Each person I’ve interviewed for this Voices with Dementia column surprises me. Before Brian LeBlanc , who also lives with dementia, referred me to Nancy Nelson, he wrote, “We’re all snowflakes.” Well Snowflake Nancy made me smile until my face hurt. Nancy’s life changed when she forgot three words. Her doctor asked her to [...]
Despite how much we’ve learned, people with dementia are still stigmatized. Often, it’s due to not knowing enough about the disease. Other times, it’s people losing patience and jumping to conclusions. Here’s a four-minute video from Singapore that will inspire, slow us down and share a profound message of how life magically comes full circle. [...]
The Caregiver’s Voice Reviews Ann Vanino’s Chrysalis – Transformation from the Inside Out There are two periods in a caregiver’s life when a metamorphosis occurs – the moment we commit to caregiving and the period after. Chrysalis is the name given to the dramatic and total re-creation of a new life – the metamorphosis from [...]
FLORENCE -- Many of the older residents attending Thursday's 44th annual Senior Citizens Appreciation Day on Thursday at the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum said they are worried about money, health care, prescription costs and national security. Nunery is 60, the "youngest" age to participate in the event, sponsored by the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments. Her [...]
Have you ever said, “I’ll never turn into my mom or dad”? Well, guess what? There comes a time – usually in our fifties, when we look in the mirror and… What happened? That’s Mom staring back at me! Or we’re doing something and a grandchild exclaims, “That’s just the way grandpa used to….” Well [...]
Use A Side Gig To Fund Retirement Virtual home assistants and portable diagnostic devices will help provide better elder care and in turn control medical costs. In 2000, about 10% of the world’s population were age 60 or over. By 2015 that had risen to 12%. United Nations projections indicate that will have increased to [...]
Haiyan Zhang and Emma Lawton with the Emma Watch Microsoft has invented a wristband that could help stem the tremors caused by Parkinson's Disease. The Emma Watch sends small vibrations through a wearer's wrist that can stop the shaking experienced by those with the neurological disease. It vibrates with a distinctive pattern that has [...]
ATLANTA - Consumer adviser Clark Howard is speaking out about the mysterious sudden illness that threatened his life. The same disease killed a Gwinnett County man. He and Clark had each taken a powerful antibiotic only days before falling ill. Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Jim Strickland exposed the side effects of the drugs 2 1/2 [...]
The Elder Health Tree: A Resource for Healthy & Happy Aging Guest article by Justin Schein One day, we may find ourselves in the challenging role of caregiver. If life unfolds as expected, we’ll have a supportive community to help us care for our loved one at the end of their rich and full life. [...]
Last year, 15-year old Harry Gardner wrote and performed, Not Alone , a tribute to his grandmother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. When his 77-year old “nan” forgot his name, Harry was distraught. He came home and penned the words to his song, which has raised money for Alzheimer’s Research UK . Open your eyes [...]
