Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 26

D4 LIFE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013 DECATUR, ILLINOIS www.herald-review.com Holidays can be joyful for families affected by dementia rVM iss. By PAMELA KNUDSOH McClatchy-Tribune News Service Writer GRAND FORKS, N.D. A time of festivities and celebration, the holidays pose special challenges for people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia and those who are caring for them. When planning family events, "focus on what is safe, manageable and meaningful to that person," said Ashley Magner, regional care consultant with the Minnesota and North Dakota chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. "If you've always had Christmas at Grandma's place, how to do change tradition?" she said.

"You can make plans but change them if needed" in response to the needs of a person with Alzheimer's. Adjust expectations, and avoid taking on too much, she said. "It can wear on you and the person you care for." Don't plan to include the person in a full day of activi ties, she cautioned. "Everything in moderation." She mentioned a caregiver who noticed the spouse would get antsy after 30 or 40 minutes, "looking around like she should be doing something," because she was used to a strict schedule in her residential care facility. "If the person you're caring for doesn't do well in large groups or is leery of crowds, stay away from them," she said.

Magner recommended these tips for caregivers and others as the holidays approach: If you're planning to visit a person with Alzheimer's or dementia, limit the group to two or three people at a time; a larger group, in one visit, can be overwhelming and confusing. Inform others who don't see the person regularly about predictable disabilities. At holiday events, stick to the person's mealtime and SECOND CHANCE Getty Images When planning family events, 'focus on what is safe, manageable and meaningful to that said Ashley Magner, regional care consultant with the Minnesota and North Dakota chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. to take care of themselves, offering these suggestions: Ask for help. Shop for gifts online or through catalogs to limit your stress.

Give yourself permission to say "no" to requests or invitations. Consider counseling or joining a support group. For people coping with Alzheimer's or dementia in their families, "things are different," Magner said. "The holiday isn't the same as it was, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily bad." OBITUARIES i ftfik OH. KEITH ROACH Some causes found for restless legs Dear Dr.

Roach: Why do people snicker when I tell them I have RLS? They wouldn't laugh if they knew the amount of sleep deprivation I have endured during the 20 years it took to correctly diagnose it. I think if it hadn't been for Sinemet (lev-odopa and carbidopa), a Parkinson's drug, I would have gone mad long ago. Has anyone discovered what causes it? G.S.G. Restless leg syndrome causes an urge to move the legs (and sometimes arms), which is worse at nighttime and is relieved by movement. It is usually accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the legs.

When accompanied by sleep deprivation, as yours has been, it is also called periodic limb movement disorder. The cause is known only in a minority of cases. About 40 percent of cases seem to run in families, and several genetic factors have been identified. Iron deficiency sometimes is associated with RLS, and replacement of the iron can improve symptoms. Moderate exercise, leg massage and heat (say, a warm bath before bed) are some nondrug ways of improving symptoms.

Levodopacar-bidopa is an effective treatment; pramipexole (Mirapex) and ropinirole (Requip) also are effective for many people. There are other alternatives as well. An expert in the condition, usually a neurologist, is essential for severe cases. I think the name "restless leg syndrome" may be part of why people don't take this condition as seriously as it deserves. After all, legs are supposed to move, and being "restless" doesn't sound so bad but as you know, it's a lot more than that.

For this reason, the new name, Willis-Ekbom disease, is preferred by some. Great information about this condition is available at RLS.org. Readers can obtain a booklet on restless leg syndrome by writing: Dr. Roach No. 306, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

Enclose a check or money order for $4.75 with the recipient's printed name and address. Pseudogout and meds Dear Dr. Roach: I have been reading your articles regarding gout and blood pressure medications. I suffer from pseudogout and take Dio-vanHCTZ. Would changing this medication have any effect on my condition? E.S.

Pseudogout looks a lot like gout, and both diseases are caused by deposition of crystals inside joints. In gout the crystal is uric acid, whereas in pseudogout, the crystal is calcium pyrophos-. phate. Pseudogout tends to affect larger joints, such as the knees, whereas the big toe is the classic place for gout. Hydrochlorothiazide, a common diuretic, can make gout worse, but it should have no effect on pseudogout.

Or. Keith Roach writes for North America Syndicate. Send letters to Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or email TbYourGoodHealthmed. comell.edu. After Karen Soltero started Crowbar Cardio with a childhood friend, bacteria that almost took her life.

She has a 22-inch scar on her left sleeping routine as much as possible, no matter where you're at. Appoint a "holiday partner" to look after the person's needs. Designate a quiet place where the person can retreat to if things get hectic. If the person can no longer leave the care facility, consider celebrating there and bringing Christmas decorations in, as space allows. Watch for signs of physical or emotional stress.

