Assisting With CommunicationI am a highly functional person living with Alzheimer's disease. If you are around me for a short period of time, you probably wouldn't know I have it. I am... By Kris Bakowski3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Traveling Alone With Alzheimer'sIt's that time of year when people will be traveling for vacations with family and friends. As a person with Alzheimer's traveling has become tricky. If you are in the... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
5 Tips for Traveling with Someone who has Alzheimer'sAs someone living with Alzheimer's, I can tell you that traveling with the condition can be hard, especially depending on the stage. Families often ask me for advice and suggestions... By Kris Bakowski3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Sounds of SilenceRecently one of my friends told me I had gone "radio silent," meaning she hadn’t heard from me in a while. She was right. When you have Alzheimer’s, it is... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Please Meet Me Where I AmMany of us with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis know that this disease changes us. It is inevitable. We fight for it as long as we can, but then those changes in... By Kris Bakowski3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Expressing Myself: Contending With CommunicationI was always known by my friends as having the "gift of gab" – whatever that means. But since my Alzheimer's diagnosis that is certainly not the case. Now, I have... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
How Family and Caregivers Can Help Those Living With Alzheimer'sAfter my Alzheimer's diagnosis, I found it hard to ask for help. I never really had to ask for help before and I didn't want to admit my "failure" to... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
My World With Alzheimer's: A Trip to the Grocery StorePeople ask me what it is like to live with Alzheimer's. My common response is, "I have good days and bad days." So, let's talk about a bad day. I... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Helping Others Help ThemselvesAs we age, we see more of our friends and family struggling with health issues. Unfortunately, many times that is a diagnosis of some type of dementia. Since I was diagnosed... By Kris Bakowski3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
My Experience With ARTZ PhiladelphiaThis week I shared an "Art Experience" through ARTZ Philadelphia in conjunction with the Dementia Society of America. On the last Monday of the month, ARTZ Philadelphia shares works from art... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
See Me - Not My DiseaseAfter I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's many people saw me differently. Immediately different. Five seconds after I told them I had Alzheimer's, they perceived me as different. I always joked... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Medication Experience: Do What Is Right for YouI am sure that many will relate to my story of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. After a very lengthy process of all the "alphabet soup" tests, evaluations, neuro-psychological exams, spinal... By Kris Bakowski3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Driving With Alzheimer's 101: Is It Time to Hand Over the Keys?There are many factors to consider while trying to decide about a loved one with Alzheimer's continuing to drive. Besides the actual mechanics of driving, there are legal issues as... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Driving With Alzheimer's 101I have Alzheimer's, and I still drive. I told my husband when I was diagnosed that if I encountered problems driving, I would tell him. Did I do that? Maybe... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Struggling in an Alzheimer's WorldStruggling seems to be my new favorite word. When you have Alzheimer's, people ask, "How are you doing?" How do you respond? Do they really want to know, or are... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments4 comments
What is Different?When you live with Alzheimer's, you and your family always ask questions. Like, did I take my pills today? Did I eat breakfast? What can I do to help? I... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Living With Alzheimer's: My StoryKris Bakowski was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease at 46 years old. Since her diagnosis, she has been an active advocate for those living with the disease. Kris has written... By Kris Bakowski5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Love LettersDoesn't everyone enjoy getting old fashion snail mail? A real handwritten letter? I know I do. I have always been a letter writer. When we were in elementary school, we... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
This Is Us - This Is MeAs a person living with Alzheimer's disease, I don't watch television much. I have a hard time following the story and remembering things from week to week. But, there are a few... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Grandma Forgets SometimesThis is a phrase our family often uses over the holidays. Our grandchildren are young - ages 2 and 5. Our son and daughter-in-law have wondered when the right time... By Kris Bakowski2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments