Again, I've been remiss in plugging into the blog.  Sounds like Don and Jane had a great and restful trip.  I was looking at the credits on the blog old brother, and it says you're 73.  I think that's close to two years out of date, right?  So maybe, that extra two years is cause for a bit of fatigue, maybe?  You both have been hitching from coast to coast for the past month.  Normal to be a bit pooped, I would think?  Kansas is doing well in this pre-election atmosphere.  Plenty of rain in most places, crops look great, so the farmers will be happy campers, which out here is a big deal.  The religion business is booming out here as well.  I sometimes wonder where we got of the track of 20 centuries ago and made the big turn into church's building bigger and better "Cadillac buildings", keeping us clergy well paid, with nice pension funds toward which we clergy look with anticipation and really kind of backed off from the hard stuff: like how do we change a world that's been nuts for a very long time.  There - I think I needed to emote all that - I hope I did not offend.  After all, I'm no different: it won't be too many months before that nice pension enables me to redirect after almost 30 years of this.  Until next time.  Have a great Fall.  Live today.  From Kansas. 

I've been struggling to get my motor running since we got back. I'm really tired. Had to drop out of a round of golf at the 9th hole. Just couldn't go on.

Jenny is off on a two week vacation. She and her significant other, John, are on a camping/hiking trip around the west. Right now they are in Park City, Utah. They spent a couple of days in June Lake, California. They may get as far as Yellowstone Park. She checks in by phone every day or two. They are having a blast.

My mind is a blank. I'm going to quit, for now.

We're getting up early in the morning and heading for home. We plan to make it in two days.

This has been a wonderful adventure. The scenery up here is extraordinary. The shore line is magnificent with huge boulders rising up near the shore and rugged cliffs standing over sandy beaches.

We took the 'Skunk Train' tour through the redwoods today out of Fort Bragg. The rail line used to haul logs out of the forest but they are no longer harvesting trees. We rode in an ancient rail car pulled by a 90 year old steam engine for 5 hours. It was great.

Had a great time but it will be good to get home.

We are at the Point Arena Lighthouse Resort in Northern California. It's a lovely place, new and clean, with tiny individual cabins instead of a huge building. The setting is rustic with lots of trees. We're just a mile from the coast.

We've really been lazy since we got here... watching the Olympics, reading and sleeping a lot.

Jane's out of the hospital; weak but healthy. We're packing for our trip home tomorrow at 6 am. I'll back to you then.

Jane should get out of the hospital tomorrow morning. All of her test so far are normal. Her blood pressure is back under control and she feels fine.

Day after tomorrow we fly back to California. I don't anticipate any problems. We'll be glad to get home.

Really, we LOVE to visit our son and his family but I always get impatient to get home. This time it is even more so since Jane became ill.

Jane went shopping with Laurie, our daughter-in-law, and granddaughter Andrea yesterday. Late in the afternoon Laurie called to tell me that Jane was having shortness of breath and chest pains. I told her to take her to the emergency room.

She was admitted and has been having test ever since. She didn't have a heart attack but her blood pressure was over 200. Medications made the symptoms subside and this afternoon she feels much better. She still has to take a stress test and then they should release her.

I hope so. We have airline tickets for a flight home on Friday morning.

I just read the recent comments interchanged between Jan and the Belgian Hayens. It reminded me of a connection I made several years ago on-line with a girl named Hayen. Her family owned a brewery, I think, and had a long history in that country.

Jan and I are the third or forth generation of American Hayens. Our grandfather (or great grandfather) lived in Illinois and from there, our grandfather Edward, immigrated to Kansas. He had 11 children by two wives and one of them, Fred, our father, moved in off the homestead to the little town of Marion and became a mailman after serving in the First World War.

That is where we were born; seven children of the Fred and Florence (Brigham) Hayen family; 6 boys and one girl. With the exception of one, all of us got advanced graduate degrees. Neither of our parents completed high school.

Over the years I've looked in city phone books and found Hayens that were not related to me. I've also ran into several on the internet. I wonder if we all have a common ancestor.

Lots of ugly black clouds and a few showers today but it didn't rain much.

