Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are two very serious, and sadly fairly common, diseases that slowly rob a person of physical and mental abilities. When you learn that your loved one has been diagnosed with either of these diseases, it’s very important to being planning for the future at once. Eventually, a person with Alzheimer’s or [...]
The journey a caregiver makes is full of ups and downs. For many, it seems like an end to so much. The most important thing to remember is that you can best control the situation by letting go. Letting go doesn't mean letting go of your hopes and dreams. It means letting go of the [...]
You get the call that changes your life: Mom or Dad can’t live alone any longer. Whether the call comes from a sibling, a family friend or your loved one’s healthcare provider, it is a call that shakes the foundation of what is “normal” life. In today’s world, families are scattered across miles, states and [...]
When you begin your journey as a caregiver for a loved with Alzheimer’s, dementia or disease you are embarking on a journey that can positively impact and change your life. It is also a path that can be stressful, painful and overwhelming. Consider these seven caregiver tips from Christine Jette, RN. Get as much help [...]
You may have heard the phrase “Promise me you will never put me in a home,” from the mouth of your aging loved ones. Maybe it was a promise you made when they were much younger and healthy. It’s a promise that brings with it a lot of emotions when faced with deciding between caring [...]
One of the longest journeys a caregiver makes is the seventh stage, which involves healing after the loss of the loved one. During this stage, you will find ways to accept what has happened and move on with life. The idea is not to forget the journey that led you to this point, but to [...]
Stage three begins with the actual act of providing care for your loved one. This stage can be as short as few months, or become a life-long commitment lasting many years. Inside of stage three, there are three sub-stages: Mild impairment- Elder can be left alone for several hours at a time Middle stage- A [...]
Deciding if you should step in and be a caregiver for a loved one is neither an easy decision, nor one that should be taken lightly. Often, caregivers find themselves thrown into a role, even if it is not something they want to do. And let’s face it, not everyone is cut out to be [...]
The first stage of caregiving comes as a shock to most people, but it hits few as hard as it does the patient’s loved ones. Whether the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, dementia or a terminal disease, the new is never what we want to hear. When the diagnosis is made, we often feel scared and sad. [...]
A report in the medical journal Neurology may help the children of Alzheimer’s patient’s breath a little easier. Until this point, genetics was considered the biggest factor influencing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia causing illnesses. The new study, conducted by Australian researchers, showed that people with plaques in the brain have a greater risk for [...]