- With Mayo Clinic health education outreach coordinator
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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Sept. 9, 2009
Blog: Taking action gives hope for those with memory loss
By Angela Lunde
For two weeks last month, I spent several hours a day with 13 persons living with mild cognitive impairment or early stage dementia and their care partners, in a program called HABIT (Healthy Actions to Benefit Independence and Thinking).
The 10-day program involves daily cognitive compensation training, brain fitness activities, support groups, wellness education, and a fitness/movement program. HABIT builds on the strength that persons with mild memory problems often retain the ability to learn new habits.
These specific "habits" — if practiced consistently — may help compensate for memory loss, possibly extending independence and improving self efficacy. I'll write more about HABIT in an upcoming blog. For general information, visit the resources tab on this page.
The 26 individuals who participated in HABIT last month shared some common reasons for doing so. First, they believed that an early diagnosis doesn't help much if you don't understand what it means or what to do. They came with many questions and uncertainties about their diagnosis. Second, they were committed to doing something to make the situation better. Taking action gave them hope.
It's difficult to describe what transpired in the two weeks and almost fifty hours we spent together, but clearly relationships grew and genuine bonds were made. Many faced for the first time the challenging step of accepting their diagnosis or that of their loved one. Care partners began the process of adapting to a new "normal" and although not easy, found immeasurable comfort in one another.
Some began to look at what may lie ahead with both a sense of empowerment and an appreciation for living fully in the present. Persons with memory loss gained a renewed sense that they're individuals with rich experiences, accomplishments, and spirit, and that a diagnosis of memory loss doesn't take that away.
I'm sure my words can't fully capture the experience for these individuals or the profound wisdom they offered me or one another. Nevertheless, I'll conclude with some of their words that will stay in my heart for a very long time.
"I am now open to our new life and prepared emotionally to move forward." — Spouse of someone with mild cognitive impairment
"The disease has given me the gift of loving my husband all over again." — Spouse of someone with mild cognitive impairment
"I find Alzheimer's so freeing, you don't have to remember yesterday or tomorrow, you just live today." — Person with early stage dementia
For more information on HABIT, please email customerservice@mayoclinic.com.
12 comments posted
October 11, 2009 10:18 p.m.
My ex-stepmother had a stroke a few months ago and was placed in a nursing home by my brother. The doctors felt that she would not be able to take care of herself properly after being released from the rehab center. She was able to walk at this point, but had difficulty remembering how to do things. She, of course, did not want to go to a nursing home, but attempts at having her stay with a daughter or have her sister stay with her failed. The nursing home staff says she is verbally abusive, kicks, etc. There have been 2 ocassions when my brother went to see her that she was completely zoned out...slack jaw, drooling, non-responsive. The last time, about 3 weeks, my brother questioned her mental and physical condition to the nursing home staff and has been making random visits. Since the last episode, she has been fairly alert, able to read and answer questions posed by my brother, has known my brother, her other children and grandchildren. It has been said that she suffers from Lewy Bodies Dementia. Does this type of dementia cause the zoned out physical state that my brother found her in?
- Gail
September 28, 2009 11:24 a.m.
My aunt has been in a full care facility suffering from mild to mid-level dementia and type 1 diabetes. my mom and I constantly get call from the nurses at the facility warning us that my aunt has been sneaking into nursing station and other patients rooms cookies and other junk food she is not supposed to have. Thus her blood sugar level has been off the charts many times and were concerned about her going into diabetic shock. We take her the proper foods when she asks us but she consumes them immediately and then goes looking for more. She doesn't gain weight yet she has a strong appetite. She is on insulin. Does anyone have any advise on what messures can be taken to keep her eating a scheduled diet? Even when we tell her to do this or that with the dementia she either doesn't remember or ignores our intructions.
- Dean
September 25, 2009 12:13 p.m.
When I told a friend my husband had Alzheimers, she responded by saying You know that Alzheimers patients can't learn anything new. Is this true?
- Jean
September 24, 2009 11:13 a.m.
For more information on HABIT, please email customerservice@mayoclinic.com
- MayoClinic.com staff
September 23, 2009 1:18 p.m.
Where can we learn more about this HABIT program? Where is it being conducted? And how can we register? Sounds just what I need. I am the patient. Nadine
- Nadine
September 23, 2009 10:33 a.m.
My husband was diagnosed with vascular cognitive impairment last year by Dr. David Knopman. How can we become a part of this program, HABIT? It looks very good and of course, I want to do everything within my power to promote healthy living. Thank you.
- Susan
September 22, 2009 4:24 p.m.
I have not been diagnosed with alzheimers, I have short term memory loss which started in 2006 when I had a very mild stroke. I know I have some vascular problems and have just completed being tested for the second time in two years and am waiting for the results. My problem is although I used to have a decent job, I know am working at a local store. I would like to get back into an office environment but am afraid to take on too much for fear of not being able to juggle so much at once. I just read the 10 beginning signs of alzheimers and I have all of them. How long will I be at this stage?
- Gayle
September 18, 2009 11:52 a.m.
DdX5ep Give some examples, I fall asleep just by sitting down to read an artical also I have a very hard time remembering names. (This isn't exactly new. I have always had this problem). It seems to getting worse.
- Sallie
September 16, 2009 3:31 p.m.
Having Alzeimers leaves me free to try and/or think new ideas. If I just don't "get" something I can just shrug my shoulders and try again. If it was't me having this problem, I would say it was an interesting journey. There are new problems to overcome so I need to find another "way" of doing things. The most I miss is meeting someone else and talking about things that my friends and family might not understand.
- Nadine
September 15, 2009 9:09 p.m.
at 53, my daughter diagnosed at big university with cognitive impairment. helped with speech therapist to make iving easier. advised to go to nearby bigger university where more tests, 7Tmri, autonome mri, etc and etc. told there new approach, not to teach to redo, but to use action. told not to worry about AD for other siblings as not gene inflicted. Mayo blog states early cognitive imp usually misdiagnosis....HELp eddie
- eddie
September 10, 2009 1:21 p.m.
I was diagnosed two months ago and have finally come to face and decided to do poa and a will etc.. I can't get my spouse or child to accept this and live life to the fullest and plan ahead, I can't even get understanding or help from them.
- Carrie
September 10, 2009 11:36 a.m.
Thank you for letting us know about HABIT.. sounds like a much needed resource for families with loved ones diagnosed with some form of dementia. I know it would have helped us when Dad was still alive. We never knew just how to approach helping him. You can read our story about 3 daughters caring for their Dad living with Alzheimer's. http://caregiver.carebuzz.com Thank you, Carol
- Carol
12 comments posted