7 Things I Did the First Year of Being a Caregiver to My MomWhen I was first told my mom had dementia, I was scared. All of the information I found online was so negative and, frankly, just depressing. I didn't know what...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Nitty Gritty, Down and DirtyMy mom has been living with us for almost 10 years - it's hard to believe as I write this. Where does the time go? My dad died in November...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Alzheimer’s Book Club: BittersweetThis one snuck up on me. I did not read Bittersweet by Susan Cain with the intention of writing this post. It was a connection I discovered while devouring this...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Strained Sibling Relationships When a Parent Has Alzheimer'sSince my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2010, I have met many other adult children who have a parent with the disease. Those who are only children often express...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How To Free Your Mind of Worry When Your Loved One Has Alzheimer'sThere were many times when my mom was living with Alzheimer's that I would find myself in a never-ending spiral of worry. I would start thinking about how things might...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Coping With Progressing Alzheimer's SymptomsPatience is vital when dealing with a loved one's progressing symptoms of Alzheimer's. Here are some tips on how you can practice patience while still being kind and understanding. Doing...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What in the World is She Thinking?!My mom has been living with her diagnoses of dementia and probable Alzheimer's Disease for a few years now. I have become more acutely aware, even hyper-aware, of changes in...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Alzheimer's Disease: What We Can't SeeWould you call Alzheimer's disease a mental or physical disorder? If you had to choose a descriptor, which one would you choose? All too often, those with mental illness are...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Today is a Good DayA couple of months ago, I was not shocked when I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I had known something was not right for quite a while. Little things like paying...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
The Time Traveler's Daughter"It's your turn tonight," my son says to my mother. She gently smiles and immediately closes her eyes as we all clasp hands in patient anticipation. Praying before dinner has...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
When Dementia Affects DrivingI have always personally equated my driving privilege with my independence. Quite honestly, many of you reading this may also feel the same way. Driving in some locations is a...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Play Ball! And Have a ChatI enjoy watching sports... Socially. I can't tell you too many stats or facts about the teams I watch; unless it's the 41-33 score of Super Bowl 52 (go, Birds!)...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Coping with the Fear of Getting Alzheimer's Myself SomedayHas this ever happened to you? You're in the middle of a conversation with someone when you suddenly forget what you were about to say. You start searching for the...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
How to Take Care of Your Mental Health Every DayEveryone knows the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle by eating right, exercising regularly, and saving for the future. What many people don't realize, however, is that mental health is...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Advocating at the Doctor’s OfficeMy mom is in the early stages of dementia but she has been accompanied by family members at doctor appointments for the past five years. The fast pace of medical...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Deep Breath: Just Make the AskAsking people for money is hard. It's rarely something that you want to do. And it's even harder when you don't have a tangible thing to hand people after the...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Dementia is NOT a Dirty WordDementia is not a dirty word, but there sure is a lot of stigma around it! Too often, the stigma around dementia prevents people from speaking openly about the challenges...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Managing Expectations of Yourself When Your Loved One Has Alzheimer'sDo you ever find yourself beating yourself up for not being able to accomplish as much as you did before your loved one was diagnosed with Alzheimer's? Do you ever...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Hi, I'm A Millennial CaregiverI recently attended a local caregiver conference and had my three-year-old son in tow. As I looked around the room, I felt camaraderie and separation from the people around me...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Your Grief Does Not Mean You're Not GratefulHave you ever felt sad about what you have lost to Alzheimer's and then immediately felt guilty for not being grateful for what you still have? When my mom was...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments