“Every night when I get back from the nursing home,” he wrote, “I look forward to reading your emails.”

This is just one example of the kind of emails I receive from my clients whose loved ones suffer from Alzheimer’s.  This particular gentleman had been receiving my Caregiving Tip of the Day emails, and I was happy to find he got some comfort from them.

November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, as well as National Family Caregiver Month.  Who in your life has had their world turned upside down by Alzheimer’s?

I think just about everyone knows someone who is affected by Alzheimer’s.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States… it’s just everywhere, and at this point in our history, there is no cure.

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or memory problems, you know how difficult it can be.  If you know someone affected by the disease, you’ve seen the havoc it can wreak in the lives of their family and friends.

But fortunately, there are things we can do to help.  While there is still no cure, we can lend a helping hand to those that are affected.

What you can do to help:

  • Do you have a friend or co-worker that you know cares for a loved one with Alzheimer’s?  Offer to stay with their loved one for a few hours so they can go run errands or take some time for themselves.
  • If you’re a caregiver, take a time out this week.  I know it seems like you have a mountain of work, in addition to errands, your kids, your spouse, and your loved one with Alzheimer’s, but don’t allow yourself to succumb to caregiver burnout – you must take a break!  You have a friend or an acquaintance who would love to give you a few hours reprieve, all they need is for you to ask.  When someone says, “Let me know what I can do to help,” take them up on it!  Your health depends on it.
  • Visit www.AlzheimersHope.com and read a very special book called Grandma’s Cobwebs with your child or grandchild to teach them about Alzheimer’s.  You can read the book yourself and flip through the pages, or turn up your speakers to hear author Ann Frantti read the true story of her experience with her own mother and child.
  • Sign up for an Alzheimer’s Walk to raise money and awareness.  You can find a walk near you by clicking here: https://www.alz.org/walk/
  • If you know someone who is in an Alzheimer’s support group, tell them about our Alzheimer’s Resource Kit.  The kit is incredibly helpful, and is free for anyone to download.  There are even several audio files that give tips for caregiving that can turn a caregiver’s tough day right around!  The kit, as well as our Alzheimer’s Caregiving Tip of the Day, are available for free at www.ClevelandMemoryLawyer.com.
  • Volunteer at a dementia unit at a nursing home near you.  You can read a story to the residents, visit with them, look through magazines (car magazines are great for men, or bring a bridal magazine – the gentlemen and the ladies both like to look through these!).  Or, just bring some cookies and a smile.
  • Bring a casserole to someone at your place of worship that you know is caring for their loved one.

There are plenty of small actions you can take to start making life better today for yourself or someone you know who’s affected by Alzheimer’s… take a little action and brighten someone’s day during National Family Caregiver and Alzheimer’s Awareness Month!