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 | Caregiving - A High Risk Job
Monday, November 17, 2008 | During the decade our family cared for our mother, we never discussed the impact of caregiving stress in real terms. We did take some steps to try to protect ourselves from major illnesses, but we probably never imagined . . . Read More
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| | Coping with Frightening Feelings
Thursday, November 06, 2008 | I recently led a seminar on the subject of caregiving to chronically ill persons. Of course because of my experience, Alzheimer’s disease was foremost in my thoughts. I met Clara who openly shared what so many caregivers feel or have felt. . . Read More
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| | When Prompts and Post-its Aren't Enough
Friday, October 24, 2008 | We had waltzed around our parents’ need for help because they both resisted “intruders” in their home. A time usually comes when parents, one or both, must be helped to understand that some kind of help is needed for their survival. “When” is the . . . Read More
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| | A Care Plan Sounds Too Formal?
Friday, August 29, 2008 | The awareness that a family member with Alzheimer’s needs some assistance usually develops gradually. As long as mild memory loss is the main challenge, we can practice some of the common sense memory aids that have been passed along among caregivers. Examples include: post-it notes, lists on the refrigerator, postings inside the closet about what to wear, etc. These are helpful provided the receiver is aware of the problems he faces and is receptive to gentle reminders. But this type of “rescue” will not last forever, and it is important to . . .
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| | Can The Alzheimer's Patient Live Alone?
Monday, August 18, 2008 | Who among us lights up when we think about losing our independence? This word describes a powerful dynamic in the development of human qualities from birth to adulthood. Once established, we adamantly resist giving up any part of our personal independence, even when . . .
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| | What is My Loved One Feeling?
Thursday, July 17, 2008 | A certain answer to this question is that we can’t possibly know. Of course the feelings within the Alzheimer’s patient run the gamut across the wide terrain of denial, fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, confusion and depression to an emotionally barren state of nothingness. What a loved one is feeling depends on . . . Read More
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| | Who is the Caregiver?
Tuesday, July 08, 2008 | Her name was Easter. She had Alzheimer’s disease. She was my younger sister’s roommate in a health care facility; my sister suffered a variety of complications from diabetes and died two years ago. What impressed me about Easter was her family . . .
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| | Keeping Christmas Special
Monday, January 01, 0001 | When I forget,
Please remember
How much I love the changing of the seasons
And holidays, especially the wonder
Of Christmas. . . Read More
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