"There's a lot of grief at this time of year" for those dealing with Alzheimer's disease, she said. People in the early stages of the disease, who realize they have it, may become more agitated or irritable or experience changes in eating and sleeping habits. "If crying is excessive, or if anxiety makes the person more paranoid or suspicious, it may be worth bringing that up with the doctor," Magner said. Magner advises caregivers McClatchy-Tribune News Service she contracted a flesh-eating leg. new outlook on life Two days after her first surgery, Soltero went into the operating room a second time.

She had a third surgery, a fourth, a fifth a total of 10 during her three-week hospital stay. Ten days after she finally went home, she needed No. 11. "Every time they went in, they'd take out the sponges and stitch an inch or two at the top and bottom," Soltero says. "I had to heal from the inside out." Teaching classes, eating right, even owning a fitness studio, didn't protect her from getting sick.

But Soltero thinks her fitness helped her heal. Being fit has always been part of Soltero's life. A former competitive swimmer, she did her first triathlon in 2006, ran her first half-marathon in 2011. She was training for another half when she fell ill. Her hardest struggle, she said, is accepting that her leg will be different.

"There are moments I'm frustrated and I want my old life back," she said. "Other days, I appreciate I have a leg. It doesn't always behave, but it's mine and it's not a plastic one It hit me when I swam for the first time that I was very grateful." spent doing tiring activities. So why might older people report feeling less tired than teens, twentysomethings and other adults? Kudrna wonders if technology might be making younger people feel more tired, or if other, untracked health factors are influencing the results. The bottom line, however, is that "we don't know," Kudrna said.

"And I'd love to find out." The study, recently published online in the Journals of Gerontology, Series Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, urged more research to understand the unexpected results. Surviving flesh-eating bacteria gave her Gilbert ALTAMONT Aileen Gilbert, 96, Altamont, died Tuesday (Dec. 3, 2013). Arrangements incomplete: GracelandFairlawn Funeral Home. Paradee RAMSEY Karen E.

Paradee, 61, Ramsey, beautician, died Tuesday (Dec. 3, 2013). Services: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Ramsey Christian Church. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday in the church. Burial: Ramsey Cemetery. Arrangements by: Miller Funeral Home, Ramsey. Memorials: to the family. Send condolences: www.

millerfh.net. Taylor-Groff TAYLORVILLE Beverly Diane (Oyler) Taylor-Groff, 66, of Taylorville entered her Heavenly home at 8:24 am Tuesday, December 3 at her residence. She was born March 1, 1947 in Taylorville the daughter of Loren and Louise Smith Oyler. On February 13, 1971 she married William "Bill" Taylor in Beverly Taylor-Groff Springfield, EL and he preceded her in death on April 25, 1995. Beverly then married Gary L.

Groff on May 23, 1998 at Taylorville Christian Church. Mrs. Groff was a 1965 graduate of Taylorville High School and had been employed at Sangamon Greeting Card Company and Continental Grain Company. She is survived by her husband: Gary Groff of Taylorville; Children: Scott Taylor of Macomb, IL, Stacey Taylor-Stallings and companion Joe Lomprez of Taylorville, Dar-rell Groff and wife Kathleen of Mattoon, and Janolyn Groff of Macon. Grandchildren: Taylor Neal, Corey Groff, Mitchel Reuter, Ashley Groff, Whitney Groff, and Abrielle Groff.

Great Grandchildren: Valkyrie Groff and Aries Groff. She was greeted in Heaven by her parents, first husband, Bill Taylor, and Brothers Richard Oyler in infancy and Ronald Oyler. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, December 7 at McClure Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm 7:00 pm Friday at McClure Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclurefuneral home.com. Obituary written by family members. Worth a thousand words offers reprints with framing options or gift items such as mugs or puzzles. You can order images found on (some copyright restrictions apply), including the pictures that accompany stories and images found in our online photo galleries. Just click! Buy Now Continued from D3 Geesa CASEY Betty Francis Cribelar Geesa, 85, Port Charlotte, formerly of Casey, retired from banking, died Nov.

18, 2013. Services: noon Saturday, Casey United Methodist Church. Visitation: two hours before services in the church. Burial: Casey-Cumberland Cemetery, Casey. Arrangements by: Markwell Funeral Home, Casey.

Memorials: Tidewell Hospice of Southwest Florida, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238; or Casey Cumberland Presbyterian Church General Fund. Send condolences: www.markwell funeralhome.com. Kam TUSCOLA Verlee Kara, 81, of Tuscola, IL, passed away at 12:20 a.m., Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at the Tuscola Health Center, Tuscola, IL. Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 7, 2013 at the Bethel Memorial Cemetery Mt. Vernon, IL.

