Page 81 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2015

MEET THE
PARTICIPANTS
Kathleen Slack
hometown ambassador, HCDC retiree program
Pat Seymour
hometown ambassador, HCDC retiree program
Curtis Keller, M.D.
Merit Health Biloxi
Chad Riemann
president,
Riemann Family Funeral Homes, Inc.
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November 2015 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 81
Alzheimer’s and dementia
Curtis Keller: There’s a misconception that it’s normal to get forgetful as you age. It’s not, especially if you’re taking care
of yourself. Staying active mentally and physically and not doing passive things such as watching TV is the key. It’s use it or lose it — have some routine exercise every day and some for your brain.
Alzheimer’s is a big concern with seniors but stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and general confusion are too. Older people can get pseudo dementia with forgetfulness as a result of other illnesses. With improved modern medicine people are living longer so that gives us more
time for these things to happen.
Vivian Champaigne: Dementia and Alzheimer’s can be accelerated by trauma such as falls, moves or changes. The Alzheimer’s Association does a great job with information.
Curtis Keller: There are a handful of medications that are mostly designed
to hold off the effects of Alzheimer’s. If it’s diagnosed early and patients have good professional help, there’s no reason a person with Alzheimer’s can’t have
a fulfilling life. I notice that good sleep helps and have a handle on changing sleep patterns.
Eric Smith explains that making final plans can help you get on with living.
Final plans
Joshua Bruce: In hospice we say that the sooner someone can grasp the illness and the situation as it is, the sooner they can go on to making more memories.
Eric Smith: I tell people, planning for your death is not giving up. It’s to take care of what needs to be taken care of so you can get on with living.
You’re not alone. Seniors find support in spiritual places and with a connection to a faith family. We need to let them talk and share their living history.
Chad Riemann: Pre-planning is a matter of taking the time to think about — and record — your end-of-life desires. It’s
a thoughtful gesture to those you love, and a way to let go of anxieties about the
future. Once done, you can relax, knowing your plans will be carried out according to your wishes.
Planning ahead is easy. There’s no health questionnaire or physical exam required. Absolutely everyone can make a pre- plan, and there is no waiting for return documents. The plan is completed, and put on file.
It can protect your family from inflation. You can set plan to paper by simply recording your wishes, and leave it for your family to pay for your desired services at the time of your passing.
Or, you can protect you and your family from inflation, by pre-funding your
plan. This ensures your expenses will be covered when you need them to be.