(from: http://www.kpbs.org/news/local;id=10909)
•Every 72 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s Diseas
•The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias amount to more than $148 billion annually
•A person with Alzheimer's disease will live an average of eight years and as many as 20 years or more from the onset of symptoms.
•More than 7 of 10 people with Alzheimer's disease live at home. Almost 75% of the home care is provided by family and friends. The remainder is "paid" care costing an average of $12,500 per year. Families pay almost all of that out-of-pocket.
•Half of all nursing home residents suffer from Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.
•The average cost for nursing home care is $42,000 per year but can exceed $70,000 per year in some areas of the country.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The PBS and YouTube Interviews
These are the links to the interviews and the PBS program that features both my Pop, Jesus and myself. Check them out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTeXqE6slXY
http://www.kpbs.org/news/local;id=10909 - Later...
http://www.kpbs.org/news/local;id=10909 - Later...
I'm Back!
Wow, I cannot believe that I have not posted anything since March, but I have been so busy with Pop and recording spots (commercials) that I have not paid much attention to my blog.
Nevertheless, I have much to report and I shall begin by saying that I will update a bit later in the day. Call me a procrastinator, but do call me.
Nevertheless, I have much to report and I shall begin by saying that I will update a bit later in the day. Call me a procrastinator, but do call me.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
What's Next?
I was raised a Roman Catholic and I am a member of the Knights of Columbus. Every year during Lent, we celebrate the season through three different practices: 1. Prayer 2. Fasting 3. Generosity. This year my father and I have decided to attend Mass every single day during the 40 days of Lent.
It really is not as difficult as it may sound. The weekday Masses are only 30 minutes and Sunday Mass is one-hour long. More important, for my Dad, it is giving him a routine and he has an opportunity to meet with people closer to his age. We attend the 8AM morning celebration which allows us the rest of the day for other activities.
Yesterday, we went to Jimmy's for breakfast (after church). Just as we were arriving to the restaurant my Pop informed me that he had to go to the restroom (he urinates quite frequently). So he went ahead to the restroom, while I got a table. Ten minutes later, he had still not returned. I smelled trouble. I went to look for him. I passed a line of women waiting to enter the Women's restroom, and discovered my Pop was NOT in the Men's room. No, in fact, he had inadvertantly entered the Women's room.
Hence, the ladies waiting in line. I asked my Dad why he went in the wrong restroom, he said it was an honest mistake and that it was "no big deal" (in his reality nothing is a "big deal"). I apologized to the ladies, who all took it in stride and I made a mental note to never let him go to the restroom alone again.
It really is not as difficult as it may sound. The weekday Masses are only 30 minutes and Sunday Mass is one-hour long. More important, for my Dad, it is giving him a routine and he has an opportunity to meet with people closer to his age. We attend the 8AM morning celebration which allows us the rest of the day for other activities.
Yesterday, we went to Jimmy's for breakfast (after church). Just as we were arriving to the restaurant my Pop informed me that he had to go to the restroom (he urinates quite frequently). So he went ahead to the restroom, while I got a table. Ten minutes later, he had still not returned. I smelled trouble. I went to look for him. I passed a line of women waiting to enter the Women's restroom, and discovered my Pop was NOT in the Men's room. No, in fact, he had inadvertantly entered the Women's room.
Hence, the ladies waiting in line. I asked my Dad why he went in the wrong restroom, he said it was an honest mistake and that it was "no big deal" (in his reality nothing is a "big deal"). I apologized to the ladies, who all took it in stride and I made a mental note to never let him go to the restroom alone again.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Trouble with Jesus Updates
It has been more than a month since I have posted anything; it has been a very busy time. We celebrated my father's 8oth birthday on Feb. 2nd with a live band playing 60's pop and rock. We had over 100 guests throughout the day! I even rented a dance floor and everyone was up dancing at one time or another. Even my dad was dancing, at one point he was dancing with three lady friends at the same time.
On another note the local PBS TV station (KPBS) came out in late January to film a segment on both my pop and me. It was for a one hour special on Alzheimer's which will air on February 21st on KPBS at 8PM (PST). It will also be available on the web. The show is called Envision San Diego.
The reporter and cameraman actually spent over six hours following us around. My dad really comes off quite gracious and humorful during his interviews.
I will post instructions on how to view it via the Internet once I figure it out. I also promise to post more frequently now that things have settled down. Groovy.
On another note the local PBS TV station (KPBS) came out in late January to film a segment on both my pop and me. It was for a one hour special on Alzheimer's which will air on February 21st on KPBS at 8PM (PST). It will also be available on the web. The show is called Envision San Diego.
The reporter and cameraman actually spent over six hours following us around. My dad really comes off quite gracious and humorful during his interviews.
I will post instructions on how to view it via the Internet once I figure it out. I also promise to post more frequently now that things have settled down. Groovy.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
2008 Has to be Better
It has been well over a month since I have posted anything on this blog. My only explanation is that it was the first holiday season without my mother. The holidays were busy enough, but Christmas Eve would have been my mother's 75th birthday as well. Needless to say, my pop and I were a bit sentimental to say the least. As if that were not bad enough, we went to visit my mom at the cementary on her birthday early on the 24th. That is when my cousin Gabriel informed me that our other cousin Abram, had lost his seven-year-old daughter to a kidney infection. Destiny (her name) had passed-away two nights before Christmas. Obviously, 2007 was a terrible year for our family.
My father somehow comprehended that things were not right. Somehow we managed to survive the holidays. I only hope that 2008 will be better for all of us.
There were some good moments, I got to see all three of my daughters and my grandson Julian. Nevertheless, it is amazing to me how much my mother's presence is stll felt among both my father and me. We miss her very much.
My father somehow comprehended that things were not right. Somehow we managed to survive the holidays. I only hope that 2008 will be better for all of us.
There were some good moments, I got to see all three of my daughters and my grandson Julian. Nevertheless, it is amazing to me how much my mother's presence is stll felt among both my father and me. We miss her very much.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Merry Christmas Soldiers
When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get. A Great Idea!!!
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:
A Recovering American Soldier
C/O Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
If you approve of the idea, please pass it on to your e-mail list, thanks and Merry Christmas!
When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:
A Recovering American Soldier
C/O Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
If you approve of the idea, please pass it on to your e-mail list, thanks and Merry Christmas!
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