No Visitation Verlee Kam will be held. Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, EL is entrusted with the arrangements. Verlee was born June 15, 1932 in Casey, IL the Daughter of Theodore B. and Pearl Swim Malcom. She married Charles E.

"Charlie" Kara on November 15, 1952 in Mt. Vernon, EL. He preceded her in death on October 24, 2001. She is survived by her daughter: Paula Kara of Tuscola, IL, brother: Paul Malcom of Washburn, EL and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and 2 sons: Charles Earl Kara, Jr.

and Paul Malcom Kara, sister and brother-in-law: Pauline and William R. Mezo and nephew: Chuck Malcom Verlee was a homemaker. She formerly worked at Kraft Foods and Magnavox in Champaign, IL. Verlee also worked as a beautician at Wilma Keigley's Beauty Shop. She was a member of the Logan Street Baptist Church in Mt.

Vernon, EL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Presence Covenant Hospice Unit, Tuscola Health Care Center or SAM's Food Pantry. Online condolences may be sent via hilligossshraderfh. com Obituary written by family members. McLain MOWEAQUA Robert E.

McLain, 83, Moweaqua, Korean War Army veteran and retired from Caterpillar died Tuesday (Dec. 3, 2013). Services: 11 a.m. Friday, Seitz Funeral Home, ARMY Moweaqua. Visitation: one hour before services.

Burial: Westside Cemetery, Moweaqua, with military rites. Memorials: Moweaqua Lions Club, Moweaqua American Legion Post 370 or Central Promoters. Send condolences: www.seitzfh. com. blood cell count at two to five times higher than what's considered normal.

Her pulse wouldn't drop below 150. Soltero was alert and lucid but was in kidney failure and septic shock. When necrotizing fasciitis took the forefront, her attending doctor ordered an MRI. Four or five patients were ahead of Soltero; he was told she'd have to wait until later that night or the morning. "She may not be here tomorrow," he said.

Soltero, 39, relays heart-stopping details calmly, but hardly sounds detached. How she gave power of attorney to her father before the first surgery. How terrified she was to see a team of nurses and doctors gather in her hospital room. How her doctor said he didn't know how much of her leg he'd have to take in order to remove the infection. The disease, which affects about one in a million people, is usually close to the skin thus its "flesh-eating bacteria" moniker.

But, said Soltero, co-owner of Crowbar Cardio in Lakewood, "Mine was almost to the bona They cut into my quads, hamstring, IT band. I had a hole in my hip joint. Antibiotics helped control it, but the treatment is to get it out of your body." McClatchy-Tribune Ne.vs Service DALLAS Karen Soltero doesn't mind the scar that wends its way 22 inches from her knee to just above the waistband of her workout shorts. She handles the constant discomfort in her left leg. She still keeps Neosporin handy but has stopped assuming that every bug bite, blister or everyday scratch is a gateway for potentially deadly bacteria to return.

The visible signs and the silent ones are the price she pays for this blessing called life. She almost lost it, almost had it snatched away, almost became a statistic. On March 21, three days before Soltero was to run a half-marathon, the intruder that almost took her down necrotizing fasciitis introduced itself with seemingly innocuous symptoms. Who, after all, hasn't had chills and fever? Plus, the pain in her left leg and hip felt familiar, as if she'd just completed a tough run. By the middle of the night, though, her symptoms included vomiting and diarrhea.

Early the next morning, her parents took her to the emergency room at Baylor University Medical Center Dallas. Blood tests showed her white fewer activities they find tiring. Kudrna and a fellow researcher analyzed answers from the 2010 American Time Use Survey, a nationally representative survey sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that included nearly 13,000 U.S. residents. Earner rounds of the survey explored how Americans spent their time, but the 2010 survey was the first to ask how people felt during different activities.

Each person filled out a diary of what they did the previous day and how they felt about some of their activities. They rated how tired Study: Seniors say they're less exhausted than teens they felt while doing those activities on a scale of 0 to 6. Remarkably, Americans ages 65 and older reported being less tired than older teens and young twentysome-things, pegging themselves almost one point lower on the tiredness scale. Tiredness dropped off after the age of 40 and continued to decrease with age, Kudrna said. The results were controlled for how healthy people thought they were and other background characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity, number of children add how much people slept.

Researchers also factored in how much of the day was McClatchy-Tribune News Service Senior people say they feel much less tired than teenagers and younger adults, according to a surprising new study that tracked how nearly 13,000 Americans rated then-exhaustion. The results counter earlier studies and defy stereotypes of older people as weak and tired, said Laura Kudrna, a researcher at the London School of Economics and Political Science. What's even more surprising, she said, is that the unexpected results can't be explained away by older people sleeping longer or doing.