Enjoying our grandchildren. Our two youngest, Ally and Adam, are here. They really give their parents a run for their money. It's fun to see them realize that they aren't the perfect parents they thought they were.

Spent a lot of time watching the Olympics today. Aren't the spectacular?

Got into Detroit Airport at 4:30 today and our son, Chris met us and drove us home to a suburb north of the city. I'm lying in bed writing this and about to fall asleep. We got up at 3:30 this morning and I didn't sleep on the plane.

It is great to see the grand kids again. They are so precious and so much fun to be around. We'll have a nice week here.

Justin reports that his first day back at school in Big Bear was great. He hung out with lots of friends and likes his classes (mostly). He's talking about going to college. I think he envies his brothers freedom. We'll see... that's a long way off.

My hip injection went well. Beginning to feel better already. Getting a shot in the hip joint is a lot more involved than the knee. I had to go to a surgi-center and get a hip block. Then they had to guide to needle into the joint space using radiography. I was amazed that he went through my buttock and hit the spot perfectly, the first try. wow!

I'm hoping to get at least 6 months respite with this shot. It will get me into next year and I won't have to be trying to rehab a new hip on two wobbly knees.

We leave tomorrow for a trip to visit our son's family in Michigan. Our youngest two grand children are there, Ally and Adam, along with there older sister Andy, We probably won't see Kevin, the oldest boy. He just graduated from Michigan U and is working in Ann Arbor until his girl friend graduates.

I'll keep up with postings. bye.

Had an appointment last week with the neuropsychiatrist now, this week, I've seen the dental hygienist, the urolologist and tomorrow, the orthopedic surgeon to get a shot of cortisone in my hip. Then Wednesday, it's back to the dentist to get some gum work.

It's not easy growing old.

I went to see Dr. Berkowitz, my neuropsychiatrist, yesterday. I told him of my depression problems and he changed my medication to a stronger and higher dose.

Depression is a major symptom of Alzheimer's disease. In fact, patient's are often misdiagnosed with depression before the true cause is discovered. Although my depression is more long lasting and probably familial, Alzheimer's has definitely aggravated it and made it more profound.

We will be leaving next Thursday to visit our son's family in Michigan. We see them once or twice a year. We're looking forward to a week-long visit.

Jenni is about to start a support group for adult family members of Alzheimer's patients. Spouses, adult children and adult grandchildren are encouraged to attend this free service sponsored by the Glenner Alzheimer's Family Center located inside the Silverado Alzheimer's Community facility located at 335 Saxony Road, Encinitas, CA. 92024.

If you are interested or have any questions, call Jenni Gafford at 619-507-7998. She is looking forward to your call. She is going to use the book Learning to Speak Alzheimer's, a wonderful book written by a woman who spent most of her adult life caring for Alzheimer's patients. She has very practical and straight-forward ideas and suggestions.

Once again the 'ol Doc and a nephew, niece, or two raise comments and the issue of our Hayen tendency toward regular bouts of depression.  As I experience this same rather rhythmic cycle of ups and downs myself, I can know Dr. Don's AD does intensify this part of his genetic make-up. 

At this time in my life, as I approach the end of my active career of doing what I've been doing, I have to be careful not to lose sight of the value of all these years, how I most likely have positively impacted peoples lives with my work.  Don, nephew Fred, all of us need to keep this in mind--all of you need to understand the power of your lives, your living, both past and even now. The work of your lives has made a difference. 

Of course, we all can of sight those moments of failure, or make this current moment take on more power than it deserves.  When we do play that mental game, the power of who we are and have been seems to diminish, even disappear.  That, my friends IS depressing.  But it is not the truth of our living.  I'm a fairly introverted person, I love to be along. 

But I know I have shared the gift of myself with many people.  And it has made a difference.  I have to regularly remind myself of this truth.  We all need to remember this is the source of life no matter how our lives may have changed as we live this moment.  And remember too, that in this moment, we all do have something we share with someone else.  It may not be as universally powerful as a "last lecture", but who is to say it will not have just the same kind of impact for that one person who we touch with our living today. 

Sermonette #62!!  Not really.  Just a word from a sometimes depressed Methodist preacher. From Kansas.

