Understanding Dementia
Normal Aging Versus Alzheimer's Disease
It's important to understand the difference between normal age-related memory changes and memory loss...
CAREGIVER INSIGHTS
Insights For Every Step Of
The Journey
Real stories, practical guidance, and compassionate perspectives — written by caregivers who understand what you're going through.
CAREGIVER INSIGHTS
Understanding Dementia
Gain insight into what dementia is — and what it isn't.
Understanding Dementia
A Peek Inside the Alzheimer's Brain
Alzheimer's disease is caused by physiological changes in the brain, including atrophy and a breakdown...
Understanding Dementia
What You Need to Know
We take so much for granted, and we are likely to make assumptions that are misinformed.
Understanding Dementia
A Letter from Your Loved One's Heart
I want to share all the good times we have had together in the past and join you as the future unfolds.
Understanding Dementia
Caregiving After Three Years
We learned to love and live with the one who met our dreams We thrived on becoming and remaining intertwined...
Understanding Dementia
Changing Friendships
My mom had more friends than anyone I know as she moved through her life! She kept in touch with high school friends...
Understanding Dementia
Crying is a Blessing
For many of us, the tears that have come over the years have been stifled by this unwritten code of conduct.
Understanding Dementia
Understanding Anosognosia: Why Loved Ones Refuse Help
Imagine for a moment that you strongly believe that you are healthy, mentally fit, and fully capable of taking care...
Understanding Dementia
The Caregiver's Song
“Remember,” she says. “You must take care of yourself.” “It will make you a better caregiver,” she says.
Understanding Dementia
The Power of Love
We moved my mom into Cherrywood a year ago. It was rough. Really rough. Dad and I were lost without her. The move came...
Understanding Dementia
Journal Insights About Caregiving
Journaling during the dementia journey can reduce stress and provide relief. Taking time to step back and reflect can also be...
Understanding Dementia
How I Became My Wife's Father
I marvel at life and its surprises. Growing up, there is the mystery of finding our way. Challenges help us learn, grow, and endure.
Understanding Dementia
Other Dementias
Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an umbrella term for a collection of brain diseases and their symptoms that...
CAREGIVER INSIGHTS
Caregiver Suggestions
Practical guidance for the day-to-day realities of caregiving.
Caregiver Suggestions
Finding Life Balance
We all face times when dementia caregiving becomes overwhelming. Grief begins earlier in the journey than we expect it.
Caregiver Suggestions
Your Loved One's Wish List
Happiness is rooted in our relationships. As Brené Brown said, “Connection is why we're here; it is what gives purpose...
Caregiver Suggestions
Caring for Yourself
Self-care for Alzheimer's caregivers is a more serious issue than most caregivers realize.
Caregiver Suggestions
Making Caregiving Less Difficult
You care, and you want this journey to be as gentle as possible for your loved one and for you.
Caregiver Suggestions
Support Groups
Caregiving for people with dementia is a challenging and lonely business, especially for first-time caregivers who...
Caregiver Suggestions
A Special Caregivers Tool
When writing Thoughts for Alzheimer's Caregivers, I cherry picked my daily journal entries because I wanted to capture...
Caregiver Suggestions
When Dementia Challenges Love
We don't like to admit it, but every caregiver faces times when it all seems too much. It is agonizing watching our loved...
Caregiver Suggestions
Surviving the Caregiver's Journey
Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers learn that good advice from knowledgeable sources makes the journey...
Caregiver Suggestions
Another Approach to Caregiving
Being a caregiver is demanding, and if you let it, caregiving can become too demanding. It can cause sleepless nights,...
Caregiver Suggestions
Non-verbal Communication Matters
Humans are born with an innate ability to form social bonds. From birth on, we understand facial expressions, cry for attention,
Caregiver Suggestions
Take a Deep Look in the Mirror
Caregivers deserve more peace of mind. You try your hardest. As a caregiver you are there for your loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia every day.
Caregiver Suggestions
Making a Difference
Caregiving for people with dementia is hard – really hard! This life-changing challenge brings sadness, fatigue, stress, anger, and a host of other unwanted emotions.
Caregiver Suggestions
Common Misconceptions
Dementia caregiving is a challenging and different world. What has worked well in our relationships in the past is frequently no longer appropriate.
Caregiver Suggestions
Time for Memory Care?
