Articles by Debbie Selsavage
Lyme is a bacterial disease carried by ticks, transmitted to people through infected blood. With the arrival of summer, we always see more in the news about Lyme disease. Recently, …
Grief is a natural response to a loss of any kind. Most commonly, people associate grief with the death of a loved one. But we can experience grief at many …
Since my husband Albert died of dementia in 2010, we have seen remarkable changes in how our society understands and responds to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a term that describes a wide range of symptoms caused by a number of diseases. The most common cause of dementia is …
Continue reading “When a person begins to lose their memory, can we retrain their brain?”
Caring for a loved one with dementia is more art than science. What works one day does not the next. There are some basic rules of engagement, but most of …
It is a common belief that individuals living with dementia are, or will become delusional. Delusions are beliefs that are contradicted by reality or rational argument, and they are often …
As January arrives, we often think of what we might do differently in the coming year, and sometimes we make resolutions, hoping for better results. Caregivers for loved ones living …
Continue reading “Resolving to become a less-stressed caregiver!”
Daily, we are surrounded by danger. There is that throw rug with the corner turned up; that low foot stool or extension cord we might trip over. How about those …
Continue reading “Danger from the “dementia persons” perspective”
With the holidays come large gatherings with lots of activities. For a person living with Alzheimer’s Disease, stress levels will soar with increased anxiety and life is no longer“normal.” This …
Continue reading “Managing holiday or large gatherings for a loved one with dementia”
My primary training is in The Positive Approach to Care, developed by Teepa Snow. Teepa’s slogan is, “Until there’s a cure, there’s care.” This trips nicely off the tongue and …
Continue reading “Until there’s a cure . . .There is only Care!”