This November, get connected with information and resources that can help you or your friends with epilepsy, diabetes, or Alzheimer's disease. Knowing how to seek support and support our loved ones can help save lives!
Epilepsy Awareness:
Epilepsy affects 1 in 26 people. A person can have different types of seizures, and they impact everyone in different ways. The first thought that usually comes to a person’s mind when they hear the word “seizure” is a person who is shaking, throwing up or unconscious.
While this is definitely how some seizures present themselves, other types of seizures are very different. Some people are still awake during a seizure but will be very confused and may have trouble remembering the event later on. The person may be able to talk a bit, but it may be a struggle to move or form words.
For many people with epilepsy, one of the most emotionally challenging parts is being unable to drive. In most states, anytime someone has a seizure, they have to wait a certain amount of time until they can drive again. Losing the privilege to drive can drastically affect a person’s ability to leave their house, hold a job, and take away much of their independence.
Some people may have access to public transportation, but for those who live in more rural areas, they must rely on friends, families, or volunteers to be taken everywhere. It is devastating to have the freedom of being an adult taken away so suddenly and entirely depend on others anytime they must go somewhere. Seizures can look very scary to outsiders, especially if they have not seen them before, but it is essential to stay calm and follow the directions below on how to help someone during a seizure.
(Image Retrieved From Epilepsy Foundation)
Resources
More information on Epilepsy:
Seizure First Aid Training:
Diabetes Awareness
About 1 in 10 people have diabetes. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. With type 1 diabetes, the body cannot produce insulin, and type 2 does not produce insulin correctly or does not produce enough. It can be difficult sometimes for doctors to diagnose what type of diabetes a person has. However, type 1 generally develops symptoms in as little as a week, whereas type 2 tends to develop symptoms much slower. Type 1 diabetes is also typically diagnosed in childhood, and type 2 is diagnosed later in life. Type 1 is developed because the body’s immune system sees cells that produce insulin as dangerous and, therefore, destroys them.
When all of these cells are gone, a person can no longer produce insulin. A person may develop type 2 if they lack exercise or have poor eating habits; however, sometimes the body stops using insulin correctly, and it is not always known why. Type 1 diabetes is something a person will always live with but can be managed. Type 2 can also be controlled or even reversed if the person makes significant lifestyle changes in their health habits. Should a person with diabetes have an emergency, such as low blood sugar, follow the directions below to help.
(Image Retrieve From International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations )
Resources
More information:
Diabetes First Aid Training:
Works Cited:
Alzheimer’s Awareness
Alzheimer’s disease affects 1 in 9 people over the age of 65. It almost always exclusively affects older people who develop this disease, but younger people can develop it too. People diagnosed with Alzheimer's have difficulty with their memory, ability to speak, and do simple tasks. Someone with early Alzheimer's will forget where they put something, ask the same thing over again, forget names, or have issues organizing plans. Symptoms of moderate Alzheimer's include confusion and worse memory loss, struggles to recognize friends and family, repeating stories or questions, and needing help with personal hygiene. In the late stages, a person may mistake people for someone else, cannot remember their family and friends, have delusions, or be unable to feed themselves, walk, or sit up. There is no cure for this disease, but medicines may help slow the progression a bit. While developing Alzheimer’s disease is possible, it is not something that each person will develop as they age.
Resources:
More Information:
Training Workshop:
Sensory Box Ideas:
Games/toys/object that could be included in the box:
Fidget blanket or pillow (Can be found on Amazon or Etsy)
* This article was written by Leah, our student social worker from SIUE. If you would like to get connected with community resources and other assistance, email socialworkers@caseyvillelibrary.org or call 618-345-5848.