7NOV15 and 21NOV15 - Two Days Dementia Care Training Workshop "Living with Dementia"

Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) will be conducting a Two-Day Dementia Care Training Workshop, comprising of 4-Modules, as follows:

Date: 

Saturday, 7 November 15 - Module One & Module Two

Saturday, 21 November 15 - Module Three & Module Four 

Duration of Workshop:   8.30am to 6.00pm (8 hours each over two full days)

Venue:  ADFM PJ Day-Care Centre, No. 6,  Lorong 11/8E, Seksyen 11, 46200 PJ.

Group Size:  Limited to 20 – 24 participants only

Objectives:  This informative and interactive Training Workshop comprising of following 4 Modules is designed to equip the caregivers with a deeper understanding of dementia on a person-centered approach to care, practical skills in responding to and handling the different challenges, and to make a difference to the life of a person with dementia.

Module One - Understanding of Dementia

Module Two - Behavioural Effects of Dementia

Module Three - Effective Communication Skills

Module Four - Activities for Living and Pleasure

Workshop Leaders: 

(1)  Ms Sharon Soon, Nurse Consultant for Aged Care and Psychogeriatric Care, accredited Educator in Palliative Care Nursing.

(2)  Dr Elizabeth Chong, Geriatrician

(3)  Dr Khor Hui Min, Geriatrician 

Target participants:  Family caregivers and individuals caring for people with dementia. 

Certificate of Attendance:  Will be issued on request.

Fee: 

§  RM100  per participant for family caregivers   

§  RM150 per participant for other individuals

Registration:  Email completed Registration form to jenny@adfm.org.my.

Payment:  Payment can be by cash or cheque, and bank in direct to ADFM Bank Account with CIMB at Account No. 800 229 3277.  Email copy of payment slip to jenny@adfm.org.my for confirmation of registration and accounting record.   

More information:  Contact Jenny at Tel: 03 7931 5850 / 016 608 2513 or email jenny@adfm.org.my.

We look forward to having you at the workshop. 

Kind regards.

MEMORY WALK “REMEMBER ME”

SUNDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2015

7.30AM – 12.00PM

BUKIT JALIL RECREATIONAL PARK

Lebuhraya Bukit Jalil, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur

(ENTRANCE – GATE 3) 

Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) jointly with Rotary Club Sri Petaling and University Malaya’s MeLor, and supported by Eisai Malaysia, is having a MEMORY WALK to commemorate the fourth global World Alzheimer’s Month in September this year under the Theme ‘REMEMBER ME”, to raise greater awareness of this rapidly growing disease and reduce the stigma that surrounds dementia.     

Based on UN statistical projections for Malaysia, the number of people with dementia will grow to over 261 thousand by 2030 and 590 thousand by the year 2050.  Current estimate of those affected is 123 thousand.

The Theme “REMEMBER ME” is dedicated to Caregivers and their loved ones living with dementia, and remembering those who have passed away. 

JOIN THE MEMORY WALK to raise public awareness of this crippling disease and reduce the stigma attached to dementia.  Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Dementia can affect anyone of us or our loved ones.

PROGRAM:

7.30am	Warming Up Exercise by Jumpstart Fitness First
8.00am	Flag 0ff – 2km for AD Persons, and 5KM for Public (No worries!  If you can’t complete the 5km Fun Walk, your support and presence is more important J
9.00am	Collect Food and Drink
9.15am-12.00pm	Free Health Screening by UMMC Geriatric Team of Doctors & Nurses together with Nurses from MNA UMMC Branch
9.30am	Zumba Exercise
12.00pm	End (those who wish to leave early, they can do so)

Confirmation of Registration:  Email the RegistrationForm to jenny@adfm.org.my for confirmation, on first come first-served basis. 

Registration Fee:  RM20 per participant.  AD Persons FREE. (First 500 participants will get T-Shirt, Cap, Goody Bag, Drink & Food).    

Payment:  Refers to Registration Form. 

Enquiry:  Contact Jenny / Michael at Tel:  03 7931 5850 / 016 608 2513 or Email: jenny@adfm.org.my.

Kindly help to circulate to all your family members, friends, business associates, senior community clubs and social network for support. 

