"Tell me why – Show me how – Hold my hand" (sm)

Dear Friends,

This month’s newsletter will be a bit short. I am preparing to make a significant change in my life.

In 1997, I began ElderCare Online as a part-time experiment to meld my interest in elder caregiving with my experience in computers and the Internet. Two years later, I am preparing to leave my full-time job as a technology consultant to devote all of my energies to this "experiment."

I promise that in the coming months I will be working even harder to bring you the most useful information, the most practical educational modules and the most supportive online community. I will prepare a special mid-month holiday issue for you.

Wish me luck as I begin this great adventure.

Kind Regards,
Rich O’Boyle
ElderCare Online

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Participating in Clinical Trials
Two New Skill Builders Added
Newsletter Sponsor – webofcare.com
Subscription Information

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PARTICIPATING IN CLINICAL TRAILS

Christine Weber, M.A. and Mary Sano, Ph.D. of the Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center at Columbia University have written an informative and practical article that all caregivers to a person with Alzheimer’s Disease should read. They address the issues that you need to know when considering whether to participate in clinical trials.

Clinical trials evaluate treatments to determine if they can improve, delay or prevent a disease or a symptom. Many clinical trials are being conducted to find treatments and preventions for Alzheimer’s Disease and for memory loss among older people. Clinical trials are conducted with new drugs that have been discovered in the laboratory or in nature and with known drugs to see if they can help a new disease or symptom. Participating in clinical trials offers many opportunities to learn more about treatments and disease. However, it is important to have a good understanding of the risks and benefits of any study when making a decision to participate.

TWO NEW SKILL BUILDERS ADDED

We are gradually enhancing the educational components of the website to bring you more practical guides on how to care for your loved one at home. This month we have two new guides: how to prevent pressure sores and how to treat them once they have formed. These Skill Builders should be used as additions to the care instructions provided by your elder’s medical professional team. Please let us know of other topics that you need information on. If there are experienced caregivers or nurses in the audience, we would love to have your expert advice.

NEWSLETTER SPONSOR – WEBOFCARE.COM

Connect Online with Other Caregivers

http://www.webofcare.com

Web of Care is a new virtual community for people caring for a family
member with a chronic illness at home. If you are caring for a parent
or spouse with Alzheimer's, ALS, Parkinson's, cancer, heart disease or
any other chronic illness, look to Web of Care for information, support
and supplies.

Although the site has hundreds of articles written or reviewed by
doctors, and hundreds of animated demonstrations that teach basic tasks,
the most popular and exciting features of the site are those where
caregivers can interact with other caregivers, and with medical experts.

In chat rooms, you can chat informally with others in situations similar
to yours, or participate in scheduled chat events hosted by experts.
Discussion boards provide opportunities to post a question or comment
and return later for responses from other caregivers. The Ask an Expert
service, which is free to members, means you ask any medical question
and get an prompt e-mail reply from a doctor. (Membership at Web of Care
is also free.)

UPCOMING LIVE CHATS

- Palliative Care for AIDS Patients: December 2, 9:00 pm Eastern
Host: Dr. Sol Stern

- Preventing Caregiver Burnout: December 7, 9:00 pm Easter
Host: Dr. James Sherman

JOIN TODAY -- GET A FREE CAREGIVING BOOK!
Become a registered member of our community before November 30, and
receive a free copy of
Dr. James Sherman's helpful, easy-to-read guide "Preventing Caregiving
Burnout". Membership
is free!

Visit Web of Care at http://www.webofcare.com

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

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