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 JOAN’S BLOG – TUES/WED, JANUARY 5/6, 2010 – A POTPOURRI OF INFORMATION AND COMING ATTRACTIONS

I am currently working on a blog about Alzheimer’s Disease and death, prompted by the passing  of a dear friend last week. Although I planned to post it today, I am finding it emotionally difficult to write, so it will be posted within the next few days.

In the meantime, I have a potpourri of information for you, so here we go:

NEW WEBSITE DESIGN – I have been promising this for a long time, but between moving, and then one family crisis after another, I have been preoccupied for quite a few months. I am taking advantage of my son’s unfortunate jobless situation by hiring him to do a lot of website work for me. It is work I could do myself, as he has taught me well, but I do not have endless hours to spend on it, and he does. While he is doing technical work, I can concentrate more on my writing. My goal is to have a site that is not only more streamlined and organized, but affords ease of accessibility to all of its features.

Current Changes:

Search Engine – On the left side of the home page, under the Previous Blogs, there is now a search engine feature. I have been using it myself for a few weeks, and I love it. It makes it much easier for me to search for topics from the archived blogs.

Organization –

• The Previous Blog section is now divided into years and months.
• The left side resource topics are now organized by subject matter – Information about Alzheimer’s Disease; Five different caregiving tip sections; Finding resources; shopping, etc.
• The Message Board link is now at the bottom of the left side resource section. You will need to scroll down to the bottom to see it. - Whoops! That did not work out well. I had so many complaints about it, that it is back on top where it has always been.

Future Changes:

The Articles of Interest Section will be divided into different years and pages. There will be separate pages for various article topics, such as drug treatments, marriage, EOAD, etc. There will also be a separate page just for videos.

We are working to get a search engine for the Article section to make it easier to find what you are looking for.
 
Although I promised this months ago, now that Joel has the time, he will set up the “printer friendly” option for viewing the blogs without the pictures.

EXCITING NEWS AHEAD
Stay tuned for information on when my profile and interview will appear on the Alzheimer’s Association Action Summit Website. It may be as soon as next week. I will be sure to let you know.

Another promise from some time ago – Expert Guest Bloggers – This will be the year for them.

My Book Project is still in the works – there is a legal issue that is holding it up, which will hopefully be solved this month.

IMPORTANT AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION UPDATE

As if traveling with an AD spouse is not difficult enough, there are new security measures to be implemented at all airports. Here are two links that explain them in detail – Cheapfights and AOL.

If you are planning on airport travel with your spouse, please order a wheelchair. It will make your trip through Airport Hell much easier. You will have an attendant guiding you through and assisting with security right up to your gate. Also, DO NOT even consider traveling without obtaining a letter from your spouse’s doctor as explained in my Travel Tips section.

So there you have it – all the latest coming attractions and information so far. There will be more to come. Please bear with us as these changes are occurring. The website may look different on varying days until we get it exactly as I want it.

Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com

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The Alzheimer Spouse LLC
2009 All Rights Reserved