Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/31341
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 – Daily News – 5A Homeowner’s hoarding a hurdle Trial doesn’t help Alzheimer’s patient Dear Annie: I live in a small con- dominium commu- nity of 24 units. Two units down, there is an older woman who is a hoarder. She con- tinually has trash piled up by her front door and back porch. When you look through her glass sliding doors, you can see trash from floor to ceiling. She piles up garbage on her car, and it sits there for several days before she takes it to the dumpster. She also has two dogs, and we never see her walking them. This has been going on for the past 15 years. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar The board of directors of our condo association has tried everything from call- ing the county municipal department to notifying ani- mal control. The board has fined her for various misde- meanors, such as not allow- ing pest control in her unit and leaving all that trash around, but it makes no dif- ference. The woman does not talk to anyone in the community, and we never see friends or family visit. We are all afraid of what that unit looks like inside. Any sug- gestions? — Condo Owner Dear Owner: Hoarding is a form of mental illness, and this woman likely needs professional help. Since you can see the trash inside her home, as well as outside, it may constitute evi- dence that her hoarding has creat- ed a health code violation and the Dept. of Health could order her to clean it up. There may also be a fire hazard, in which case the condo- minium board should notify the fire department. As a last resort, the condo board could sue her. Ask the board to discuss this problem with their associa- tion attorney to see what steps can be taken. Dear Annie: My wife and I are friends with ‘‘Mike’’ and ‘‘Marty,’’ who are in their early 20s, a bit younger than we are. Mike and Marty pick fights over the most ridiculous things, and even if you make a good point, they won’t agree. They do things they know will bother or offend us, such as when they make anti-religious comments. They also seem unappre- ciative of things we have done for them. I helped Mike work on his car and was never thanked for it. We have had them over for din- ner more than once and have yet to be told ‘‘thank you’’ or to receive an invite to their place. They some- times say nice things on Facebook about their other friends, but never about us. I honestly enjoy hanging out with Mike and Marty, but the little fits they have over ridiculous things are getting old. Lately, we’ve stopped communicating, just to see what will happen. It would be nice to be appre- ciated for our efforts. How do we handle this? — Unappreciated in Massa- chusetts Dear Massachusetts: You are at a different point in your life than Mike and Marty. What you have in common is no longer so obvious. We are not sure why you wish to maintain a friendship with people who do not seem to appreciate you, but since you do, try to understand their limitations and accept them as they are. And if they say something offensive, by all means, ask them to stop. Dear Annie: You printed a letter I wrote that I signed, ‘‘Still Here Doing This.’’ I told you that I was married to a mentally ill, emotional- ly abusive man. I stayed for the children, who now rarely visit. I wanted to let you know that I am not ‘‘still here’’ anymore. I finally mustered the courage to leave when it was apparent that my husband was only getting worse. I had the police remove him from our home, took out a restrain- ing order and filed for divorce. I encourage any- one who is married to such a person to get out. I have no regrets. The emotional and physical abuse needed to end. — Not There Any- more FEATURES DEAR DR. GOTT: My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia about five years ago. The current drugs being pre- scribed are galantamine, Namen- da and citalopram. Other than Alzheimer’s, her overall health is good. Shortly after being diagnosed, she placed in her age class at the Bloomsday road race. We were both runners. Anyway, her height is 5 feet 5 inches, her weight is 115 pounds, and her blood pressure is normal. Dr. Peter Gott Is there any other possible course of treatment? We have been to specialists and more. We did participate in the failed dimebon trial. DEAR READER: The dimebon trial you refer to did fail. An old Russian anti- histamine remedy developed for hay fever and known as dimebon was one of the world’s most promising hopes for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. While origi- nally providing good results in a small trial, a newer one involving a greater number of patients with mild to moder- ate symptoms failed to show progress after six months for the treatment of cog- nitive decline, nor did it help the behav- ioral problems associated with the dis- ease when compared with a placebo. As you can well imagine, the outcome was unexpected and tragic for individuals such as yourself and your wife, as well as for Pfizer, who had been paying for 60 percent of the development costs. Alzheimer’s is an irreversible and pro- gressive brain disease that destroys memory and thinking. It is estimated that more than 5 million Americans may have the disease, so you can understand why so much hope was placed in the dimebon. Brain damage for this disorder can begin 10 to 20 years before any symp- toms are present. Tangles develop and plaque forms in certain areas of the brain. As this occurs, healthy neurons work less efficiently before they lose their ability to function properly. By the time Alzheimer’s reaches its final stage, damage is widespread and brain tissue has significantly atrophied. There are four FDA medica- tions approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. In no particular order and for a mild to moderate disorder are rivastigmine (Exelon), galantamine (Razadyne) and donepezil (Aricept). The heavy hitter for advanced cases is memantine (Namen- da). All four regulate the chemicals that transmit messages between neurons within the brain. Their purpose is to help memory and speech and assist with behavioral problems. The big issue is that they don’t modify the underlying disease process, nor do results last more than a few years. While it’s not what you really want to hear and I wish I could be more helpful, research has been phenomenal over the past few years and important advances have been made. Scientists and physi- cians are working together for a better understanding of the disease. Every effort brings us a step closer to the time when we will be able to better manage this horrible condition. While the last trial was a failure, perhaps another one is on the horizon that might make all the difference in the world for you. I suggest you contact the Alzheimer’s Disease Education Center at (800) 438-4380 or online at www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com. Miniature golf fundraiser to support pastors dinner The Pastor Apprecia- tion Committee (PAC), a group comprised of sever- al individuals from local churches, is making plans for the second Annual Pastor Appreciation Din- ner in October to honor pastors of Tehama Coun- ty. The public is invited to Golfing for God, a mini golf fundraising event this weekend, May 14 and 15, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Lariat Bowl of Red Bluff. Golfing is $5 for golfers up to 11 years, and $6 for 12 years and above. Live music is planned for the two days. Lariat Bowl will make a dona- tion to Pastor Apprecia- tion Committee toward the complimentary dinner for pastors. “Last year, it was our privilege to prepare a spe- cial dinner for the 85 guests attending, who are involved in pastoral min- istry in Tehama County,” said committee member James Nelson. “The 2010 Pastor Appreciation Din- ner, hosted by the Nueva Vida Church, was made possible by donations from individuals, as well as gifts prizes from many local businesses. We are doing things different this year, through a fundraising event that offers fun for all ages. To provide an oppor- tunity for the community at large to be involved in honoring area pastors.” Contact Susan McFadyen at Lariat Bowl for information about the Golfing for God fundrais- er, or the Pastor Apprecia- tion Committee 527-2720. Courtesy photo Stephen Bermudez, Jay Nelson and Susan McFadyen, of the Pastor Appreciation Committee, size up the course at Lariat Bowl Miniature Golf Greens in anticipation of Golfing for God, a mini golf fundraiser 1- 5 p.m. May 14-15 at 365 Main St. Red Bluff. The committee is raising money to present the 2nd Annual Appreciation Dinner for pastors of Tehama County in October. • Everyday Cheapskate •Savage Truth on Money • Gleaners The Daily News At your side when times are tough Salon Bella Dona Full Service Salon 3 per foil or Nicole Richardson May Highlight Special $ $ 60 for full highlights Call for appt. 527-4843 (exp. May 31, 2011) The World Famous Palomino Room 1/2 off Lunch or Dinner entrée with purchase of 1 entrée must present coupon *equal or lesser value Lunch: Tues-Fri 11am-2pm Dinner: Thurs-Sat 4pm-9pm 723 Main St., Red Bluff 527-5470 www.palominoroom.com