MEMORY WALK

Hurry, Sign Up Early !!

 See you at Bukit Jalil Recreational Park on 20 September soon !!!

Best wishes,

Memory Walk Organizing Team

SAT/12SEPT15 ADFM Public Carers Forum To Commemorate World Alzheimer's Month In September

CARERS' FORUM

Saturday, 12 September 2015

Time:  2.30pm – 5.00pm

Venue:  ADFM PJ Day-Care Centre, No. 6, Lorong 11/8E

Seksyen 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya

ADFM, jointly with Eisai Malaysia and University Malaya’s MeLOR, is organizing a “CARERS’ FORUM” in conjunction with the global commemoration of World Alzheimer’s Month in September under the Theme “REMEMBER ME”. 

All caregivers and their families are cordially invited to this Free Carers’ Forum.  

The caregiver or family member of a person who has Alzheimer’s Disease faces many challenges and experiences enormous stress, both in adjusting to their new role while coping with the profound changes in a loved one. The Carers’ Forum aims to address the plight and issues surrounding the caregiver with particular emphasis on Person Centred Care in Dementia Cases.

Dr Donald Yeo, a Clinical Neuropsychologist from Singapore (see profile below), will be conducting the Forum. Dr Yeo has a special interest in the psychological aspects of ageing and dementia and is a well-known advocate of and authority on Person Centred Care (PCC) in dementia cases.

After Dr Yeo’s explanation of the concept and principles of PCC, invited caregivers will share their experiences as a basis for discussion regarding the application of PCC principles and how best to achieve PCC goals in specific cases. 

Our Medical Specialists in the Panel, Dr Lee Fatt Soon from HKL and Assoc Prof Dr Chin Ai Vyrn from UMMC will also address care-giving issues raised by the participants.

Profile of Dr Donald Yeo

DPsych(ClinNeuro) (Australia), BSc(Hons)(Psychology) (UK), Dip(Applied Psychology) (UK), MSc(Innovation) (Singapore)

Dr DONALD YEO qualified as a Clinical Neuropsychologist (Doctor of Psychology) with a special interest in aging and dementia. Through 18 years of professional practice, advanced training, clinical research and supervision, he has established deep expertise in cognitive evaluation of patients with brain disorders and providing psychological support for family caregivers. He has co-created innovative Arts and Health community programs to benefit elderly persons with early cognitive decline. He is currently in private practice, supervises Masters in Clinical Psychology interns from National University of Singapore and James Cook University Singapore, and was previously Principal Neuropsychologist at Singapore General Hospital, Department of Neurology.

Admission will be by compulsory registration on a first come first served basis due to limited places.

Confirmation of Registration, Email the RegistrationForm to jenny@adfm.org.my or Fax to 03 7960 8482.  For clarification, contact  Jenny or Michael  at 03 7931 5850 or 016 608 2513.

From:  ADFM WAM Organizing Team 

SAT/12SEPT15 Public Awareness Seminar "Dementia In An Aging Society" Jointly By ADFM, Eisai Malaysia and MeLOR, University Malaya

PUBLIC DEMENTIA AWARENESS SEMINAR

“DEMENTIA IN AN AGING SOCIETY”

Saturday, 12 September 2015

Time:  8.45am – 12.30pm

Venue:  Klinikal Auditorium, Faculty of Medicine

University Malaya, Jalan University, Petaling Jaya

ADFM, jointly with Eisai Malaysia and UM MeLOR, is organizing a FREE Public Demenia Awareness Seminar in conjunction with the global commemoration of World Alzheimer’s Month in September under the Theme "REMEMBER ME".

The Topics to be covered by our pool of Medical Specialists are:

7.30am	Registration of Attendance
9.00am	Welcome Address by ADFM Exco, Honorary Chairman,  Datuk Dr Yim Khai Kee
9.10am	Alzheimer’s Disease in the Setting of An Aging Society by Dr Lee Fatt Soon from HKL
9.50am	Alzheimer’s Disease : Causes and Pathway by Dr Yau Weng Keong from HKL
10.30am	Break for Refreshment
10.50am	Alzheimer’s Disease : Risk Factors and Preventive Interventions by Dr Elizabeth Chong from HKL
11.30am	Latest Development on Medication & Treatments by Dr Chin Ai Vyrn of UMMC/UMSC
12.10pm	Q & As Session
12.40pm	End

The Public is cordially invited to this free Public Awareness Seminar,   Admission will be by compulsory registration on a first come first served basis. (Certificate of Attendance will be issued to healthcare professionals and allied healthcare workers upon request).

