Effects of dementia can be devastating for victims and family

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 13 February 2008 09:18

In the United States, an estimated 4 million people have Alzheimer’s disease—one form of dementia in older adults. In Marion County, there are an estimated 529 cases of Alzheimer’s.

While dementia, a medical condition that disrupts the way the brain works, is a common part of the natural aging process—forgetfulness, short-term memory loss—Alzheimer’s disease is not.

“Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, and the natural aging dementia is not,” said Pam Ratz­laff, a social worker at Hillsboro Community Medical Center.About the condition

Alzheimer’s disease is named after Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor who, in 1906, noticed changes in brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness.

Alzheimer...

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Life with dementia: 'You're always on call' says wife and caregiver

Written by Malinda Just Wednesday, 13 February 2008 09:15

For 16 of the 22 years of their marriage, Betty Kline’s husband Howard “Whitey” Kline has had Alzheimer’s disease.

Whitey, 91, resides in the Alzheimer’s unit at Hillsboro Community Medical Center and is now in the third of three stages of the disease: early, middle and late.

“It’s not the instant killer,” Betty said. “It’s just a horrible disease.”

A second marriage for both, Betty said she has known Whitey since she was 16 and dating her first husband.

“I have known him all these years,” she said. “We never, ever thought of each other as being married.”

Early stage

Despite that, the two found they had much in common and decided to marry. But, just a few years into their new life together, Betty began...

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Time to break silence about Alzheimer's

Written by Marsha Setzkorn-Meyer Wednesday, 13 February 2008 09:09

Dad has Alzheimer’s disease. There I said it. So does his brother, my Uncle Eugene.

Come to think of it, many of dad’s aunts and uncles were a little “funny.” That’s what we used to call it, before we knew “it” had a name. They would forget things. They repeated stories over and over.

At one time or another my mom, brother, sister and I all figured Dad had Alzheimer’s disease, but we didn’t say it. Nor did we take him to a doctor to see if anything could be done. We suffered silently.

But no more. It’s too hard. We’ve been there. There are thousands of families in Kansas who are suffering also. Many families in Marion County are affected by the disease. My experience won’t take away any suffering, but perhaps...

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Healthy Geezer- What to do about bladder-control issues

Written by Fred Cicetti Wednesday, 09 January 2008 18:41

Q This is embarrassing to discuss with anyone so I thought I’d write to you about it. I’m having bladder-control problems. What can I do?

A About 10 percent of men and women over the age of 65 have trouble with bladder control, also know officially as urinary incontinence. Women suffer from this more than men.

During urination, muscles in the bladder contract, forcing urine into the urethra, a tube that carries urine out of the body. At the same time, muscles surrounding the urethra relax and let the urine pass.

If the bladder muscles contract or the muscles surrounding the urethra relax without warning, the result is incontinence.

Short-term incontinence is caused by infections, constipation and some medicines. If the problem...

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Healthy Geezer- Colorectal Cancer

Written by Fred Cicetti Wednesday, 12 December 2007 15:20

Q I’ve noticed that today people talk openly about rectal cancer. This isn’t something you used to discuss in polite company. Why is this?

 

A There is a new attitude that protecting your life is more important than protecting your sensibilities. I think the new openness is helping to reduce cancer deaths.

This reminds me of my friend, Pete, who has a “colonoscopy rule.” He insists that, if a bunch of us geezers are talking about aches, maladies and visits to the doctors, everyone has to change the subject as soon as someone uses the word “colonoscopy.” Usually we switch to grandchildren, which is a lot more fun.

Colorectal cancer—cancer of the colon or rectum—is the second leading cause of death from cancer in...

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