Alzheimer's Caregiver Expectations vs the Emotional RealityI know what you're thinking. You imagine the days as a full-time caregiver for your loved one with dementia (LOWD) are all utterly awesome and dotted with cozy day-to-day interactions...reactionscomments
As the Caregiver Moves OnDad passed away from Alzheimer's disease in 2018. Saying it was a horrible time is an understatement. Time has healed some of dad's passing. As his children, we have moved...reactions2comments
Do You Have a Bucket List?I always used to have a "mental" bucket list which meant that I never wrote it down. A friend once told me that if you couldn't see it, you couldn't...reactions1comment
Utilizing Music with Alzheimer's: the Strongest Kind of MagicOnce upon a time; in a faraway land, there was a millennial caregiver who lived happily in her kingdom with her mother who had early-onset Alzheimer's. Thus, as time went...reactions15comments
Can Alzheimer's Disease Be Prevented?As you age, your body changes. You may notice changes to your hair and face. Aches and pains might appear more often. Along with these physical effects, aging also can...reactions2comments
Traveling with Alzheimer'sTraveling with a loved one with Alzheimer's can be frustrating for everyone. Planning is key in helping to make trips tolerable. Pack your patience. Keep in mind that you are...reactions9comments
The Secret Sauce of Caregiving: 5 Tips You Can Use TodayLet's set the record straight, shall we? Caregiving life isn't butterflies and rainbows all the time. There, I said it! Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful to be...reactionscomments
My Name is Amy But I Identify as an Incidental CaregiverAs a professional in the field of Alzheimer's and related dementia disorders for over 30 years, of course, I am very familiar with all types of caregivers. I mean, after...reactions1comment
When It's Time to Sell Your Loved One's HomeA typical day for me right now looks like this: shuttle the kids around and try to enjoy the last days before school starts. Clean up endless snacks and toys...reactionscomments
Benefits of Using Stuffed AnimalsWhen I was growing up, I remember my mom and dad would buy me stuffed animals. I would love on them, care for them, and just cuddle with them. They...reactions1comment
Encouragement for the Weary CaregiverI like the way Olympic marathoner Joan Benoit Samuelson refers to two big parts of her life. B.C. and A.D.: before children and after diapers. It captures the feeling of...reactionscomments
Ambiguous Loss and Alzheimer’s DiseaseThere are more than 5 million adults in the United States living with Alzheimer's disease. Alongside them are 15 million family members and friends helping them as caretakers. Caregiving may...reactionscomments
Hiring Professional Alzheimer's Care and Managing Caregiver GuiltAfter being my mom's part-time caregiver for a few years, I was near the point of having a nervous breakdown. I decided that for my own mental health, I could...reactionscomments
Living with Alzheimer's: Sensory OverloadI tell my friends that I celebrate what I can do and mourn the things I can no longer do living with Alzheimer's. But I fight like crazy not to...reactions2comments
Knowing Better, Doing BetterI'm just gonna come out and say it: I am far from being the perfect caregiver. I make mistakes and fall short all the time but guess what? It is...reactionscomments
Reading, Writing and 'RithmeticWhen I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's I was the director of a two-thousand-seat performing arts center. That job entailed a lot of hours and carried a lot of stress with it...reactionscomments
The Need to Feel Needed: Generativity and Alzheimer'sPsychologists have found that when we help others or reflect on ways we have helped others, we have better psychological well-being, higher self-esteem, better physical health, and even live longer...reactionscomments
A Caregiver's Love and GuiltHave you ever found yourself wishing for your loved one's death? Maybe not specifically for their death, but for an end to their suffering? I am not ashamed to admit...reactions2comments
ADLs, IADLs: Understanding Long-Term Services and SupportsTo ensure that every person receives the care they need, doctors and governing bodies have created standardized scales and surveys to assess patient health. These measurements can tell healthcare professionals...reactions2comments
The Surprising Gift of Raising Kids While CaregivingWhen I was a kid, I pictured my future 34-year-old self as taller and hopefully more confident, working my dream job, and, to put it simply - dazzling the world...reactionscomments