There are many reasons why those of us who are Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers usually wait longer than we should before we move...
Caregiver Suggestions
Selecting a Memory Care Facility
I've learned a lot since then. Now when I go to Cherrywood, I see the residents as survivors and the staff as miracle workers. Individual residents have...
Caregiver Suggestions
After One Year of Memory Care
A year ago, we moved Gayla to Balfour's Cherrywood Village memory care campus, amid many questions, concerns and fears.
Dealing with Challenges
Stress
Stress is the biggest threat to our health, happiness, and ability to fulfill our caregiving responsibilities.
Caregiver Suggestions
Understanding Different Types of Dementia
Everyone knows that caregiving for people with dementia is selfless and demanding...
Caregiver Suggestions
Early-onset Pain
All families dealing with dementia feel pain, but early-onset dementia (before age 65) is particularly devastating.
Caregiver Suggestions
Genetic Testing?
Dementia is more than a personal illness. It changes other family members' outlook, behaviors, and relationships.
Caregiver Suggestions
A High Point in Caregiving
There was one period in our dementia experience that was the high point of our journey. Things were not going...
CAREGIVER INSIGHTS
Dealing with Challenges
Honest support for caregiving's hardest moments.
Dealing with Challenges
Stress
For dementia caregivers, what do short-term memory loss, repetitive questions, poor concentration, faulty reasoning, confusion...
Dealing with Challenges
When to Get Tested
Each family's experience is different, and this will explain ours. We first noticed short-term memory lapses...
Dealing with Challenges
Taking Away the Car Keys
One of the great events as we grow up is getting our first driver's license. It is a rite of passage that creates opportunities for independence and freedom.
Dealing with Challenges
Dealing with Grief
Gayla’s passing a few weeks ago has caused profound sadness and overwhelming grief. We have been consumed by the loss...
Dealing with Challenges
Dealing with Obstinance
The challenges of being an Alzheimer's or dementia caregiver are compounded when our loved ones are unwilling to cooperate.
Dealing with Challenges
Dealing with Aggressive Behavior
Most people with Alzheimer's will have aggressive or angry behavior occasionally. Some are aggressive frequently.
Dealing with Challenges
Sleeplessness
Caregiving can feel like a curse. You live with it each day, you do the best that you can, but it is stressful and tiring.
Dealing with Challenges
Caregiving Your Parents
Caring for a parent who has Alzheimer's or dementia is a heartbreaking experience. You have been connected since birth.
Dealing with Challenges
Caregiving Your Parents (Part 2)
Does any of this sound familiar? You care about your parents as they age and want to share precious moments while you can.
Dealing with Challenges
Unnecessary Guilt
Becoming a dementia or Alzheimer's caregiver was never part of our life plan, and most of us are not well...
Dealing with Challenges
Safety Comes First
One night, my wife woke me up at 2:15. She was disoriented, cold, and quivering. She had been wandering around the house...
Dealing with Challenges
Awkward Moments
Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias are certain to cause awkward moments. Irreversible brain damage leads confusion...
Dealing with Challenges
The Journey Comes to an End
When Gayla was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, I knew there would be no happy ending. There wasn't.
Dealing with Challenges
Finding Light in the Darkness
I lost my wife, Gayla, a year and a half ago, twelve years after the first signs of memory loss. We had been married for...
CAREGIVER INSIGHTS
Viewpoints
Reflective perspectives from caregivers who've walked this road.
Viewpoints
Reflections on Aging
When we were younger, we challenged the future with optimism. We believed that it was not enough to just be.
Viewpoints
The Secret to Overcoming Adversity
There is no answer that is universally applicable, but people who excel in challenging situations have an approach...
Viewpoints
Maintaining Caregiver Health
Caregiving causes tension and strain because of constant demands, emotional pressures, isolation...
Viewpoints
Communicating in the Dementia World
The creating moments of joy caregiving strategy is practical and successful. Positive thinking is beneficial in all family...
Viewpoints
Why Men Are Reluctant to Participate in Support Groups
Fortunately, society has progressed since my generation grew up in the post-World War II era.
Viewpoints
Suggested Activities
Far too often, I ran out of ideas on how to spend our time together. Here are some suggestions for you to consider.
CAREGIVER INSIGHTS
Humor
Humor
I don't know what we just did, but I had a great time doing it.
All caregivers know about stress, but we also have experiences that are uplifting or funny.