroid) or even getting involved in activities may be part of the healing process. Addressing stressors such as financial concerns or major loss is often beneficial.
While there is no magic pill or quick fix, there is help. Depression is not a normal part of aging. It’s not a weakness, in your head or something you have to live with.
Donna Addison, MS/ATR-BC/LCPC, Director Brightside Adult Day Services
February 13th, 2009
There are many opinions as to what causes mental illness. Take Mikey for instance (story told in last blog entry); why is he having such difficulty? Is it the way he is being parented–or how about his absent father? His father has bipolar disorder. Did Mikey inherit it from his father? Was he born this way or did the illness develop over time? How can a 5 year old have such serious problems?
Unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma around mental illness, even in 2009. A close cousin to stigma is a “blame the parent” mentality that sees all childhood problems to be the result of faulty parenting. In reality, even if “faulty parenting” is a contributing factor to a child’s problems, one must be aware that few problems are caused by one thing in isolation. There is usually a combination of factors. Besides, blaming the parent does nothing to solve the problems at hand when faced with a family’s frustration over a child’s emotional / social difficulties.
While no one knows for sure the cause of any specific mental illness, the best science of the day tells us that mental illness is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, or as some put it, biology and environment. For instance, if you have a parent or sibling with bipolar disorder, then there is a 10-15% likelihood that you will develop it. If you have a second-degree relative like a grandparent or aunt, then the likelihood is half that amount (5-10%). If you have no family history of mood disorders, the percentage chance that you will get it is even less.
The more we are learning about the human genome, the more we are realizing the interplay between environmental experiences and turning on specific genes. Our genetic makeup is inherited but how and when certain genes are turned on can be the result of environmental factors.
The actual development of the brain—its neurons and synapses is use dependent. How the brain develops in a given child is as much the result of childhood experiences as heredity (“Genes are the scaffolding, but the fine detail is tuned by interaction with the environment.” Gazzaniga, Michael S. The Ethical Brain, p. 48).
A study that has its roots in the 80’s and was given flesh in the 90’s indicates that adverse childhood experiences contribute greatly to a person’s biological and mental health later in life. (ACE study by -The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]-Kaiser Permanente and -Emory University Department of Pediatrics). Adverse childhood experiences include childhood abuse and neglect, growing up with domestic violence, substance abuse or mental illness in the home, parental discord, crime. For example, the study demonstrated that people who grew up with four or more adverse childhood experiences had a 460% greater chance of developing depression than someone who did not have adverse childhood experiences.
From a biological perspective, mental illness can be the result of chemical imbalances of the brain as well as head injury or other damage to the central nervous system. Recently, the news has indicated that the number 1 problem
Iraq vets are coming home with is “Traumatic Brain Injury” as a result of the concussive force of improvised explosive devices.
So what causes mental illness? Mental illness is caused by a combination of nature and nurture; biology and environment; genes and brain chemicals. Likely it is a combination of heredity and early childhood experiences that have contributed to Mikey’s behavioral problems. Next time we’ll look at warning signs for mental illness in general and then we will look at some specific disorders.
February 9th, 2009
Maybe you’ve just retired and you are looking forward to a little “down time.” Your children are grown and have families of their own. Or, maybe you are working full-time senior citizen and are struggling to make ends meet, barely paying your own bills.
Suddenly, you find yourself with a new responsibility: you’ve just become a grandparent raising grandchildren.
It’s Parenting, Part II.
While it’s not a new concept for grand-kids to live with their grandparents—after all, my own cousins were raised in our grandparents’ house forty years ago—it seems to be a growing phenomenon in today’s world. The reasons for grand-kids coming to live with grandparents are as varied as the kids themselves: death, family conflict, incarceration, divorce, drug abuse, military obligation, mutual agreement. If this wasn’t a planned arrangement or occurs in a crisis situation, your life may be turned upside down. Even if this is a planned arrangement, it is a life-changing event. Bills increase, responsibilities multiple, daily schedules are interrupted, plans are canceled, emotions run high, energy once saved for retirement is expended in a much different manner.
