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. [...]
The Alzheimer’s Association offers tips to help families reduce tensions and stress. Guest article by Monica Moreno Monica Moreno, Senior Director Care and Support at the Alzheimer's Association Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is never easy. It is life-changing for the person receiving the diagnosis and for family members. The disease may take a devastating toll [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Gotta love the human spirit that refuses to be beaten! After a misdiagnosis of epilepsy, Australian-based Mick Carmody writes, “I was diagnosed with a common form of dementia in people who are under the age of 65 called – fronto-temporal lobe dementia or FTD.” Mick Carmody surrounded by his family. L-R: son-in-law, daughter, wife, son, [...]
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 [...]
Carole Mulliken provides this month’s review of the book, The Inheritance for The Caregiver’s Voice REVIEW. If you are a caregiver for a person with Alzheimer’s, you know that caregiving can be a 24/7 in-your-face challenge. Sometimes, it lasts for decades. The Inheritance is a sweeping saga of the ill-fated Galen and Gail DeMoe family. [...]
What do you mean? Recently, I viewed a video excerpt of a former caregiver claiming that despite being comfortable with both online and offline research, she couldn’t find any information for caregivers. Really? Nothing? The Caregiver’s Voice REVIEW receives books with similar remarks in the introduction: I wrote this book because there is no information [...]
