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Angela Lunde
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Angela Lunde
Angela Lunde is a dementia education specialist in the education core of Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the Abigail Van Buren Alzheimer's Disease Research Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Angela Lunde
The transfer of information about dementias, as well as understanding the need for participation in clinical trials, is an essential component of the education core.
Angela is a member of the Alzheimer's Association board of directors and co-chair of the annual Minnesota Dementia Conference. She is a member of the Dementia Behavior Assessment and Response Team (D-BART), a multidisciplinary outreach service assisting professional and family caregivers in understanding and managing difficult behaviors often present in dementia. She facilitates several support groups, including Memory Club, an early-stage education and support series, and more recently, helped to develop and now deliver Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking (HABIT), a 10-day cognitive rehab and wellness program for people with mild cognitive impairment.
Angela takes a personal interest in understanding the complex changes that take place within relationships and among families when dementia is present. She is particularly interested in providing innovative and accessible ways for people with dementia and their families to receive information and participate in valuable programs that promote well-being.
"Amid a devastating disease, there are tools, therapies, programs and ways to cope, and it is vital that families are connected to these resources," she says.
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Alzheimer's blog
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Oct. 13, 2007
Coping: It's all about attitude
By Angela Lunde
Over the past several weeks, I have been reading how many of you are coping as you care for a loved one with a dementia. There were many responses on this from attending support groups, using humor, to simply finding whatever strength you can muster on a given day and moving forward.
In my interactions with caregivers over the years, I have observed the various ways in which coping takes place. For example, I have found that many caregivers begin to incorporate a set of beliefs and expectations about their situation that helps them cope. One way they do this is by learning to separate what they can and cannot control.
For example, once the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (or FTD, Lewy Body or other dementia) is made, caregivers quickly find that modern medicine is limited in its ability to treat or prevent the progression of the disease. While the disease process will not change, coping caregivers know one thing they can control is their attitude and their own expectations about the disease. They understand that dementia includes changes in the person's personality and behaviors.
So, when disruptive behaviors (agitation, paranoia) are present, or their loved one speaks hurtful words, coping caregivers are able to keep an objective attitude about these behaviors; they can separate the disease from the person, and therefore the person from the behaviors.
Lela Knox Shanks cared for her husband for many years, and wrote the book, "Your Name is Hughes Hannibal Shanks." In that book she wrote: "... the attitude we choose ultimately determines how we approach problems and how we solve them. It sets the tone and influences the quality of our interactions with the person. Attitude determines the quality of our care."
To follow up on my last entry regarding Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico, here is a little more information on frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
In general, FTD usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 70. Only about 10 percent to 15 percent of all dementia cases are FTD. FTD is caused by the loss of the neurons on the frontal and temporal part of the brain, but what causes the loss of neurons is usually unknown.
A small number of people with FTD have the presence of Pick bodies, abnormal protein-filled structures that develop within cells. All cases of FTD used to be called Pick's disease, but now that name is reserved for the subtype that features Pick bodies. The hallmark of FTD is a gradual, progressive decline in behavior and/or language. As the disease progresses, these deficits cause significant impairment in social and/or occupational functioning and result in an increasing dependency on caregivers.
21 comments posted
August 10, 2009 10:32 a.m.
It would be most helpful if experts would comment on the amazing loss of weight and what to do. Part of my Mother's situation is her dentures which don't seem to work at all, so the Assisted Living staff is trying to give her puried food without the dentures and she's doing better. It's not easy anymore to take her to doctor's appointments....very difficult to transport her. When is it OK to just let her be in peace without intervention?
- Christine
February 19, 2009 5:48 p.m.
My soon to be 90 year old mother has dementia and is refusing to take her meds. She lives in Assisted Living facility and will not allow housekeeping in her room. I don't feel the facility is helping as much as they could be and have written them this. My mother is very paranoid -- she thinks housekeeping steals from her, I steal from her, she writes me terribly mean letters and tells me how dumb I am and I am breaking my neck to see that she is getting all the treatment that is available to her. The facility she lives in is beautiful and she hates it. She hates everyone and everything. My heart aches for the pain she is obviously in. I don't know which way to turn at the moment and am very frustrated.
- JJ
February 19, 2009 5:45 p.m.
