I hate when an elderly person is abused, especially by his or her own family member(s). I’ve seen greedy adult children wanting their remaining parent to die so they can inherit the money rather than giving them loving and healthful care. Recently, a man in his 90s had a brain aneurysm. Although he lives alone, […]
By this time in my life I’ve made several resolutions. Some I’ve kept for a few months. Others lasted longer. These resolutions were made in the years that my life was rather even; No real problems. The resolutions ranged to giving up cigarettes to being kinder or more compassionate. Have you ever noticed that when […]
So often we wrack our brains to bring out the creative side of our loved ones who have dementia. You’ll want to do something that is relatively quick and easy. Yet you’ll want the end-product to look fantastic. Have I got a project for you…tie dyeing. A few weeks ago, an artist friend of mine, […]
My Aunt, who was a prominent dress designer in New York City, suffered and died from Alzheimer’s disease. She was such a delight in her younger years. However, because her schedule was so challenging, she often ate the wrong types of foods… lots of high cholesterol and fatty foods, which caused atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a […]
It is with pleasure that I’d like to give you a progress report on Memory Café. It started in July of this year with 4 participants. It then moved up to 12 members. Now going into November there are 19 members. Memory Café meets once a month on the first Monday of each month, usually […]
The addictions that come because of unresolved problems, unhappiness or stress is a topic we seldom think about and rarely talk about. My friend Mary Ann was caught up in an addiction because of taking care of two loved ones at one time. She felt like she had no life, she felt isolated and depressed, […]
Have you ever wondered what life is like for your loved one with dementia? He or she gets confused, can’t remember what was served for any meal right after eating; or as the dementia worsens, he or she doesn’t Know your relationship, but does know he or she loves you. Their dependency on you grows […]
I did not grow up in a religious family. We believed in God but did not attend church. In adulthood I had the privilege to care for members of my family in their senior years. Caring for Dad was the longest. It was six years. I did not feel God’s presence and there were times […]
Being in Hospice feels like they’ve lost the battle. They’d rather be in denial. This feeling of denial often keeps people from getting the best care possible, when they need it So many of my clients have fought bringing in Hospice for their care. Why? They are fighters. most. Hospice is high-quality care that focuses on […]
Sometimes it may appear that your loved one has a form of dementia. However, other problems may be the cause of their dementia-like symptoms. One of my clients went to the hospital with kidney problems due to dehydration. She also had congestive heart failure and suffered from depression. For months she had not been taking […]