Confirmation of Registration, Email the Registration Form to jenny@adfm.org.my or Fax to 03 7960 8482.

Further information, contact Jenny or Michael at 03 7931 5850 or 016 608 2513.

From:  ADFM WAM Organizing Team

SAT/27JUNE15 ADFM Dementia Care Training Workshop - ESSENTIALS OF DEMENTIA CARE

ADFM National Caregivers Support Network will be conducting a  Dementia Care Training Workshop on ESSENTIALS OF DEMENTIA CARE with the objective to equip family caregivers, domestic carers and allied healthcare staff the essential knowledge and practical skills to understand and to effectively care for people affected by dementia. 

Details:

Day/Date:  SATURDAY, 27 JUNE 2015

Time:  8.30am to 5.30pm (Total Training Hours 7 Hours)

Venue:   ADFM PJ Day-Care Centre, Lorong 11/8E, Seksyen 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya.

Medium of Instruction:  English 

Group Size:  Limited to 25 participants.

Course Leader:  Ms Sharon A. H. Soon, RN, RM, RMN, Accredited Educator in Palliative Care Nursing, The Flinders University of South Australia, Nurse Consultant in Aged Care & Psychogeriatric Care (New Zealand).

Certificate of Attendance will be issued to participants who completed the one day training workshop. 

Learning Objective: The aim of this interactive video-aided training through experiential learning and role playing is to equip participants involved in the care of people living with dementia the essential knowledge and coping skills in understanding of persons with dementia, to deliver day-to-day care and activities of daily living.  

Program:

08.30am  Registration

09.00am  Introduction & Overview of Dementia

09.30am  Stages of Dementia

10.00am  Behavioural Problems

10.30am  TEA BREAK

11.00am  Managing Disturbed & Aggressive Behaviour

11.30am  Wondering & Care Management

12.00pm  Assisting with Mobility

12.30pm  Bathing/Grooming

 1.00pm   LUNCH BREAK

 1.45pm   Managing Meals & Care Management

 2.30pm   Incontinence & Care Management

 3.00pm   Communication Skills

 3.30pm   Self -Care

 4.00pm   TEA BREAK

 4.15pm   Activities & Practical Skills

 4.45pm   Q & As Session

 5.15pm   Summary, Closing & Photo session    

Course Fees:

To cover course materials, certificate of attendance, refreshments, lunch, and other administrative expenses:

1.  RM60 for family caregiver.

2.  RM80 per participant for other categories.

Registration:  

(1)  Email or fax completed Registration Form to jenny@adfm.org.my.  

(2)  Registration via email - provide Full Name/s, Mobile Contact, email address and indicate your profession. 

Payment: 

(1)  Payment by cash or cheque, please bank in direct to ADFM Bank Account with CIMB Bank at ADFM Account No.  800 2293177.  Email or Fax the Payment Receipt to: jenny@adfm.org.my for confirmation. 

(2)  By cheque, cheque should be crossed and made payable to “ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE FOUNDATION".

More Information:  Email jenny@adfm.org.my or contact 016 608 2513 (Jenny) / 03 7931 5850 (Michael Tan).

Kindly register early and be punctual.  Thanks and best wishes.

SAT/23MAY15 Kota Kinabalu - Awareness Talk & Caregivers Sharing Session On "Brain Failure and Behaviour" By Dr Richard Ng, Consultant Physician & Geriatrician

To:  ALL CAREGIVERS / MEMBERS IN SABAH

Kindly be informed that The Sabah Alzheimer’s Disease Support Association (SADA) in Kota Kinabalu will be having an Awareness Talk and Caregivers Sharing Session on:

TOPIC:   BRAIN FAILURE & BEHAVIOUR

SPEAKER:  DR RICHARD NG, Consultant Physician & Geriatrician

DAY/DATE:  SATURDAY, 23 MAY 2015

TIME:   2.00pm – 4.00pm

VENUE:   Jesselton Medical Centre (JMC), 3^rd floor, clinic Lounge, Jalan Metro 2, Metro Town, Off Jalan Lintas, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

More information, kindly contact Tel: 019 881 1030 (Ken Chau) or email kjchau88@hotmail.com.

