Alzheimers Care at Autumn Years

Dementia Assessments: Why The Global Deterioration Scale Is Important

2007-10-04T20:41:00.002-07:00

Tuesday, October 02, 2007, 5:42:33 AM Sue

Dementia caregivers are constantly searching for information to make the caregiving process less complicated. Learning about a standard rating tool called "The Global Deterioration Scale" may help.

With The Help of Our Amazing Staff

2007-10-04T20:41:00.001-07:00

We train our staff members on the intricacies of senior and dementia care. They add the personal commitment, along with genuine love and respect for our residents. Listen to what they say…

Autumn Years at Newport Mesa(http://www.autumnyearsnewportmesa.com/playit.html?file=HomePage-P.swf)Autumn Years at Ojai(http://www.autumnyearsojai.com/playit.html?file=HomePage-Ojai.swf)

What Families say about Autumn Years.

2007-10-04T20:40:00.002-07:00

Please take your time to listen what Families say about Autumn Years.

What Residents say about Autumn Years

2007-10-04T20:40:00.001-07:00

Please take your time to listen what Resident say about Autumn Years.

2007-10-04T20:39:00.002-07:00

Please take your time to browse through our website. It is chock full of information and our passion to serve seniors and their families. You can learn about all the things we do, all the things our residents do, what makes our staff so special, the experiences of others and even our fee structure. Plus, we offer tips on senior care for family members. In addition, with certain pictures on this website (such as the ones to the upper and lower right), you can click on the "Play" button to listen to us discuss related topics or view a slide show.

If you want to contact Autumn years, the contact information will be on the Community Websites down below.

Autumn Years at Newport Mesa

Autumn Years at Ojai

Exelon Patch Receives European Union Approval, the First Skin Patch Therapy to Treat Alzheimer's disease

2007-10-04T20:39:00.001-07:00

The European Commission has approved Exelon patch (rivastigmine transdermal patch), an innovative way to deliver this effective medicine to patients suffering from mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease.

Exelon patch is the first and only transdermal treatment for Alzheimer's disease, a degenerative brain disorder affecting 18 million people worldwide and the third leading cause of death behind cardiovascular disease and cancer3. The skin patch is applied oncedaily to the back, chest or upper arm of patients.

"Exelon patch represents a therapeutic innovation that is designed specifically to meet the needs of patients, caregivers and physicians involved with this devastating disease," said James Shannon, MD, Global Head of Development at Novartis Pharma AG. "The patch has been shown to increase compliance, reduce side effects, and allow medication to be delivered through the skin into the bloodstream smoothly and continuously over 24 hours, helping to achieve optimal dosing. All these benefits offer the potential for improved outcomes in patients," Shannon said. The European Union approval, coming soon after the US approval in July 2007, was based on results from the international IDEAL (Investigation of Transdermal Exelon in ALzheimer's disease) study, which involved nearly 1,200 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease1.

The patch showed similar efficacy to the highest doses of Exelon capsules, as well as significant improvement in memory and the ability to perform everyday activities compared to placebo1. In addition, the IDEAL study demonstrated three times fewer reports of gastrointestinal side-effects (nausea and vomiting) with the patch than the oral form of the medication1.

"The patch is an important new addition to existing oral treatment options since it provides visual reassurance that patients have 'taken' their medicine," said Bruno Dubois, Professor of Neurology at the Hôpital Pitié Salpétrière, Centre de Neuropsychologie, Paris, France. "Just having to apply a patch can help reduce the burden of daily life for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families."

Designed with compliance in mind, the patch was preferred by more than 70% of caregivers as a method of drug delivery because it helped them follow treatment schedules and was easier to use than an oral medicine2. "People with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers welcome every new therapy for the disease," said Mark Wortmann, Executive Director of Alzheimer's Disease International - an umbrella organization of Alzheimer Associations around the world which offer support and advice to people with the disease and their carers. "I am pleased that the patch offers a new approach to treatment."

