A Caregiver’s Duty Arises
Sandwiched By Sherri C. Bell Caught between generations, I stand – a daughter, a mother, and spouse. A soul-surviving once-caregiver to sister, mother, and partner. Navigating the unknown in the extreme discomfort zone of balancing it all. Now, a sole surviving long-distance lifeline to Dad, 84 and homebound, five states away.. Free-falling from conscious existence. […]
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a term used to describe a decline in cognitive and behavioral functioning that interferes with a person’s daily life and activities as defined by the National Institute on Aging. There are many different conditions and diseases that cause dementia. The most common cause in older people is Alzheimer’s disease which interferes with memory […]
Communication with a Person Suffering from Dementia
Anyone who has a relative with dementia has experienced frustration with communication. The person with dementia might have trouble finding the right words, repeat themselves often or become very upset and agitated when they cannot express what is bothering them. There are a number of things you can do to help with communication. First, never […]
Staying at Home vs. Moving to Long Term Care
One of the most frequent questions I am asked is, “When is the right time to move my relative with Alzheimer’s into a care facility?” The answer is different for every family. Either remaining at home or moving to a facility are options that should be weighed carefully long before a crisis occurs. The different […]
The Importance of Reminiscence Therapy
Reminiscence therapy, according to the American Psychological Association, is the use of written or oral life histories to improve psychological well-being (website: www.apa.org). Examples of this type of therapy are listening to music that may remind someone of things they use to do many years ago. Pictures of family members or friends that bring back memories […]
Understanding the World of Dementia
Several months ago I had the opportunity to participate in “The Virtual Dementia Tour”. I was at a conference for the Alzheimer’s Association. The Virtual Dementia Tour was the most useful exercise I have ever participated in when trying to understand what a person with dementia experiences. A company called Second Wind Dreams developed this […]
Combative Behavior with Dementia
Imagine this scenario. A senior with dementia needs to get ready for bed. The caregiver has to put on their pajamas and brush their teeth. The person with dementia is thinking…”Who is this person trying to take off my clothes? Why are they saying I need to change? What is that object she’s trying to […]
Activities for People with Alzheimer’s
Everyone knows it’s good to keep your brain active as you age. When people have Alzheimer’s, however, their ability to participate in certain activities diminishes. So what can you do with Alzheimer’s? The answer is lots of things! One of my first assignments in Social Work School was to facilitate a Reminiscence Group for seniors […]
Alternative Treatments for Arthritis
When you think of arthritis you may picture an elderly individual, although people of all ages can experience symptoms of arthritis. It can greatly limit the activities you are able to participate in. It can also lead to an increase in depression. These are both very common problems affecting seniors so it is worth evaluating […]
Home Health Care vs. Non-Medical Home Care
What is the difference between home health care and non-medical home care? At first glance these terms look similar. According to Medicare, home health care is recommended to treat an illness or injury. Typically people choose to use home health care after they have been hospitalized. A doctor’s orders are needed to initiate care. Services are […]