Almost twenty years ago, I finished writing “Where’s my shoes?” My Father’s Walk through Alzheimer’s . It was released in hardcover in 1999. My father observed: This Alzheimer’s must be an important subject to have such a big book about it! I had already written four books and this was the most difficult. It was [...]
Recently a very articulate, very independent older friend of mine did some rehabilitation time in an assisted living home (probably the best one in town, and we know all of them), and though younger than she, I have always had a Nancy Drew kind of brain, and so I impertinently asked Marge, “What was it [...]
I remember hearing the doctor say to my husband, “You’ve got cancer,” and immediately wondered if I had misheard those words. Cancer diagnoses can result in many emotions for caregivers. You may struggle for another breath, cry and begin to mourn for the life you had before cancer entered your lives. You may not be [...]
Lisa Genova, neuroscientist and author of Still Alice, gave a TED talk early last year in Vancouver. Her remarks began with: Let’s project out into the future, to your future “yous,” and let’s imagine that we’re all 85. Now, everyone look at [the person beside you]. One of you probably has Alzheimer’s disease. [Laughter] Alright… [...]
Starting Oct. 18, the VA will review not just current assets, but records from the previous three years when deciding a veteran’s asset-based eligibility for VA Pension benefits -- commonly called Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefits. However, transfers of assets completed before Oct. 18 will not be counted against veterans or their surviving spouses. A&A [...]
Life after retirement is great. You have so much more time at your disposal than you ever did during all your working years. All that stuff you wanted to do but never had the energy for after a long day of work is finally within reach. The obvious downside is, of course, that you won’t [...]
This collection of curated article excerpts includes insights about depression and its evil twin, acedia; the CHANGE Act; the herpes virus and Alzheimer’s revisited; the good-bad leukotriene; and too many interests. Jack of all trades, Master of None? NOT! Read about polymaths and the seven advantages to being one. How can polymaths accelerate progress in [...]
In the U.S. today there are more than one million people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. PD is a progressive movement disorder that affects the central nervous system. Its causes are unknown, and while physicians can manage some symptoms of the disease, there is no known cure. Primarily individuals [...]
“I know that my mom is still here today because we have been able to help her get the round-the-clock care she needs and live in the comfort of her home.” – Robert L., caregiver As a frequent panelist at Fearless Caregiver Conferences, we have lively and sometimes emotional conversations with our audience who has [...]
If you’re not someone who stretches every day, maybe it’s time to change your ways. “The older we get the more likely we are to be tight and have our muscles pull onto our skeletal structure and throw us out of whack,” says fitness trainer Joel Harper, author of the newly released book Mind Your [...]
If you’ve ever had chickenpox, you may be at risk for a painful disease called shingles as you grow older. Shingles is a sometimes-agonizing skin rash and nerve disease that’s caused by a virus. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent shingles or ease its serious effects. Shingles usually affects adults after age 50, although [...]
MONDAY, July 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Many older Americans with dementia don't know they have the disease, a new study indicates. A review of data from 585 Medicare recipients with probable dementia found nearly 6 out of 10 were either undiagnosed or unaware of their diagnosis. Those who had less than a high school [...]
Twenty-two years ago, I devoured anything I could learn about the brain. I tried to understand what was happening to my father’s mind / brain as he lived with Alzheimer’s. I remain fascinated by the brain. We’re learning so much about the computer in our head – far more than my initial ill-fated introduction to [...]
I don’t fight fires or cure the sick. I’ve never scaled a mountain or scored a winning touchdown. In many ways, my time on this earth is spent living an average life. But everyday, in little ways, I get to be somebody’s hero and the feeling is like no other. For you see, I am [...]
I enjoy hiking above the 10,000-foot level where the colors are vivid and the air is crystal clear. To see these beautiful sights in the Sierras means hiking 13, 16, and even 20+ miles roundtrip in a 10 to 14-hour day. I’ve learned there are similarities between caregiving and backpacking. Don’t take on more than [...]
She raised her hands, exasperated. “They don’t have my yogurt!”“Is there some other brand you could eat?” I prompted.“I can’t get back here to the store. I’ve got a sitter taking care of my husband who is crazy! Crazy! You don’t know,” She shook her head as if clearing visions that she wanted to forget. [...]
If you’re the caregiver for an individual who uses a wheelchair, owning a wheelchair accessible van is helpful and can be more affordable with these tips. Family Caregiver As the caregiver for a family member, you can choose a wheelchair van based on the needs of the person in your care. Wheelchair vans come with [...]
As a growing number of the estimated 78 million Baby Boomers transition into their senior years, an increased focus is placed on the health of this important group of Americans. According to the United States Census Bureau, more than 12 percent of the total U.S. population is over age 65 and, of that segment, more [...]
The varieties of situations caregivers deal with on a yearly basis often include one or more experiences with medical equipment brought into the home. Medical supply companies deal in everything from oxygen to diabetic supplies, depending on the company. While caregivers breathe a sigh of relief when the medical supplies are first delivered, prolonged exposure [...]
It’s a conversation no family wants to have, but one that is vitally important – talking to a loved one about memory loss or cognitive decline. Guest article by the Alzheimer’s Association Mary Foss of Eagan, Minnesota, said she knew it was time to broach this sensitive topic with her husband, Darrell after she noticed [...]