Exelon (rivastigmine) in capsule form has been approved since 1997 to treat patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease in more than 70 countries. Since 2006, Exelon in capsule form or oral solution has been the only member of the cholinesterase inhibitor class of medicines that is approved in both Europe and the US for treating mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease as well as Parkinson's disease dementia. On July 6, 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Exelon® Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease dementia. Alzheimer's disease affects one in 10 people over age 65, making it the most common form of dementia3. The global direct costs of dementia in 2003, for example, were estimated at USD 156 billion4.

Dementia Caregivers Discover Interactive Art

2007-10-04T20:37:00.002-07:00

Interactive artwork is a terrific intervention that dementia caregivers can use at home or in a facility setting. The principle behind this specialized artwork is simple; it is art, usually hung on the wall that involves the spectator in some...

With The Help of Our Amazing Staff

2007-10-04T20:37:00.001-07:00

We train our staff members on the intricacies of senior and dementia care. They add the personal commitment, along with genuine love and respect for our residents. Listen to what they say…

Autumn Years at Newport Mesa

(http://www.autumnyearsnewportmesa.com/playit.html?file=HomePage-P.swf)

Autumn Years at Ojai

(http://www.autumnyearsojai.com/playit.html?file=HomePage-Ojai.swf)

Assisted living Philosophy

2007-10-04T20:36:00.002-07:00

WE ARE NOT A FACILITY

Many assisted living facilities are institutional like buildings. At SeniorCare Communities we are dedicated to managing and building “Communities.”. Our Communities are where friendships are made, laughter is shared, and grieving is not done alone.

FOOD IS OUR BEST ACTIVITY

Think about the best times of your life they are usually in a meal setting. We will always remember that cold rainy day laughing with our family while eating grilled cheese sandwiches and hot chicken noodle soup. …

WE COMMUNICIATE

Since we have these passionately held beliefs, we feel bound to communicate to our residents and their families what progress is being made. We do this through our LifeCare Plan

WE KNOW REAL HEROES

At SeniorCare, we have the privilege of seeing heroes every day- our own LifeCaregivers! These people give of themselves sacrificially in order to help our residents. Many will tell you that they get back so much more than they give…they get back love, gratitude and knowledge that their lives have meaning and significance.
At the end of they day, this is the true meaning of success!

Med Pass

2007-10-04T20:36:00.001-07:00

Tip # 3 Contributed By: Cathy Ortega,

Alzheimer’s Manager

Wash hands before and after each med pass.

First pull out med cards and then compare to MARS.

Then take cards to the resident and do the 5 R’s:

Right Resident

Right Medication

Right Dose

Right Routes

Right Time

The resident has the right to refuse.

Watch that your resident swallows all their meds. If a resident refuses their

medications, come back in a few minutes and try again.

If that doesn’t work then see if another Med Aide can try if available.

If the resident still refuses then circle med on card and circle initials on MAR.

On back of MAR state why the resident refused medication.

Keep Them Calm and Happy

2007-10-04T20:35:00.001-07:00

Tip # 2 Contributed By: Elenor Teano

When an Alzheimer or dementia afflicted resident thinks they are in the past,

play along with them in their reality instead of trying to argue with them

to bring them back into the present. It helps keep them calm and happy

and that helps everyone.

It will be quicker and easier to contact

2007-10-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

Tip # 4 Contributed By: Elenor Teano

If your facility uses walkie-talkies or radios, keep one for the memory care unit

so in case of emergency or if they need help from the nurse or the front desk

it will be quicker and easier to contact them.

Welcome To Autumnyears

2007-08-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

We are happy that you have come to visit our website. We are also very proud to introduce you to our senior care community that specializes in helping individuals who are dealing with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
Please take your time to browse through our website. It is chock full of information and our passion to serve seniors and their families. You can learn about all the things we do, all the things our residents do, what makes our staff so special, the experiences of others and even our fee structure. Plus, we offer tips on senior care for family members.