Justin went back Jennie's apartment yesterday after spending 12 days with us. He starts school in Big Bear next week. He was proud of his grades last year... all passing and some A's and B's. 

Jenny loves her work. She is working for the Glenner Center, a day-care facility apart from the Silvarado in-patient community in Encinitas, California. They provide special activities for Alzheimer's patients who enroll for 1 to 5 days a week. They go on local outings to parks, beaches and local attractions. Lots of one-on-one time with patients. It gives the caregiver a full day of respite to rest or work and the Center provides transportation to and from the persons home.

I'm struggling with depression. It gives me a dreary outlook. I tried to get my prescription adjusted 3 months ago and got confused about dosage and didn't get it done. I'll see the doctor next week and get that fixed. I'm looking forward to it.
'

After a doctor's appointment this morning, I went to pick up Justin at the beach. He had spent the morning flying his slope plates. This evening we're going to have Jenny, Justin and Travis along with Jenny's significant other, John, over for dinner. Going to do some fillet mignon on the outdoor brazier.

We've had beautiful weather since we got back from our trip. Eighty degrees and sunny. Justin has a very sunburned nose.

My old medical practice that I parted with 11 years ago just moved into a new office. I went by and saw it today. Quite exciting. Very modern, spacious and beautiful.

I just tried to write this entry and the web site dumped it. ugh! I'll try again.

A reader asked how to reach Silvarado. I don't know how far east the Silvarado corporation goes. Their founder has a unique idea of what they should be and how they are operated. They call themselves 'communities' rather than nursing homes or extended care facilities. Employees can bring their children to work to mingle with the patients and pets are allowed as well.

The home office is in San Juan Capistrano, California and the nearest facility to me is in Encinitas on the coast north of San Diego.

Justin, our 16 year old grandson has been staying with us this past week. He'll have to leave in a week and return to his father's house in Big Bear, a mountain resort about 125 miles north of us. He'll go to school there this year.

I've spent the evening trying to write this entry but my computer keeps sputtering. Our hook up to the internet is faulty, I think. My Grandson is setting here beside me having the same problem, so it must be a system problem.

If I don't get this entry published you'll never know I tried. I'm kinda' helpless, right? We're prisoners to these crazy gadgets.

Spent much of the day with Grandson, Justin. He's spending much of the week with us. He's really turned the corner into maturity this past 6 months. Good looking big kid with a great smile and sense of humor. He must have to fight off the girls.

I think I've finally recovered from our Russian trip. Took a toll but it is lots of good memories. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

A while back I wrote a few entries about the ideal Alzheimer's care facility and voiced an opinion that there wasn't one yet. I had written an article for an Alzheimer's Association publication and in preparing it I concluded that the physical facilities might exist (the buildings and such) but the staffing had not yet been perfected to create a 'compassionate companion' for the patients.

Well, I'm going to eat my words. Jenny, my daughter, has been working at the local Silverado facility and she has been hired to fulfill that role...a compassionate companion, assisting in-patients and day care clients with daily activities that make their lives happier and more meaningful. She is thrilled with her work although some of the family members are a pain.

She reports to me that the entire organization is directed toward that mission. Will wonders never cease?

I found 540 rubles in my billfold today. That's about $23. In the confusion of our trip back, I guess we didn't account for all the money we exchanged. I'll send it to our friend, Marilyn. She will know what to do with it and besides, we owe her a lot for her generous hosting.

I'm still not up to speed and with Jane's cold, she isn't either. We're just not young and spry like we used to be.

I was going through our pictures today. We took 226. Some are going to get trashed but most are OK. Lots of neat memories to carry home. I hope we can get them labeled before we forget what they are.

We've been back 48 hours now and still kind of dopey. Jet-lag I'd guess.

Our trip was a whirl-wind of experiences; mostly good to great, a few so-so. St. Petersburg was marvelous; great history and art (and lots of steps).  The ship was very nice; small rooms but OK. Food was ample and delicious. The scenery was spectacular along the banks and we stopped and toured at several interesting places.

We arrived in Moscow last Thursday and spent three days touring, shopping and having fun. Attended a concert made up of traditional Russian instruments played my young university music students. It was unbelievable. They were so talented and the music was grand.