Words of wisdom for Grandma & Grandpa: take advantage of help that is available at the local, state and national level. Rockford is fortunate to have many providers that provide assistance to grandparents raising grandchildren. Support groups, emergency funding, educations programs, gap filling, entitlement assistance, legal help, insurance information, tuition help and even counseling are all there for the taking; you just have to find and take advantage of it. In addition to getting the support you need to successfully navigate this second round of parenting, it’s a good way to take care of your own health—mental, physical and emotional health. No matter how great your relationship is with your grandchild, any assistance you can utilize will make this endeavor that much easier. Without your health, success will be difficult.
Great places to find information on resources & assistance include but are certainly not limited to Northern Illinois Area Agency on Aging (NIAAA), Illinois Department of Aging, AARP, Lifescape Community Services, area churches, social service agencies and mental health providers. The Internet can also serve as a good resource, as evidenced by the volume of websites dedicated to this very specific subject. “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Illinois” (brochure) is a great starting point for finding available services. http://www.state.il.us/aging/1news_pubs/publications/grg_brochure.pdf. Another helpful website is Grandfactsheets.org, which lists grandparents-raising-grandchildren services available state by state.
Forty years ago, my cousins were raised in our grandparents’ home because of situations related to the divorce of their parents. There were countless benefits to the arrangement, but there were also many stressors. They were fortunate to have financial means & a safe living environment to make this living arrangement work. In today’s world, many grandparents are not in the same position, living in poverty & with barely a roof over their head. No matter what your situation, know that you are not alone and that there is help available for you. Find support and seek help so you can enjoy both your retirement years AND your grandchildren.
Donna Addison, MS/ATR-BC/LCPC, Director, Brightside Adult Day Services
February 3rd, 2009
Imagine you’re a baby-boomer working full time while raising a family; then, add an aging parent with beginning stages of dementia to the household. Juggling responsibilities becomes more complicated, needs of the family intensify, scheduling your day becomes a job in itself. You run from work to your daughter’s soccer game to your mom’s medical appointment. Your employer doesn’t have written policies on Elder Care, so you use the last of your sick days to stay home with Mom and hope she gets better before the sick time runs out.
Welcome to “The Sandwich Generation.”
If it’s any consolation, you are not alone. It’s downright common these days for people to live into their 80’s and 90’s. In turn, longer life spans have led to an increased need for family to care for their own. Adult children are moving their aging parents into their homes, whether it be to maintain parents’ independence as long as possible, decrease parental loneliness or to provide increased support—all while raising their own kids under the same roof.
It’s easy to identify many rewards & benefits to being a member of “The Sandwich Generation;” however, there are also many stressors, especially when Mom or Dad is beginning to show signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. You know Mom’s not “ready” for nursing home placement but you’re not sure you want to leave her alone during the day, as she seems to be struggling with confusion and memory loss. Flex options aren’t an option and life still has to go on with the rest of the family. Suddenly, visions of the happy multi-generational family are fading into the sunset.
One of the healthiest things family caregivers can do is to take care of themselves by utilizing respite & service options in the community. Like the old adage says, you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of someone else.
The level of service depends on the situation with the parent. If the parent has memory issues, decreased opportunity for socialization and/or confusion when staying alone, Adult Day Service can be an excellent option, offering socialization, a safe environment, meals, therapeutic activities, medication management, meals—and, much needed time for the caregiver to rejuvenate. You get peace of mind while your parent enjoys a great day. You go to work without constant distraction, take care of personal business without worrying through the whole event or just take a few minutes to relax. Who doesn’t need a few minutes to visit the local DQ and slam down an ice cream sundae?
Adult Day Services offer respite five days a week, usually with much flexibility in scheduling. Cost is concern for most, but various funding options are available. A bonus is that transportation is often available. When considering use of adult day care, make sure to visit the site & talk to the staff. Adult Day Services won’t solve all your world crises, but it may give you a well-deserved break in your hectic day. Don’t be surprised to see an improvement in your parent’s overall functioning…and, don’t be surprised if you feel a whole lot less stressed.
Donna Addison, MS/ATR-BC/LCPC
2/3/09
