National Women’s History Month celebrates the roles of women in history. Take a closer look at four women in history who were instrumental in improving Alzheimer’s home care.
Mary Austrom
Dr. Mary Austrom was an associate dean at Indiana University School of Medicine. While her role as dean focused heavily on diversity, her experience as a clinical psychology professor and Wesley P. Martin Professor of Alzheimer’s Education is why she’s on this list.
She focused on getting underserved communities into Alzheimer’s research projects. She was also a strong proponent of supporting family caregivers and others helping care for people with Alzheimer’s. Dr. Austrom spent three decades devoted to Alzheimer’s research and supportive care for those with the smallest circle of support or access to resources.
Helen Bader Daniels
Helen Daniels grew up helping her dad in his soda fountain and drug store during the Depression. After marrying and raising her children, she returned to her education and became a social worker. There, she advocated for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
She got to know the adults with Alzheimer’s and found ways to reach them through creative programs like music therapy. Her family established Bader Philanthropies and continues to fund a variety of projects, including those focused on training Alzheimer’s caregivers, promoting independence in those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and providing technology that supports program development.
Auguste Deter
You may not recognize this German woman’s name, but she is instrumental in the world of Alzheimer’s. As a 14-year-old, she became a seamstress and would go on to marry and raise a family of her own for many years, but when she was 51, her behavior changed drastically.
Auguste experienced moments of delusional behavior and irrational thoughts. She started losing her ability to do tasks she’d spent many decades doing without any struggle. She forgot how to cook, she struggled with housework, and she started to wander and get lost.
After examinations, doctors decided she needed to go into psychiatric care at a mental hospital. It was there that she became Dr. Alois Alzheimer’s patient. She survived for another four years with the slow loss of cognitive skills, after her death, Dr. Alzheimer’s requested to be able to perform an autopsy of her brain.
That autopsy led him to find the neurofibrillary tangles and plaque deposits that are classic in cases of Alzheimer’s. He determined her brain looked like the brain of a 70-year-old, which was unusual given her young age. This led to the discovery of Alzheimer’s and the very first research used to help find ways to slow the progression.
Teepa Snow
Teepa Snow started with a degree in zoology and returned to school to get her MS. She took a position with Duke University Medical Center’s Neuro-Rehabilitation department and started on her path to expertise in geriatrics and brain injuries.
Through these experiences, she created a platform for Alzheimer’s caregivers that teach them how to provide a person-centered approach to dementia care. The Positive Approach to Care® is one of the most commonly used approaches in Alzheimer’s communities.
Alzheimer’s home care is essential as your mom reaches the middle and late stages of Alzheimer’s. Even if you want to be her sole caretaker, it’s impossible. The emotional, mental, and physical toll is too much, and you must take breaks.
Alzheimer’s care aides are trained to help your mom with toileting care, baths, ambulation, and redirection. Talk to a specialist in home care to find out how you can arrange Alzheimer’s care services for your mom.
Home Care Matters Provides Award-Winning, Trusted Home Care in Bibb, Butts, Crawford, Henry, Houston, Jones, Lamar, Monroe, Spalding, and Upson Counties. Call today: (478)-994-9535.
We serve the towns of Forsyth, Macon, McDonough, Griffin, Jonesboro, Roberta, Barnesville, Gray, Thomaston, and Jackson.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
- The Stages Of Alzheimer’s Family Caregivers Should Know - September 7, 2023
- Help For Seniors Who Have Anxiety At Night - August 25, 2023
- Going Green: Helping Seniors Reap the Benefits - August 9, 2023