Marilyn Murray, my friend from high school days, met us and we spent a day with her shopping followed by visit to a famous art museum in Moscow. We stayed in her apartment Saturday night. Very small but quiet nice.

Our trip back on Sunday was marred only by a brief delay out of Moscow, a 6 hour layover in Frankfort and a glitch in hooking up with Jenny at LAX. Overall, the whole trip was an unforgetable 12 days. We'd love to go back.

My wobbly knees limited my walking so I sat a lot and watched people. I used a cane, which helped. Never-the-less I got really tired and Jane came down with a bad cold yesterday. Anyway, we're back.

We arrived back from our two week trip to Russia last night and crashed for 12 hours. I was terribly tired and felt like I'd walked across Russia but it was worth it. What a wonderful adventure.

I'll try to catch you all up on what we did but first, I need to take a nap.

I just checked the blog and noticed Don's last and latest entry suggesting I might fill in while he and Jane are wandering Eastern Europe.  I won't pretend to "fill in" but I can always write something or other.  He mentioned Marilyn Murray (Reh), who as a neighbor of ours when we grew up at 620 Hudson in Marion.  Marilyn's little sister Mary Sue was my age and we were good friends in those early days of my growing up.  They were a nice family who moved from Marion to Arizona sometime in my late grade school years.  Marilyn is an expert in her field of work and does spend some considerable months in Russia doing what she does.  Obviously I don't know what that is!  I haven't checked her web site.  I will do so.

I will be gone in a few days for a few weeks of R&R.  Don and Jane will be home soon.  Summer is in full swing here in the Plains.  Lots of rain and storms and floods this year, and I'm sure some significant heat really soon.  July/August can be brutal in this part of the world.  Until later.  From Kansas.

Tomorrow Jenni will drive us to LA airport. We fly to Frankfort and from there to St. Petersburg. Tuesday evening (their time; morning, our time) we'll be on the ship.

I'm not going to take my laptop with me so I'm not sure if I'll have any entries here until after July 6th. Maybe Jan will fill in for me. There is supposed to be computers and internet connection from the ship so, hopefully, I'll plug in.

We end up with 3 days in Moscow. We'll spend a day with our good friend Marilyn Murray. She was the 'girl next door' when I was in high school and we've kept in touch ever since. She's a remarkable woman. Goggle her, you'll see what I mean.

Anyway, goodbye for now. See you in 2 weeks if not sooner.

Niece Julie's story from Slate reminded me of the immensity of uncertainty, sorrow, anger, frustration, fear which AD can bring into the lives of family members/caregivers, characterized by the son in the story and his "ballistic" reaction to Dad and friend finding love and life in the midst of their shared pain of AD.  So much can be read into his reaction: his perception of his Dad being unfaithful to his deceased mother?  (This guy is still grieving her death.)  That mixed with his own immense grief in this disease?  All the fear which AD could bring to his own future?  His anger at life handing them all this "thing" which has taken over all they had hoped for in this family's future?  And now Dad is somehow reverting to behavior which sends this son over the edge.  We probably shouldn't be surprised.  Everyone loses in this, do they not?
All of us as caregivers need to take notice of the intensity of grief which besets everyone caught in this complex disease.  Letting our own stuff invade how we respond to our loved one will cause just this kind of reaction if we are not aware and ready to understand the need to redefine life and living in this entirely new context.  "Normal" is redefined, redirected, refocused.  Maybe day by day!  Check out your individual grief processes in this time.  This son would have been much more wise had he been in touch with what is rather what he wanted it all to be.  Summer has happened in Kansas City.  The floods are North, South, and East of us so far.  Enjoy today. Take care.  Jan

My niece, Julie, sent me a copy of an article from Slate, the internet magazine titled; An Affair to Remember. It was about two patients in a dementia care facility, the woman was 82 and the man 93; they fell in love and then started having sex.

The two became inseparable, eating meals and sitting around holding hands and enjoying each other's company. Their dementia also improved. She began playing the piano again and he'd join in singing, not always the right tune but enjoying it never-the-less. They were like teen-agers.

