Internet Series “Ruth and Erica” Focuses on Family Dynamics and Alzheimer’s

Internet Series “Ruth and Erica” Focuses on Family Dynamics and Alzheimer’s

“Ruth & Erica” launched this week on the YouTube Internet channel WIGS, which, according to the press release, is now the most popular channel for scripted drama on YouTube. The show portrays the dynamics of a family facing the challenges that often accompany aging and ill health. read more..

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The “Hidden” Costs When We Quit our Jobs to Care for Our Loved Ones

I don’t need a study to tell me that leaving the workforce to become a family caregiver has cost me, financially. All I have to do is look my puny projected Social Security. Over two decades of my adult “productive” years have been spent caring for elders and children while not working at paid employment. read more..

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Caregivers Coping with Criticism from the from the Care Receiver

Each care situation was different. I started with an aged neighbor, then moved on to a childless aunt and uncle, my in-laws and eventually my parents. All of them appreciated me. However they each had moments when, because of their own misery, they’d lash out at me in some way. read more..

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Caregiver

Caregiving: What Would You Do Differently if You Were to Start Over?

As a seasoned caregiver of multiple elders, I can choose to torture myself with my perceived failures at being a perfect caregiver, or I can choose to forgive myself for being imperfect, and recognize that I did the best I could at the time. You have the same choice. read more..

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Medication Reactions-Friends And Family-Dementia Symptoms

When the Caregiver Shows Symptoms of Dementia

...If you find yourself exhibiting disturbing symptoms that you notice yourself, or friends and family gently bring up to you, don't immediately decide that you, too, have dementia. Other issues that can make you feel as though you are having dementia symptoms are medication reactions or interactions, infections and lack of sleep. read more..

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Medication Reactions-Friends And Family-Dementia Symptoms

When the caregiver develops dementia

If you find yourself exhibiting disturbing symptoms that you notice yourself, or friends and family gently bring up to you, don't immediately decide that you, too, have dementia. Other issues that can make you feel as though you are having dementia symptoms are medication reactions or interactions, infections and lack of sleep. read more..

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Communicating with people who can't speak

Communicating with people who can't speak

Many of us are coping with elders who can no longer communicate. Whether from a stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or for some other reason, they have lost their ability to talk or seemingly respond in any manner to their loved one's efforts to communicate. read more..

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Family Mediator-Sexual Impulses-The Rocky Road-Family Issues-Dementia

How a family mediator can help you over the rocky road of caregiving

Even siblings who grew up together with fondness for each other often have different ideas about what the right care for aging parents incorporates. When siblings have clashing personalities, or family issues have driven them apart, finding middle ground on anything can be extra challenging. read more..

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Sexual Impulses and Needs in Alzheimer's and Dementia Patients

Recently, I received a question from a reader whose mother, in her late 70s, is in love with a man who just turned 80. The reader wondered what I thought about this situation, because she frankly, as she put it, found it "creepy." read more..

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The Shingles-Diabetes-Hospice

Daughter asks, “When should we call hospice?”

Dear Carol: My 87-year-old mother has Alzheimer’s disease. She came down with shingles a few weeks ago, which is being treated, but she’s still in terrible pain. She also has COPD and diabetes. Since the shingles attack, she has gotten very weak and just wants to sleep. She only eats if we feed her, and then she has to be coaxed to eat even a small amount. The family has been taking turns staying with her, but she mainly wants to sleep. Should we call hospice? When do people decide it’s the right time to call? Does the doctor contact hospice or do we? Her doctor hasn’t mentioned hospice, but he says she likely will continue to get weaker. -Melanie read more..

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Physical Problems-Lack Of Appetite-Frail Elders

How to cope with difficult eating issues in elders: some tips

Whether from physical problems or lack of appetite, eating often loses its appeal to frail elders. Regardless of the reason their loved one has for not eating well, caregivers can be stressed by the situation. We know the value of nutrition. We know the feeling of hunger. We want to help them stay nourished. read more..

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Alzheimer's Disease-Errands

Alzheimer's disease: The first 48 hours after diagnosis

You first suspected something was wrong when your mother took too long to run some errands. You thought she just wanted some time to herself, but she was gone more than an hour longer than planned, and when she did return, she snapped at you for asking if everything went okay. Something seems different about her, but you shove the thought away. Then your dad takes you aside and tells you he’s worried. Your mom left the water running in the sink the other day and just walked away. When he commented on it and turned it off, she yelled at him. She said she had to leave it running so it wouldn’t freeze. It was 80 degrees outside. read more..

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