On Father’s Day, families come together to celebrate multiple generations of beloved fathers in our lives. While we celebrate, we need also to reflect on how these terrible diseases have affected our dads, husbands, or spouses, either as patients or as caregivers.
When my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, our family had the same disparaging realization with which far too many others have been met: he’s going to forget us. As his disease has progressed, however, I have also begun to think about not forgetting him. By this I mean not forgetting who he used to be, the …
What Is My Dad’s Legacy and How Do I Preserve It? Read More »
As we near Mother’s Day, let’s honor all moms, paying special attention to the 13 million women in the US who are living with Alzheimer’s disease either as a patient or a caregiver.
Betty White died only a few weeks from her 100th birthday. The news devastated my now 50-something, former, college roommates and me. We lived together in Pennsylvania when the Golden Girls was a hit TV show in the late 80s.
There are so many practical things that take up caregivers’ time, especially for those taking care of aging parents while still parenting young ones at home. These caregivers have a vast to-do list that includes balancing careers, setting up doctors’ appointments for the whole family, and possibly being the decision maker for the future. As …
Are you gathering with families this holiday season? Maybe it’s been a long time since you’ve seen your parents or relatives in person. If you’ve noticed some changes in your mother or father, or anyone you love, you might have more than just a festive reunion on your mind.
40% of dementia is preventable by altering 12 lifestyle and environmental risk factors according to world-leading dementia experts. These factors include, hearing loss, hypertension and obesity; and smoking, depression, social isolation, physical inactivity. A key ingredient for brain health is your diet.
When someone you love has just received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, it’s likely not a complete surprise to you. You might even be the one who made the appointment for the assessment, after observing symptoms that concerned you.
Seeing the early signs of dementia in someone you love is emotionally overwhelming. You may feel like you’ve come to a turning point in life: everything’s going to be different from now on.
Feelings of inadequacy are an occupational hazard of caregiving. If the person you are caring for is someone you love, like your mother or father, you might feel like you can never do enough. So you pour yourself out. In addition to all the tasks that must be done, you look for opportunities to add …
Avoiding Emotional Exhaustion: Some Counterintuitive Tips for Caregivers Read More »
