ANNA (WSIL) -- A nurse at Rural Health is starting a new Alzheimer's awareness project in memory of her grandfather after COVID-19 put a stop to her original plans.
Jennifer Glodo says her grandfather Joseph Cameron Freeman passed away from the Alzheimer's in 2010 after battling the disease for two years.
"He was just a very strong man, knew how to fix anything," she remembers. "Particularly with a motor her could fix it."
However, as the disease progressed things started to become worse.
"To see him go from that to having trouble folding a piece of paper in half in a cognition exam," Glodo says. "It kind of shell shocks you."
Her grandfather's passing inspired Glodo to make a change and do a walk in mid-July around his birthday to raise funds and donate them to the Alzheimer's Association for research. Last year, she helped to raise $2,100.
However this year with social distancing and many being out of work, she knew that she had to do something different.
Glodo started doing informational posts on the Facebook page such as interviews with other experts in the health care industry and tips for family members taking care of someone with Alzheimer's or coping with the loved one's diagnosis.
She also asked co-workers and members of her church to participate in a wear purple day, the color associated with Alzheimer's awareness.
Glodo says she's also lit up her house in purple and white lights, "Just to draw attention from neighbors and it's a conversation starter. That's really what I'm after this year."
The nurse is also making an impact at her work to help those who may be suffering from Alzheimer's.
"In the past we had a mini-mental exam, which is the standard for most practices to use," Glodo explains. "Usually just 3-4 questions, very basic."
Now, she's helped to implement a more in-depth questionnaire on brain health that was already in their medical system but not getting used.
"It goes through all the cranial nerves and their functions," Glodo says. "It tracks their gate, the way that they walk, their memory."
This information is kept to track the patient's symptoms and is passed on if they need to see neurologist. Glodo says the more information that can be passed on to a specialist, the better they can treat the patient.
Both of Glodo's grandmothers are now diagnosed with dementia and she helps to give relatives a break by spending time with them on her weekends.
A program that's fairly new to Union County and provides some relief to caregivers is Senior Solutions.
It provides emotional support for those 65 and older who are caring for their loved ones who may be affected by Alzheimer's or dementia. Or seniors going through a sudden life change such as the loss of a loved one or loss of independence.
Group therapy is available with social distancing at the Union County hospital or tele-therapy is available for those who feel more comfortable staying at home.
Some services may be available for the Alzheimer's patient themselves if they are in the earlier stages of the disease.
Anyone can call to set up an appointment and a referral is not needed.
For those interested call (618) 833-4505 or click for more information.
