Happy Halloween

The triplets paid our Hillcrest Center a visit for Halloween. We do a lot of multigenerational activities, and the participants love when babies come for a visit.

Clothing That Keeps Alzheimer's Patients from Wandering

I remember years ago hearing about research being done at M.I.T. to embed technology into our clothing. It sounded far-fetched at the time but toda, we're seeing such an application with the announcement of $300 shoes containing GPS technology to track Alzheimer's patients who may wander.

Though the price point may be an issue for some cash-strapped families, this is a great example of "functional clothing" that does double duty as both garment and device. And wandering is an issue with many families who have a loved one at home requiring constant monitoring.

Article: GPS Shoes for Alzheimer's Patients

2011 Memory Walk in San Diego

These are several of many photos taken by staff member Claudia Gonzalez during Saturday's Memory Walk through Balboa Park. Once again the crowds did not disappoint, and this year the Alzheimer's Association added flowers for caregivers and surviving family members to hold during the walk. It made for an even more spectacular event.

We have plenty of other photos that you can view on our Glenner Centers' Facebook Page. Check it out, and if you aren't already a Fan, be sure to 'Like' our page. Thanks!

Our Dawn DeStefani Answers Your Alzheimer's Questions

Tomorrow at 10 a.m., Dawn DeStefani, our director of programs and services here at The George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Centers, will be the guest on Alzheimer's Speaks, a Web-based talk radio program hosted by Lori La Bey.

You can access the online interview live here.

There's also a call-in number to ask Dawn questions about ways to improve the quality of life for everyone in the family when dealing with a loved one with memory loss. We look forward to listening in and even hearing from you tomorrow morning.

It Takes a Village

The George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Centers provide a valuable service to families in San Diego County: a safe, structured and social environment for those with memory impairment. Among our beneficiaries are the primary caregivers who can work, rest, volunteer or run errands knowing their loved one is in a great place.

Caregiving is a 24-hour job, and the advent of Web 3.0 has moved the World Wide Web from merely informational to interactive. As a result, caregivers with access to the Internet, whether using a PC or smartphone, now more resources than ever at their fingertips. They also have more access to each other.

One online Web site we wanted to bring to everyone's attention is Caregiver Village, which uses avatars and games to provide useful information and connections to those dealing with the stress of caring for someone with special needs. Alzheimer's and dementia is one such subset of the Caregiver Village. There's even a book club for those who not only want to read but share what they've learned. There's good data, displayed in a unique manner, that makes Caregiver Village worth a look.

Emma's Gut Bucket Band

Thought we'd share our latest video on our YouTube Channel, featuring a popular bluegrass band in San Diego that performs every few months at our Hillcrest Center. As you will see, they get our participants up on their feet. A great way to exercise and socialize.

Inheriting Alzheimer's Disease

The top story in today's online version of The New York Times involves a Columbian family with strong genetic links to Alzheimer's Disease, which tends to grab hold of their brains by their 40s and leave them seriously impaired by their 50s. From tests being conducted on members, scientists hope to find new treatments to counter the terminal disease well before symptoms start to show. It's a fascinating tale worth reading. Some family members have made serious choices for fear of "spreading" the disease. One father voluntarily was sterilized once he realized he could pass on the fatal illness.

Consider this passage from another family member being treated at an Arizona facility:

“Psychologically it’s very tough,” said their daughter Natalia Agudelo, 24, who also traveled to Phoenix.

“After they lose memory, what remains are their instincts like animals,” she said, adding that her father can still chew and make other instinctive movements. “Until his last moment, we’ll be there seeing what more we can do to help, what more we can do to love.”


Natalia and her younger brother and sister may have inherited the mutation from their father or, if their mother is a carrier, from her as well. As a result, Natalia has decided not to have children.


“I love babies, and I’d be so happy with children, but having a child isn’t just ‘Oh, how cute,’ ” she said. “You have to be realistic and be clear that the disease is very tough. They say in Medellin, ‘Don’t go spreading the Alzheimer’s around.’ ”

Article: Hoping to Crack Alzheimer's, Together As a Family

Photo of Natalia courtesy of NYTimes.com