Betty: One of the traits of FM is depression; I have FM and have had it for over 10 years. When pain is really bad, I double my dosage at the doctor's suggestion and it helps with the pain and depression.
- Joyce
March 11, 2008 11:44 p.m.
My 94 yr old mother does not understand that she has dementia, or rather forgets she has, she was diagnosed 3 yrs ago w/ 2 different types, and asks frequently what is wrong w/ her memory. I have quit explaining that she is demented, as it only upsets her terribly. Unfortunately we were never close and she was a very mean person w/ severe mood swings when I was growing up, but I am an only child so the responsibility falls on me, w/ the exception of 3 of her younger siblings who frequently criticize my care of her, and occasionally one will take her for a day or two when I have other obligations. I'm not sure if having a diagnosis of all her ailments has helped her, but it helps me to know why she behaves as she does. It is ironic that she was diagnosed as a mild schizophrenic in her 60's, and now her dementias have made her a sweet little old woman who is totally dependent on me Take time for yourselves care givers, it will make you better at your obligation, less resentful.
- Lola S.
February 22, 2008 3:14 p.m.
Kathy @lakeplace - Find a good neurologist and have a PET/Cat scan of your brain. Start with the neurologist! terri
- terri
February 22, 2008 3:02 p.m.
Naomi, have the doctor require a driving test. If he fails, it is not your fault. Accepting authority is the key. terri
- terri
February 20, 2008 1:47 p.m.
My husband John has FTD. I am trying very hard to learn how to cope. He has changed, we too argue because he says that I am mean, but I am just trying to help him.The next wordds out of his mouth is your the best thing that ever haappened to me. I love you so much.. He too thinks he can drive although the Dr, at Mayo has told us he should not drive. This upsets him when he wants to drive. His job was for the IDOT for 35 years, doing mainainance so he thinks he can. He is very loving and tells me everyday how much he loves me, and he wishes that I felt the sme. Well I most certainly do , but he does not realize this. FTD is very hard to cope with. In some of these reading it says to know what you can do and what you cannot do. How do you do that???? How do I know what is right and what is wrong??? Some days I cannot do anything right, yet the next day everything seems to be better even though we do the same thing. I want to go on but no more wordss allowed. K Diane
- Kay
January 15, 2008 6:27 a.m.
My Mother has been diagosed with dimentia but the rest of the family fails to believe and since I am the primary caregiver - they say I am making it up. Somedays she is fine. The signs are sutle. She seems worse if worried or stressed. She is paranoid and has accused us of stealing, etc. It seems whomever is helping her at the time is the guilty one. Any help appreciated
- Dalena
November 17, 2007 4:24 p.m.
The book "The 36 hour Day" has been an invaluable help. The difficult thing for me now is knowing my husband shouldn't be driving, but he is adamant that he can. Any ideas?
- Naomi
November 9, 2007 3:49 p.m.
I feel like I am in a foreign coumtry without a road map. Where can I get some help?
- fkoehler
November 4, 2007 12:05 p.m.
It helps to know what this is. A friend is a geriatric nurse practitioner and she said she was 100% positive the issues I was describing with my 87 yr. old mother were signs of dementia. It was so good to know. Mom lived in our town for 4 months and she made our lives a living hell. (No win.) I am aged a lot from those 4 months as I am a people pleaser and wanted so much to make my mom happy. Didn't know this was to dream, the impossible dream. Please remember this when you wonder if it might be something YOU are doing wrong. Be as nice as you can, and let the rest hit the wall. I admire anyone caring for a loved one who hangs in there. Mom is back living near my sister who is her power of atty. My sister who is a control freak, commandeered her back to her town, and although I felt unfulfilled in my hopes of making mom's life fuller, I could not mentally keep up this marathon either when she was so hideously cantankerous much of the time. It's sooo hard.
- laurie
November 3, 2007 7:55 p.m.
Our mother has been diagnose with dementia & recently with ALZ. She is in the beginning stages & is taking vitamins in the b family. Everyday she watches on tv a doctor who only believes in the natural healing he has our mother convince that the Aricept she is taking will not help her but do more harm or cause another sickness. She is a bright woman who knows that dementia cannot be cure but insisted on not taking the Aricept who I feel has help somewhat. Please advise me as to what I can do to help her understand that the Aricept does help.
- carmen
October 31, 2007 10:54 a.m.
