Arnie’s 80th Birthday and the USGA. A Great Way to LifeCatching.

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Created: Tuesday, 08 September 2009 00:00
[Today's entry is written by guest blogger, Barney Tabach. He is an avid golfer and equally enthusiastic about LifeCatching.]


On Thursday Arnold Palmer turns 80-years-old. For those of us who learned to play golf in the Sixties, Arnie was a god, not the god, but a Golf God. All those who thought golf was just a good walk spoiled changed their tune after watching the talent and energy of Arnold. He was an inspiration then, as he is now.

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To celebrate his milestone birthday, the United States Golf Association (USGA) created a web-based memory book. Anyone who wishes to share a story or memory can do so-in words, images or video. And Wow. Over 800 people, most of whom are just the regular golfer have contributed a memory or story.

And the great thing about this is Arnie can read them all!

This type of celebration is the essence of LifeCatching: capturing and sharing memories before the celebrant is gone or can no longer enjoy the moment; and the realizing that that the pictures are only half the story. We will always have our personal images of Arnie playing. Now we have the words of many about what is like to play golf with Arnie, have a cocktail with Arnie, or just get a ride to the airport with Arnie.

Stop today and think who you would like to celebrate their milestone birthday or any birthday with a memory book, whether web based or paper. Do it now. Capture, Archive, Share Today.

BONUS SESSION: Children's Alzheimer's Workshop

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Created: Monday, 31 August 2009 00:00
October 3
10 - 11:30am
Emeritus of Urbandale

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Have you wondered how mystifying Alzheimer's disease can be for younger people to understand? On Oct. 3, the Alzheimer's Experience Series will focus on the children.
First, there will be a viewing of "Grandpa, Do you know who I am? With Maria Shriver." This episode from the HBO series directs its message at children and teens coping with a grandparent's illness. Afterwards, we'll incorporate a creative LifeCatching activity for children that will help them deal with their grandparent's illness and how to save their stories. This is a session for children of all ages.

For more info and to reserve a space, contact Emeritus 515-331-0970.

HBO’s Alzheimer’s Project: Opportunity to View & Discuss

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Created: Sunday, 30 August 2009 00:00
Memories are precious. All too often we are well intentioned about preserving them. And then something happens and our opportunity to record them slips away. Increasingly this "something" is a result of dementia. For those of you affected by this hopeless situation, Home Instead Senior Care in Des Moines and the Alzheimer's Association Greater Iowa Chapter have joined with Emeritus in Urbandale, Iowa, to create a three-part series of conversations based on HBO's Alzheimer's Project. [We're all rooting for this phenomenal documentary series to win multiple Emmys.]

As part of the view and discuss series, I lead a session using my LifeCatching business experiences. I shared video clips, anecdotes and book samples to stimulate ideas of how the participants might better archive family histories. Together we explored their challenges and the how to get started and to complete a project as daunting as sorting years of accumulated memorabilia.

Amazingly, 90-minutes later, I felt encouraged that some attendees had mapped out a plan. That they would go home to organize memory assets, digitize old photos and movies for prolonged storage and easier sharing, and record the sound of a loved one's voice telling the stories while there still is a chance.

I hope that similar opportunities are occurring in your area of the world. If you are in Iowa, check out the next series. I will be there September 29.

NEXT SERIES: September 15, 22 and 29 at 6:30 - 8:00pm.
For more information contact Emeritus 515-331-0970.

Ageless moments at the Iowa State Fair.

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Created: Wednesday, 19 August 2009 00:00
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It may have been a rainy morning but Iowan's are not to be daunted from attending the State Fair. Today honored the elders. I joined in the fun that was happening at the Maytag Family Theatres, where I attended the Wii Bowling Contest and demonstration. The event was hosted by Anne Peters of Home Instead Senior Care. For three hours dozens of seasoned and novice bowlers enjoyed interacting with the video game and with each other. A seriously competitive group who know how to have fun too.

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The Iowa Department of Aging also honored the oldest married couple attending the Fair today. That was the Burns from Indianola. George, 97, and Maxine, 87, have been married 62 years.

Read Any Good Books Lately?

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Created: Monday, 29 June 2009 14:46
Still Alice by Lisa Genova.

This fictionalized portrayal of early-onset Alzheimer's disease is a heartbreaking read. You grasp Alice's destiny. There is no turning back the genetics of her situation.

Nevertheless, you feel compelled to keep reading.

Genova combines a genuine gift for storytelling with her training as neuroscientist. She slips us inside Alice's mind as she begins to notice memory problems. Genova creates a genuine understanding of Alzheimer's; what it must be like for the victim and their family. She gives us no false hopes, though she does not let us lose hope for future research and treatments.

The result is a memorable story that you will recommend to others - especially to anyone touched by Alzheimer's disease. With the growing numbers of people who deal with dementia disorders, Still Alice will have many readers until a cure is found.

For more information logon to the Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org. Also, view the HBO series: www.hbo.com/alzheimers

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