When the man's son caught them in bed together, he went ballistic. He demanded that the nursing staff keep them apart and finally, the man was forced to leave. The woman became depressed, stopped eating and nearly died before she finally forgot him.

Isn't that a sad story? It speaks to some of the issues I've mentioned before; Even though dementia makes us child-like, we can still enjoy life and all it can bring. Sometimes we might behave inappropriate but give us space to live.

Our pastor's oldest child just graduated from high school and they had a open house last night in celebration. We went and had a nice time. Saw a lot of people from our church. Stood around and talked while we ate from the buffet.

On our way home, Jane pointed out that I didn't talk much. I didn't initiate conversations as I used to and seemed impatient to leave. Looking back, I think she is right and it bothers me a bit.

I've found idle conversation quite boring. I've even gotten to snapping at Jane when she runs on about some event. I used to enjoy talking current events or asking others about their activities. Have I lost that skill to talk or the interest to ask?

Maybe my boredom is depression. Certainly that's been a problem lately. I don't think I'm confused or unable to formulate comments or questions. My friend Frank, who has Alzheimer's and I visit weekly, is stuck on a few stories, which he repeats every time I see him. Strangely enough, he was very quite this week as well. Maybe is the weather.

More likely it's just part of the disease and I'm just falling into a less social pattern that is inevitable.

Jane and I are busy getting ready for a trip to Russia. We leave June 23 and come back July 8. It's a Viking river cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow.

Jane has given me a 'honey do' list. She is so efficient it makes me want to throw up. If I ever lose her I might as well walk in front of a train. I couldn't survive without her. 

In the middle of all our scurrying around, we had a tv crew out to interview us yesterday. This is an interesting organization called 'PACE Television' out of San Diego who produce cable tv pieces directed toward a senior citizens audience. What is unusual is that all the workers are retired senior citizens. Anyway, the interview will show sometime in mid-July on Time-Warner Channel 19.  

I'd better get going. If Jane comes home and catches me fiddling with the computer she'll yell at me.

Great news about Jenny's new job.  It sounds like a great fit.  I really don't have any wise addition to ongoing comments from the 'ol Bro and all of you.  Just decided on this cool, rainy, early Summer day in Kansas to write something to keep myself in the mix of things here. 

One observation which may not be known to all of you are the connections this blog has made with other persons in other places who have great interest in this subject.  Don's writings and involvement in the AD movement have caught the attention of people who care about doing something which will impact research, care issues, all areas of funding concerns which have been expressed in this ongoing discussion.  As I look at the rest of my life after this work I am doing now, it could be all of us will continue to "beat the drum" to such an extent we can permanently and positively impact how we as a society confront AD in the long term. 

Time will tell.  For sure the discussion in this space is a supportive conversation which has great meaning to many people who have been affected by this disease.  Keep writing.  That's it from Kansas. 

Jenny got the job and she starts work tomorrow. I'm so excited for her.

As I understand it, she will be working with residents on a personal level, interacting, visiting, reading, playing cards and trying to communicate on their level. She'll also go on recreational outings with groups. Jenny is so compassionate and patient, she'll be great for that job.

Maybe this is the answer. Rather than changing the role of the person doing the grunt work -- bathing, making beds, cleaning up; or the professional, passing medicine, charting, feeding -- just add a person who is compassionate, like Jenny, to provide the setting of comfort and care that improves quality of life.

The way to make this happen is to search out the facilities with these extra services available for you or your loved one. The market forces will do the rest.

My daughter, Jenny, is about to get a new job in one of the Silvarado chain of facilities for dementia and elderly care. Her interview was something to behold. We share the same misgivings in these institutions and she approached them with her concerns on her sleeve and they listened!

She explained her ideas of 'compassionate caregivers' and they thought it was great! She hasn't gotten the final word yet, but she is waiting for the call to start.

It's refreshing to find out that some of these big chain facilities can recognize the need to move in new directions. I'll keep you posted as to how this works out.

Time slips by and I often forget I haven't written a blog. Well, here I am.

I spend a half day a week taking out a friend from church who has Alzheimer's more advanced than mine. He seems to enjoy it and it gives his wife a bit of rest.

