When social distancing began in response to Covid-19, I, and other dementia practitioners, could no longer facilitate support groups for the care partners of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Previously, I had conducted two support groups per month, but these had to be canceled and hastily reorganized as virtual meetings through on-line technology. Continue reading “Covid-19 has changed the conversation”
As a Care-giver-Going to their world
I often hear caregivers express anger, frustration, or sadness that their loved one living with dementia seems to be in another world. They may believe they are living in another time, or different place. They may forget your name or call you by the name of someone else they have known. Continue reading “As a Care-giver-Going to their world”
Using Validation, not Correction
Our natural reaction is to correct a person with dementia when they say something that is wrong. This is what we do with children. We immediately correct them because this is how they learn. Continue reading “Using Validation, not Correction”
Citrus County gets WISE
Last year, the Citrus County Board of Commissioners took action to improve mental health services by retaining LifeStream, an organization that has provided treatment, education, care management, rehabilitation, and homeless services in Central Florida since 1971. Continue reading “Citrus County gets WISE”
Dementia and Firearms Safety
You would be surprised how often I hear from concerned caregivers for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia who have in their home open access to a firearm. Unfortunately, gun ownership is like so many aspects of living with dementia; we often don’t think much about it until we are confronted with a crisis. Continue reading “Dementia and Firearms Safety”
Doula: Spiritual support at end of life
The most undeniable fact of life is that it will end. However, too often families and caregivers go to extraordinary lengths to avoid end-of-life planning until it is too late. I have already written about hospice and bereavement counseling as valuable services to caregivers coping with dementia. Another is Doula. Continue reading “Doula: Spiritual support at end of life”
Beware bogus brain boosters!
According to the American Association of Retired Persons, one in four over the age of 50 takes a brain supplement, despite the fact that they are likely only flushing their money down the drain!
Why would we do this? Continue reading “Beware bogus brain boosters!”
Keeping Our Loved Ones Safe
When we raised children, their safety was first and foremost. Later, when we are caring for a loved one with dementia, we may pay less attention to their safety because they are adults and they have had a lifetime of learning what is safe and what is not. But we must understand that dementia has eroded or erased the memories of what they have learned about being safe. In addition, dementia degrades all of one’s senses and, over time, their physical abilities. Continue reading “Keeping Our Loved Ones Safe”
Can Lyme Disease cause Alzheimer’s?
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, I have heard a lot of speculation about whether Lyme – or tick bites – might be one of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. Continue reading “Can Lyme Disease cause Alzheimer’s?”
The presence and process of grief
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 other times in our lives, and for different kinds of loss, both great and small. Continue reading “The presence and process of grief”