SAT/23MAY15 TALK ON EPILEPSY BY PROF DATO DR RAYMOND AZMAN ALI, SENIOR CONSULTANT NEUROLOGIST

Kindly be advised that ADFM National Caregivers Support Network will be having a Talk on:

TOPIC:    EPILEPSY

SPEAKER:    Prof Dato Dr Raymond Azman Ali, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Dean, Medical Faculty UKM and Director, UKM Medical Centre

TIME/DATE:   2.30pm, Saturday, 23 May 2015

VENUE:   ADFM PJ Day-Care Centre, No. 6,Lorong 11/8E, Seksyen 11, 46200 Petaling Jaya

In his presentation, Prof Dato Dr Raymond Azman Ali will cover the causes of blackouts on the different types of seizures and the treatments.

What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes repeated seizures, which were sometimes previously referred to as "fits".

Electrical activity is happening in our brain all the time. A seizure happens when there is a sudden burst of intense electrical activity in the brain. This is often referred to as epileptic activity. The epileptic activity causes a temporary disruption to the way the brain normally works, so the brain’s messages become mixed up. The brain is responsible for all the functions of your body. What happens to you during a seizure will depend on where in your brain the epileptic activity begins, and how widely and quickly it spreads.

There are many different types of seizure, and each person will experience epilepsy in a way that is unique to them.

COMPULSORY REGISTRATION:

(1)  The duly filled RegistrationForm to be submitted to jenny@adfm.org.my or Fax to 7960 8482.

(2)   If email, please provide complete details of Name/s, Mobile contact, email address, also indicate whether a caregiver or healthcare staff or seniors.  We will not confirm your registration if details are not complete.

Any enquiries, email jenny@adfm.org.my or contact Helpline at 03 7931 5850 / 016 608 2513.

Thank you,

ADFM National Caregivers Support Network

10 May 2015

MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: 10 THINGS TO KNOW

With age often comes an increase in the number and frequency of memory slips - forgetting where you put your keys, blanking on the name of an acquaintance, etc. These experiences, in turn, fuel fears that one has Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, leading to one crucial question: What's the difference between dementia and normal aging?

It's a challenging query to answer because what is considered "normal" aging for one person is not the same as what is normal for another. 

For example, studies have shown that a person's educational background can provide some protection against the onset of cognitive issues later on in life by enhancing their cognitive reserve. Typically, the more years of formal schooling an individual has, the more likely they are to be able to retain their intellectual capacity as they age. However, as is often the case when dealing with dementia, this is not a hard and fast rule. People with multiple graduate degrees can still get Alzheimer's, while those who didn't make it past high school may never encounter cognitive issues.

Occupying the middle ground between normal aging and dementia lies a disorder known as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

Here are 10 things to know about MCI:

·         One-in-five older adults may have MCI: Increasing age is probably the most well-known and widely-accepted risk factor for MCI. Studies have indicated that anywhere from five to 20 percent of people over 65 struggle with MCI.

·         The symptoms: Having trouble recalling the names of recent acquaintances, frequently misplacing important objects and being unable to follow the flow of normal conversation are all red flags that could indicate MCI. But the primary feature that distinguishes MCI from full-blown dementia is how much the person's cognitive issues are affecting their day-to-day lives. The more extreme the impact, the more likely it is that that individual has MCI.

·         MCI changes the brain: While it's not always the case, the brains of people with MCI often undergo certain visible physical changes. MRI scans of cognitively impaired individual's brains have shown a large accumulation of plaques, impaired glucose processing (neurons use glucose as an important source of fuel), larger ventricles and a smaller hippocampus. These changes have also been associated with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

·         Getting an early diagnosis can help: Going to the doctor at the first sign of cognitive issues that affect everyday life is important because getting a formal diagnosis can help a person with MCI or dementia to gain access to memory care clinics and other important resources. Knowing what the future might hold also enables an older adults and their family to make important plans for the future. (Learn more about Planning Ahead for Elder Care).