Anyway, it gives insight into my future. I try to take a positive spin to the experience and learn how I might want to be treated when I repeat the same stories a dozen times or can't remember how to open the car door.

Last Friday, we walked out to the end of the Oceanside pier and back. We stopped to watch surfers catch waves and men fishing. It was a sunny, nice day and I think he enjoyed it.

We may do the same thing next week. He won't remember it. He usually dosen't remember me. That's ok. we have a good time anyway.

Had a return appointment with the neurologist at UCSD today. I had to use Jane's car with the GPS to find my way back to his office, even tough I've been there twice before. He past it off as being a long time (6 months) since my last visit. It wasn't that long ago I would never have lost my way back to a place I'd visited twice before.

He gave me his usual test and pronounced me normal... again. Possible MCI (minimal cognitive impairment) but he's not yet ready to call it Alzheimer's. That is not disappointing news. I don't want to be progressing. Yet, something is wrong with me and it would be great if they could be more precise.

Activism at the grass roots can change the way things are done now. If profit drive the system, we just need to threaten their profits.

Those of us looking for nursing homes or who have a loved one in a extended care facility should begin to criticize publicly about the care. Here are some of the things to look for:

1. Are patients dirty or unkempt? Are they properly dressed for the time of day?

2. Are people sitting in the hallways unattended while staff are gathered at the nursing station?

3. Are there smiles, hugs and quiet voices or does staff yell, push and shout orders?

4. Do staff have time to do their job? Do new faces appear every time you go to visit?

5. Is loud music playing? Are patients  parked in front of a tv?

There are probably other questions you can think of but you get the idea. Gather the evidence by watching, then write it all down and carry it to the director. Your number one demand will be to hire more staff, pay them more and train them better. Your loved one deserves a caregiver who will spend time making their life as meaningful as possible.

You are not demanding much; one forth of a nursing aides minimum wage pay to take care of your loved one. That would mean one nurses aide would be responsible for 2 patients each day shift, 4 patients each evening and 6 patients each night. That is one forth of $64 dollars or $16 a day. This absurdly low figures is an example of how our argument should go.

Now that Jan has responded again to the Nursing Home subject, I must too. Investment opportunities in our capitalistic society carry a power all their own. They attract money by promising big returns on investment and little risk. So when statistics show the surge of dementia care in our future (coinciding with the surge in baby boomer's) who wouldn't look at the nursing home industry as a place to put your money.

But, this industry has learned from long experience that the way to attract business is not to appeal to the patient who, after all, is barely aware of their surroundings and not in a position to complain. Rather, they market to the families who are out to find a nice place for dear old dad. So the fancy buildings, decor and trappings appeal to them that it will be a happy place and dad will be safe and secure.

It's like the movie set. All a facade, made to look like a palace but really a mad house. All it would take to change that is to take the money spent on the excesses in buildings and things and spend it on trained, qualified, caring staff.

I've passively been following the rich discussion of our nursing home dilemma in this country.  It would seem it is close to the surface for many of us, isn't it? 

As a care-giver myself, over these past 28 years of Christian ministry, I have been exposed to the best and the worst of nursing care in many communities which I and my family have called home.  It would seem to me as I reflect on this past three decades, not too much has changed dramatically in advancing the quality of care of such institutions.  This is interesting because we are living longer, the "boomer" segment of our culture is coming of age, hitting the sixties, and with the economic resources this segment has at their disposal, the pressure such economic strength should exert on nursing care, all should equal a visible improvement in such care.  It isn't happening. 

I think Don hits it right on when he observes big money controls this side of our institutional care for the aging.  Do I think we can impact the system and bring about change?  I am not encouraged  we can.  However, if we boomers and the remaining segment of the generation preceding us would unite it just could be we can make a difference. 

Maybe a strategy of state by state would get it started.  The reality of that statement is Congress and federal support of realistic and focused change will have to happen.  I have to be honest and say I don't have too much faith the federal side of this support will happen.

As my spouse and I move to 65, continue to pay our long term care premium every year, the reality of what many of you face, what she and I may face comes  close to home.  I 'm not sure any of this statement opens new ideas but it is what I sense as I listen to many of you in this discussion.  From Kansas.

