While caring for a loved one with dementia, there are painful moments, which make us wonder if we can go on. For some, within that pain, lies an opportunity for laughter. This is how we survive. Caregiver humor is like that – bittersweet . She Is Much Nicer Than You Are Retired nurse-turned caregiver, Jeanne [...]
Nearly 20 years ago, I delivered a speech in honor of a former caregiver for her husband with Parkinson’s. I titled it, It’s NOT the Thought That Counts . Rodin The Thinker Photo by Crystal Borde The speech was inspired by regret. In 1994, while on a tight schedule in Milwaukee, I decided not to [...]
If we’re to survive, we caregivers must find something to laugh about. We’ll thrive and find joy each day, when we tap our well of caregiver humor. There’s much to laugh about in simple everyday interactions if we stop being so serious about ourselves. I used to visit, José, my caregiver friend Lisa’s husband. He [...]
At Death’s Door brings to life the end of life. Many of us remain unaware of the important issues families face near the end of life. What does a DNR/DNI entail? What are the leading conditions that lead to irreversible decline? Who has the legal right to make decisions regarding our healthcare? What options does [...]
Lyn Purser was born 46 years ago with intellectual disabilities. Born four months premature, she was placed on antibiotics shortly after birth. Five months later, she and her older brother left Italy for America with their parents. At age 14, she experienced a period of seizures that were inadequately controlled with medication. As a result, [...]
Healthcare Lessons from Both Sides of the World While we address healthcare coverage here in the US, there are a few lessons we can learn from two families – one along the eastern side of the U.S. and the other in the southern hemisphere in Sydney Australia. Rebecca and Scott Doig on their wedding day. [...]
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 [...]
There are times when caregivers need to have the straight scoop on poop. Are you able to tell the difference among types of backmatter? Early detection could prevent a loved one with dementia from being back-ended by a more serious matter. After all, who needs the stress of worrying about yet another thing: WHAT is [...]
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 [...]
Almost daily, there’s an article about how poorly prepared we Americans are for retirement. Sure, we may not be the best savers on the planet; but sometimes, our long-term plans take a detour. A loved one is stricken by illness or we’re still drowning with only a fraction of our savings after the last economic [...]
Facebook – Memory aid for Alzheimer’s? Facebook (FB) has a feature that reminds users of their status update from a year or more, ago. The reminder occurs on the anniversary date of when the user added the post. The user has a choice to share the memory as I’ve done below. Imagine how convenient this [...]
John Roche cared for his mother in his home for the last ten years of her life. He admired all she’d been through – strokes, paralysis, and raising three children, mostly alone. He looked forward to caring for her. What he didn’t expect was the toll it would take on him and his mom. Unforeseen [...]
