Begin the day with a thankful heart. It sounds trite and almost impossible if you are caring for a loved-one with Alzheimer’s /dementia. We see this saying on signs, refrigerator magnets and almost everywhere these days. Gratitude is a crucial key to keeping a caregiver’s life in balance. In fact, numerous studies have shown a…
In the beginning, caring for a loved one with dementia is seemingly a good idea and the right thing to do. It is certainly something we think we can handle on our own. Caregivers are devoted and determined. Our life is now different than before this disease, but we adjust. Even when we don’t really…
While caregivers all have good intentions, we sometimes find ourselves listening only half-heartedly. All too often we’re doing a hundred other things, or our mind is elsewhere when we should be actively listening. We hear what a loved one is saying but are not consciously listening with the purpose of understanding. Be authentically interested. Actively…
When someone has never been to a caregiver’s support group meeting, the notion of attending can be a bit daunting. The misconception and thought of having to bare your soul and shortcomings in a room filled with strangers is not something that anyone in their right mind would look forward to doing. But the reality…
Caregiver Corner by Pam Johnson In the world of dementia, there is always a dilemma when it comes to telling lies vs being honest. Is it ever okay to tell a lie? Is honesty really the best policy when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia? These might seem to be easy questions but not…
Caregiver’s Corner by Pam Johnson Who has not experienced the power of music and marveled at its ability to bring joy, ease pain and elevate our mood. Often when we hear a song, it is so much more than words and lyrics. It becomes the link to one of our special memories of a wonderful…
Mindfulness and meditation are two effective techniques for reducing stress associated with caring for a loved-one with dementia. Although each of these are shown to be effective stress-reducing activities, UCLA researchers found even greater health benefits to caregivers when these two skills are combined. Various studies indicate that practicing mindful meditation improves both emotional and…
Well…how much does a feather weigh? If you were to hold a feather in your hand, it might seem insubstantial. It shouldn’t be difficult to hold it in your hand, palm up, and arm extended for several minutes. But, what if you continued to cradle it in your hand, unsupported, for an hour or a…
Can you have dementia and not have Alzheimer’s? The answer is “Yes.” Although Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form, there are other types of dementia, too. Lewy Body Dementia, Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI), Frontotemporal Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia are all types of irreversible dementias. Dementia is used to describe a group of…
Using the principles of DIRM can greatly minimize or even prevent many of the upsets and frustrations that caregiver’s encounter each and every day. Very simply, DIRM is an acronym for “Does It Really Matter?” And, if one takes the time to ask this essential question, before reacting or responding, they find the answer is…