Maybe some of you don't know this but in the background, this blog counts activity and lets me see statistics whenever I want. I point this out because my brother Jan's entry 12 days ago about Nursing Homes in Kansas has been read by 98 people. He has also had 4 comments entered on that entry.

Now this is an unusual number of hits on one blog entry. Usually it's in the 30's or 40's. This past week, 2894 blog entries were read out of all the past and present entries. That is about average so, for whatever reason, some of you are particularly interested in our nursing home controversy.  

I don't know what we should be seeking: Closer state oversight of these institutions?  Demands for transparent financing?  Closer controls on qualifications and salaries?  Big money controls these institutions and it will not be easy to break through that barrier.  

After arriving back from Washington 4 days ago, I've had to rest up from all the walking.  I'm feeling good now so am back at work. Gave a talk at a local Rotary Club today at noon. Seemed to come off well and had a lot of questions.

There is quite a lot of publicity on the internet about our meeting. We all attended a Senate hearing on Alzheimer's where Sandra Day O'Connor and Newt Gingrich testified. Darryl White, one of my colleagues on the Early Stage Advisory Board also testified. I hope we made some impact.

Well, we're back. Got up at 3 am (midnight west coast time) and flew through Chicago to San Diego. Arrived at 10 am. After yesterdays marathon on Capitol Hill, I am exhausted. Have taken it easy today but tomorrow I have to hustle.

Saturday I am going to speak at a forum for senior citizens and follow that on Monday with a talk to a Rotary club. Have to do some preparation tomorrow.

The Washington event was truly an inspiration. Four hundred and fifty people, most with early Alzheimer's, were there to lobby and learn. I'm constantly amazed at the uplifting message from those suffering from Alzheimer's. They are all so positive and upbeat.

It's a good lesson for all. You don't need to get defeated by this terrible disease. Put on a smile and go out and talk to people.

We've been in Washington for 3 days now and having a good but tiring time. My wobbly knees make it hard to get around, particularly walking stairs or getting in and out of cars. Despite that, we've had time to visit the Newseum, a new museum devoted to the history of news reporting.

It's an amazing place. The current front page of nearly every large city is available to see posted on display. There was so much to see, I can't describe it all. Just see it if you ever go to Washington.

We spent a day interviewing with news media on Friday. Saturday evening we went to the National Cathedral for a lite show projected on the outside of the building. And today, Sunday, we had to move hotels. This evening we have our first meeting at dinner.

Could not get on the internet at the first hotel but made from here so I'll get one more entry in before we leave (I think).

Tomorrow Jane and I fly to Washington, DC. We'll spend a week meeting with others, hearing presentations and lobbying legislators. It will be a busy and motivating time.

I'll take my computer along and try to blog. I'll be home May 15th.

The response to my attack on nursing homes has been rather remarkable. Jan's last entry affirms what my cousin Max had to say his comment. Small towns are less afflicted by the big chain nursing home facilities and provide better hands-on care. The answer is to move to Kansas.

Regardless, the industry is inherently poorly run and driven by money rather than patient care. Many of you have pointed out that you have had good experiences and, no doubt, you have. But when I was in practice I saw these facilities from the inside and I know how slipshod they are run... and there were few exceptions. Even the most spectacular and gilded facilities will sacrifice services for profit.

Forgive me for painting with such a broad brush. It is unfair. But we should not have to be in the position of proving their quality of care. That should be a given and it is not. They will have to go aways to prove to me that I am wrong. 

Let's move on. Keep sending comments and suggestions and I will research how we might get the message out.  

I just walked back in my office from a couple of hours of visiting in nursing/care facilities here in the Lenexa area.  These are huge operations with many employees, and many residents.  In one case, it is a rather depressing experience, with most of the employees not too connected to either their work, to visitors, and most of all appear to be rather disconnected from the people depending upon their care.
The other setting is vibrant, bright, clean, with persons working there who immediately connect with anyone who comes through the door, asking how they can help, who am I there to visit, and amazingly, immediately know where the person's room is located.  I have never entered this place and not experienced just what I have described.  Most of my parishioners who require this kind of extensive care live in this second place.  It is expensive.  It has a reputation of keeping its employees.  It is, unfortunately, not accessible to everyone: for example, Connie and I could not afford to take advantage of its care.  It is beyond our resources.
This comparison is the case throughout Kansas, in my ministry experience.  Some of the very best care places are in the smallest Kansas towns.  Some of the worst I have seen are in the same setting.  It is a profit driven business back this way, as it sounds it is where all of you live.  Do we need a revolution?  No doubt about it.  The existing system of care is so entrenched in the medical care debaucle which exists in the US I have no optimism such a revolution could take shape.  It surely won't change if we just sit on it and do nothing.  From Kansas.  jan

