The Better to Hear You WithWe know the story of the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood. "What big ears you have," said Little Red Riding Hood to the wolf in disguise! "The... By Kathy Matheny3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Tips and Strategies to Help the Medicine Go DownOne of my favorite childhood movies is Mary Poppins. As a child, I enjoyed singing Mary's song, "A spoonful of Sugar" (helps the medicine go down). While Mary's advice can... By Nancy Craker-Yahman5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How I Use Television to Engage My Loved OneFor most of her adult life, television has been my loved one’s main source of entertainment. Whether it was soap operas, crime dramas, sports, or Johnny Carson, that little box... By Scott Matheny3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 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 laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What to Look For In A Dementia-Friendly Senior HomeWhen looking for a senior home for your loved one, especially one who lives with dementia, it can be tempting to judge the book by its cover. Some senior homes... By Kelsey Ramos-Conroy4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
All in the Family: Moving Mom Into Our HomePeople wonder what it is like having their loved one with dementia live with them and how it will impact the family, especially the kids. My mom has been living... By Kathy Matheny3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Caregiving and Sharing ThanksLike many, I've always gravitated toward helping others and providing guidance. So it was no surprise that I became a teacher. I'm proud of the positive role models I've had... By Nancy Craker-Yahman4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What Kind of a Person Am I Becoming?"Look at the squirrels." And with that the discussion began. My loved one was able to describe what she was seeing in our backyard. She was seeing squirrels. I looked... By Scott Matheny2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Practicing Compassionate Self-Care While Caring for OthersFamily caregivers are unsung heroes who devote their time and energy to care for their loved ones. Whether it's an aging grandparent, parent, or spouse, caregiving can be a challenging... By Nikki Nurse2 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
Telling My Love Story Before It FadesMy story begins in 2003 when teaching as a professor of disability studies at our local teaching hospital, I woke up one February morning with my left eye completely dilated... By CareMDay3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Role Deprivation as an Alzheimer's CaregiverI have been an Alzheimer's caregiver for my mom in our home for over a decade, so my life looks very different today than I ever could have imagined. At... By Kathy Matheny3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Picking Your Battles as a Dementia CaregiverI’ve cared for my mom who lives with dementia full-time for about 4 years, and I learn something new every day. I’ve learned that I can let go of certain... By Kelsey Ramos-Conroy3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Creatively Connecting with an Alzheimer's PatientSometimes I look into her eyes and wonder what she is thinking. I ask and get one-word answers or worse yet, something I don't understand at all. I wonder if... By Scott Matheny2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
When You Can’t Find the WordsI thought I made up a word. My husband asked how it was going and why I brought scissors into the bathroom when I was helping my mom on the... By Kathy Matheny2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 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
Tips For Caregivers: How To Successfully Plan For More Self-Care MomentsAs caregivers, we often put the needs of others before our own. While this is certainly admirable, it can also lead to burnout. When we're feeling overwhelmed and stressed, it's... By Nikki Nurse2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
When it's Time to Take the Car Keys AwayThe day we took Dad's car keys away is forever etched in my mind. It was not an easy family decision, but we knew we had to make it. Over... By Nancy Craker-Yahman5 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Supporting My Wife Emotionally in Our CaregivingCaregiving is really taxing. It is challenging financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Nothing really prepared me to be a caregiver. I have felt even less equipped to support my wife... By Scott Matheny2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Caregivers Helping CaregiversCaregiving for a loved one with dementia can be lonely and isolating. When I started full-time caring for my mom with Alzheimer's, I found that even my family members struggled... By Kelsey Ramos-Conroy3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments