A Letter of Competency
In my estimation, there is no other disease that can tear a family apart faster than Alzheimer’s. The reason for this may be due to the need of extensive care necessary to keep the loved one both safe and calm. … Continue reading
Are you part of the Sandwich Generation?
My latest series of speaking events has afforded me the opportunity to hear, once again, the many voices of diverse caregivers. Their honest, heartfelt conversations concerning current trials and hardships are very moving. I was surprised, however, when I realized … Continue reading
How a Gait Belt Can Help Caregivers
I’ve had this idea brewing in the back of my mind for the last couple of years; or maybe I should call it a “wish.” I “wish” to get a few physical therapists to donate an hour of their time to … Continue reading
Having to Say Goodbye Twice
It doesn’t necessarily take a major crisis, such as the death of a loved one, to set in motion the process of grieving. I have known many caregivers that were hurled into a state of grieving due to the hardships … Continue reading
Once a caregiver, always a caregiver
Throughout our lives we have scores of opportunities to learn valuable lessons; if we pay attention, that is. Today I would like to share with you something I learned “after the loss.” It is that once the human heart takes … Continue reading
The importance of keeping a caregiver journal
It is my opinion that there are many important reasons why caregivers should keep a daily, or at least, weekly journal. First and foremost, if something should ever happen to them, that journal could then act as a how-to-manual for … Continue reading
The Time Traveling Alzheimer’s Patient
Have you ever wished you could travel back in time? I’m sure that most of us have dreamt of this at some time or another. Well, I can’t tell you how many times my father would ask me if he … Continue reading
The Sacrifices of Caregiving
If life has taken you in the direction of becoming a full time caregiver for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementia related diseases, be prepared to face many hardships unlike anything you have encountered before. Sadly, not everyone who … Continue reading
Aim for the same in bathing routine
For many years I’ve been writing about the importance of upholding a routine while caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. This is especially true when it comes to bath time. Even repeatedly using the same bathing products … Continue reading
The Perfect Caregiver
High on my list of “definitive statements” is this; there is no such thing as a perfect caregiver. I challenge anyone to compile a right or wrong manual on this subject. The simple fact that we are all flawed human … Continue reading