·         How MCI is diagnosed: Finding the precise cause of cognitive impairment is tricky. Doctors will typically take a full medical and family history first, followed by a neurological exam, cognitive functioning evaluation(s), blood tests and brain scan(s).

·         There's more than one type: There are two distinct sub-types of MCI—amnestic and non-amnestic. The majority of individuals (about two-thirds) with MCI have the amnestic variant, the main symptom of which is memory loss. Non-amnestic MCI involves other cognitive concerns such as impaired judgement, and having problems with organization and planning.

·         There is no treatment: The FDA has yet to approve any treatments for MCI. Drugs used to treat Alzheimer's disease typically are not prescribed to people with MCI as the benefit of such interventions has yet to be proven in clinical trials.

·         MCI may increase Alzheimer's risk: MCI may increase an individual's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia by as much as three to five times, according to recent research.Though it's not yet possible for doctors to determine whether a particular person's MCI will eventually morph into dementia.

·         Not everyone with MCI will develop dementia: Some individuals who have MCI stay stable and never develop dementia.

·         Some types of MCI can be reversed: Not all cases of MCI signal the onset of a degenerative neurological condition. Cardiovascular disease, infections, even certain medications can also cause MCI. In these instances, cognitive symptoms may be reversible with better medication management or certain lifestyle changes - another reason why experts suggest seeing a doctor at the first sign of cognitive trouble.

(Source:  Aging Care.com, 15 April 2015)

A DICE-Y APPROACH TO TAMING DEMENTIA SYMPTOMS

Treatment for managing dementia depends on its type and severity, but drug therapy often plays a role. Drugs can't cure dementia, but psychotropic medications, which include antipsychotics, antidepressants and anticonvulsants, are used with extreme caution in certain cases to help improve behavioural symptoms such as aggression, agitation, lack of inhibition and depression -- symptoms that caregivers tend to feel are more stressful or difficult to handle than the trademark memory loss associated with dementia.

For many people with dementia, the potential risks of psychotropics outweigh their potential benefits. All antipsychotics, including haloperidol (Haldol), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel) and risperidone (Risperdal), significantly increase the risk of death, perhaps because they also increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and falls.

The DICE approach. In exploring ways to improve symptoms without depending on potent psychotropic drugs, experts from the University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins Medicine developed DICE, a strategy designed to minimize problems by changing a patient's behaviour. The acronym DICE stands for describe, investigate, create and evaluate. The DICE approach is a collaboration among a caregiver, a clinician and, if feasible, the individual with dementia. DICE consists of the following four steps:

Describe: The caregiver describes to the clinician specific behavioural problems the patient is exhibiting and the circumstances and environment under which they occur. The person with dementia describes the situation if he or she has the ability to do so. Both the caregiver and patient convey the degree of distress this behaviour causes them.

Investigate: The clinician examines, excludes and identifies possible underlying medical and mental health causes for the patient's actions as well as drugs the patient may be taking that contribute to the behaviour. The clinician reviews the caregiver's handling of the behaviour and advises the caregiver on issues such as appropriate reaction and expectations. Finally, the clinician will examine the environment for possible improvements, such as reducing clutter or noise and improving lighting.

Create: The clinician and the caregiver create a plan to prevent or respond to either a specific action or general behaviour to enhance the environment and improve caregiver skills and well-being.

Evaluate: The clinician evaluates and assesses the patient's and caregiver's compliance with the suggested plan and makes any needed changes if the desired effects aren't achieved.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommend the DICE approach in an effort to reduce the need for psychotropic drugs. The authors caution that doctors should prescribe psychotropics only after they've made other attempts to change behaviour - unless patients have severe depression, psychosis or aggression that poses a risk to themselves or those around them. The study outlining the DICE approach appeared in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

(Source:  Scientific American Health After 50, 30 March 2015)