I'm a 56 yr old female and the last 4 yrs I have been going down hill I thought at first it was just hitting 50 yrs old but I have found myself losing my rings, left my mink coat somewhere, couldn't find my car in the parking lot, I had to let my employer of 14 yrs lay me off so I so get my ins and unemp because a new comp sys was just to much for me to learn, I have a problem with words, I can think of the word but can't remember how to spell it or I know I know the word I want to say and can't get it out or write it and have to try another word I will write a letter to my kids and it looks or sounds like my grandkids wrote it "just this took a long time" I don't know if it is DEM or that FTD or ALZ I have another drs appt wens been on the antidepress mds and sleeping mds I just need help to find out what it is that is going on with me. KATHY
- LAKEPLACE1840@AOL.COM
October 18, 2007 8:26 p.m.
I'm a 62yr.female and wish I knew if it is Alzeimers that I have. I have had fibromyalgia(diagnosed 17yrs. ago with 11 trigger points. My Dr. constantly puts off my bad memory as such. I finally convinced him to refer me to a physciatrist who perscribed an antideppresant medication for sleeping and hyperactivity (sorry I can't remember the name)This helps mymy symptoms but I cannot remember. I gave up reading because Ican't remember what I read.Names of people and object are a big problem also. I always was very sociable but am becoming withdrawn because I often have to make things up. Please reply E.F.C.
- betty
October 18, 2007 3:54 p.m.
The Book, "Thirty-six Hour Day" is a valuable resource. I referred to it often while my mother was alive. She had an age-related dementia and fortunately for my sisters and me she was sweet and cooperative unless she got over-tired.She also needed help with being mobile so who knows what things may have been like had she been able to get around by herself! She needed 24/7 care and we did the best we could and wouldn't trade our involvement for anything. My heart goes out to all of you who do not have it so easy. Please do remember, "It's the disease, not the person" and take care of yourself. That is prime.
- KJ
October 18, 2007 1:21 p.m.
Shirley, Except for being married 53 yrs.instead of 58, your letter could have been written by me.I wish I knew the answer to your question.We need to just take one day at a time.Some days i think I'm going crazy.Reading about the subject seems to help somewhat.My husband has never really been diagnosed--the tests show nothing and he WILL NOT take any medicine so what's the difference anyway.He does know he has a problem.The books help me cope, maybe they would help you too.Take care,Ann
- Ann
October 18, 2007 1:15 p.m.
My Mom is in the mid stages of Alzheimers. She is eating constantly. Her caregiver provides nutricious food and healthy snacks. Then Mom eats anything she can find, even trying to eat frozen uncooked meat patties. Can you offer any advice or suggestions?
- Fran
October 17, 2007 1:14 p.m.
I have been married to my husband for 58 years. He now has dementia. I can't come to terms with it. He thinks he knows what he is talking about, but he always is wrong. We contantly argue and I am very depressed. I know he should be kept busy,but he doesn't want to move. I have finally gotten him to stop sleeping all day, but we still argue a great deal. What can I do to help us get along better.
- Shirley
October 16, 2007 7:40 p.m.
Frank, my father-in-law has dementia and has the same attitude. In his words "I'm just waiting to die" It's really hard. The best you can do is try to keep them motivated and keep their mind stimulated. From my experience, my husband and I have found wonderful support from his doctor's and mentor at a local adult care center. Possibly try to tap those resources. One resource that I found particularly helpful was the book "The 36-Hour Day" published by John Hopkins University. It has the clinical "stuff" but also the human aspect in it. I found this to be a very valuable piece of information on this journey. I wish you the very best of luck.
- T
October 16, 2007 3:00 p.m.
OUR MOTHER HAS DEMENTIA AND ITS HARD FOR ME TO ACCEPT. SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE'S SEVENTY BUT IS EIGHT-NINE. SHE KNOW'S THE FIVE CHILDREN BUT BEYOND THAT SHE JUST SITS AND WANTS TO DIE. WHAT CAN I DO FOR HER?
- FRANK CAMARDO
October 15, 2007 7:27 p.m.
I have been involved with a caregiving group where the saying 'its the disease, not the person' is an important reminder frequently given That has been helpful to many in the group. When you have lived with someone for so long its easy to forget they are not who they were and that the dementia influences all of their behavior.
- Glenn
21 comments posted