I'm not sure how to get started but it's evident that many of you think a rally to get the nursing home industry to change its ways is in order. I suppose we could gather statistics and stories from our own experiences put them on this sight.

A blog is not a good place to place long essays but if you can boil down your entries to 2 or 3 paragraphs, that will work. I will search for ways to distribute this work and maybe rally everyone to urge legislators to support or oppose certain congressional bills.

Evaluate the nursing homes in your community and critique them. Talk to people who have loved ones there; do they like them; are there problems? If you run across articles or web-sites of interest, let me know.

My recent diatribe about the nursing home industry really struck a spark ... lots of comments and emails.

I'm convinced that we could discuss this forever but nothing would change. Someone has to shoot down their balloon of marketing with attractive buildings and grounds to attract families looking for a placement of a loved one. If enough negative publicity was raised, they'd begin feeling it in their pocketbook. That's where it counts.

If there is enough interest, I'd be happy to help. This is something we can do in each of our localities... letters to the editor, attending public forums, writing articles.

Let me know and I'll begin feeding information here to resource the campaign.

I just had an article published in the journal, Alzheimer's Care Today, titled "The Ideal Nursing Home For Dementia Care. ACT is a quarterly publication of the Alzheimer's Association. In the article I tried to diplomatically take on the developers and investors who build nursing home and extended care facilities for dementia patients.

It's a very lucrative business. The upscale ones charge upward of $5000 a month. You'd think with that kind of money, you'd get a top-of-the-line treatment.

Go and sit in the hallway of one of these places for a day. Pretend you're waiting for someone so the staff will begin to overlook you. I'll wager you'll see things you can't believe. People are treated like cattle and dehumanized in every way imaginable.

The ACT journal would not let me be too frank. I couldn't, for example, tell the truth about the profits these people make and how they spend it all on marketing rather than for good salaries and amenities for patients. The industry should be ashamed of themselves.

I've got a file an inch and a half thick containing items related to our trip to Washington, DC next week. There are itineraries for the Early Stage Alzheimer's Advisory Group, a town hall meeting and schedules for meeting the press and the legislators. There are confirmations for airline flights, hotel rooms, etc. There is all kinds of background information... more than I could ever absorb. It's mind bogling.

But, I think we are ready to go.  We leave Thursday, the 8th and will return the following Thursday. A busy but fun time.

I read of Don and Jane's latest plan for overseas travel and realize the way I'm put together, they will have to build a highway from here to there if I am ever to see the far reaches of this world.  Some of you don't know that D & J spent some considerable time in China some years back doing some good work with medical students in Shanghai.  It was a wonderful time for all of us Hayen's as they sent regular e-mail and pictorial correspondance via the internet so all of us could see that amazing place.  I still have all the pics - so I travel vicariously with the 'ol Bro and Sis even these years later.

Our brother Bing was a career Air Force pilot, who in the post WWII years flew all over the world, including Shanghai just before the Communist revolution took hold of that country.  He was most interested in the changes which the pictures showed in that great city. 

All is well in Kansas.  I hadn't posted for a while - just to let you all know we are still bopping along back here in the Great Plains. 

We've been so busy, I haven't had time to blog. After getting back from Sacramento, we met with a travel agent and arranged a river cruise in Russia. Only problem is, that it's on June 22 and we have to get our passports renewed and visas.

In addition, we're going to take a week of a time share on the California coast about 80 miles north of San Francisco for our anniversary in August. Also we told our son's family in Michigan we would come back to visit this summer.

But first, we leave for Washington, DC on May 8 for a week of politicking for the Alzheimer's Association.