Blog: Tell Me about Dementia

Caregiver Advocate Linda Burhans talks about what dementia is and offers help for caregivers.

New Help for Those Living With Dementia in Largo

Seasons Memory Care broke ground on a new assisted living community last week in Largo.

Seasons Memory Care broke ground on its newest assisted living community last week in Largo. The 80-unit, $13 million facility at 4175 East Bay Dr. will open in the fall of 2013 and is expected to bring more than 65 jobs to the local economy. Seasons assists those diagnosed with dementia and is a place of “interactive moments” for its residents. The four unique neighborhoods that make up Seasons Memory Community will include a ladies-only neighborhood devoted to their personal needs and preferences, planners say. “Each neighborhood is designed to best meet the needs of the residents according to the stage of memory loss they are living with,” said Jim Soper, CEO of Autumn Senior Living, which manages Seasons, in a media release.  Seasons …

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Senior Sandwich: A Toolbox for Caregivers and Seniors

Support Is Paramount For Those Caring For A Loved One With Dementia

In Florida, there are more than 450,000 people battling some form of dementia and that number is expected to grow by another 140,000 in the next 12 years. It is one of the world’s fastest growing diseases.

First signs One of the first signs of dementia is mental changes. Forgetfulness is the best examples of this. It can start with not being able to remember the right word to describe something or forgetting a name or how to use a household appliance. As it progresses, the person will have increased difficulty making choices or decisions. If a person exhibits personality changes, it may be a sign of dementia. This can include someone who has become overly friendly and flirtatious or can be at the other end of the spectrum and appear apathetic and introverted. Someone with dementia may also have mood swings or anger easily.    Behavioral and personality changes tend to go hand-in-hand. A person with dementia may be restless, is easily …

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Dementia's Toll on Caregivers

Being a caregiver for a loved one with dementia can be draining both emotionally and physically. But there is professional help.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are nearly 15 million Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers in the U.S., many of whom suffer emotionally and  physically. Because of the toll of caregiving, Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers had $7.9 billion in additional health care costs in 2010. More than 60 percent of family caregivers report high levels of stress, because of the prolonged duration of caregiving, and 33 percent reported symptoms of depression. For the past 15 years, Karen Karle-Truman has been on a crusade. Her mission: Help provide caregivers of persons with dementia the support they need to reclaim their lives.  Karen says this support includes, "when to ask for help from family, friends, clergy and the community to …

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Missing Woman Found Dead

After being reported missing Monday morning, 86-year-old Lydia Jermann was found in a creek near the nursing home where she lived.

A missing elderly woman with slight dementia who was reported missing Monday morning was found dead later in the day near the nursing home where she lives.  The staff at the Highland Terrace Assisted Living Facility reported Lydia Jermann, 86, missing at 1:56 p.m., according to Clearwater Police. After an extensive search including patrol officers, detectives, police volunteers, Americorps members and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Eagle helicoptor, Jermann was found dead at 4:34 p.m. in a creek west of the nursing home near 1550 Lotus Path, police said.  Jermann was last seen at 3:30 a.m. in bed at the nursing home at 1520 Jeffords St, according to police. The home is not a lockdown facility, according to police. Police were …

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Missing Person Alert: East Bay Drive

The Largo Police Department appreciates your help locating a missing, elderly man with dementia.

The Largo Police Department asks anyone with information about the location of a 77-year-old man with dementia to contact the police. Charlie Burns, 77, was last seen riding his rusty tricycle in the area of 2200 East Bay Drive around 11:30 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 2) night. He suffers from Alzheimer's, according to police. Burns weighs around 155 pounds. He is 5' 10" tall and has gray and white hair. He was wearing khaki colored pants and a green polo shirt with yellow and white on it. He usually wears a dog tag type necklace with his personal information on it, according to police. Anyone with any information on the location of Mr. Burns, please contact Largo Police at 727.587.6730.

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Senior Sandwich: A Toolbox for Caregivers and Seniors

Alzheimer’s support: Why joining a group is so important

Alzheimer's is a tragic disease that strips a person of his or her memory, abilities, personality and self, leaving them unrecognizable to family, friends, and even themselves. There is help for caregivers, family and friends in support groups.

One in every eight older Americans has Alzheimer’s disease. The condition affects 5.4 million people, according to the latest research by the Alzheimer’s Association. It is a tragic disease that strips a person of his or her memory, abilities, personality and self, leaving them unrecognizable to family, friends, and even themselves. Alzheimer’s isn’t just difficult for the person who has the disease. Caregiving for a person with a form of dementia can be very taxing, but it can become easier with some physical and emotional nourishment. Support groups have the ability to ease the burden of Alzheimer’s by offering guidance, hope, and shoulders to lean on. I have talked with several members of our Alzheimer’s support group and they all have …

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Missing Man With Dementia Found in Traffic Stop

A silver alert had been issued for Bill Dever, 82, who was pulled over for speeding.

A missing 82-year-old Largo man with dementia was found when deputies pulled him over for speeding. Largo police had issued a silver alert for Bill Dever, who went missing about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. He was stopped by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for speeding at 1:13a.m., said Lt. Mike Loux of Largo Police. He was on the Belleair Causeway and Gulf Boulevard, said Sgt. Tom Nestor, spokesperson for the sheriff's office. Deputies reunited Dever with his family, Loux said. According to officials, Dever dropped his wife off at their residence and drove away in his white 2011 Lincoln MKZ. He was last seen in the area of 11th Street and Eighth Avenue Southwest in Largo. Officials spoke with family members about the dangers of a person with …

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Update: Silver Alert Issued for 74-Year-Old with Dementia

Wendell Yeatts of Largo has been missing since Tuesday evening.

Update 9/7/11 Largo police have found Wendell Yeatts, the missing 74-year-old Largo man with dementia. He was located in St. Petersburg. He was in no danger, authorities said. Previous Report Largo Police have issued a silver alert for a 74-year-old Largo man with dementia. He has been missing since Tuesday. Authorities say Wendell Yeatts was last seen about 7 p.m. Tuesday. His 1997 Toyota Corolla, with Florida tag W633LM, is also missing.   Yeatts is 5-foot-9 with brown hair and a mustache. Police say he has ties to Cincinnati, OH, and Tuscon, AZ. Any person with information on the whereabouts of Yeatts or his vehicle is asked to contact the Largo Police Department at 727-587-6730.  

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