Learning and sharing information to support loved ones with Alzheimer's and Dementia--
Should Grandpa with Alzheimer’s attend the wedding? Whether or not a Person with Alzheimer’s will be included in a large family gathering depends on the person, the Stage of Alzheimer’s, the event, and family interactions with the person who has Alzheimer’s. Sometimes the person with Alzheimer’s may prefer to stay home. Don’t be surprised if [...]
Mother knows best –or Does she? Alzheimer’s changes everything Caring for a parent who has Alzheimer’s, is one of the most demanding jobs you’ll ever have. It isn’t manual labor with heavy lifting and strenuous exertion, but rather an emotional rollercoaster of highs and lows every day of the week. As the only daughter, I [...]
4 Things to remember before you Argue Tension mounts when you are a caregiver or loved one attempting to win an argument with someone who has mid to late stage Alzheimer’s or Dementia. A person with Alzheimer’s or Dementia does not think the way they use to. Their brain is different. They may say or [...]
A night with Sundowners (aka night terrors) can leave you exhausted the next day Some “Sundowners” symptoms which plague mid-stage Alzheimer’s or Dementia patients are so severe they are often called night terrors. Recently, while attempting to help a friend with these fitful, terror-filled nights, another friend suggested Visualizations. With little more instruction than for [...]
A few ideas to help the Alzheimer’s patient get dressed Don’t Rush them. Keep things calm. The less stress the better. If you’re in a hurry and issue a long list of things they need to do; change your shirt, put on clean socks, be certain to get your best shoes, the patient will have [...]
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients can Suffer Frightening Evenings If your family member has Alzheimer’s or Dementia, they may suffer through some nights that are more than fitful. Severe mood swings can occur during the evening hours that are often referred to as Sundowning or Sundowners. My own Mom would often awake from a sound sleep, [...]
Mom’s First International Vacation and a Mexican Fiesta too We live in the Desert Southwest near the Mexico border, so Cinco de Mayo and accompanying celebrations are nothing new to us during the Month of May. A few years ago it was an exceptionally warm summer and everyone looked forward to all the festivities as [...]
When my Mom was hospitalized for tests due to shortness of breath and other symptoms of pneumonia, she was totally confused the entire time she was in the hospital. She had been to this same hospital many times for tests and such, but had never needed an overnight stay. This time she was hospitalized for [...]
When Mom called because she’d received a gas bill for $300 in the middle of a heat wave, I was shocked. It was bad enough that her last credit-card bill contained fraudulent charges for expensive earrings that Mom did not buy– and her bank claimed a cash withdrawal that she knew nothing about. Now this [...]
The Alzheimer’s patient often appears to be stubborn, obstinate, argumentative, aggressive and downright mean at times. I say “appears to be,” because in reality he is none of those things. He is someone who has a brain injury and damage to the brain prevents him from reacting in a normal way. Instead of doing as [...]
