Recent headlines have brought news of the abrupt cessation of several critical clinical trials. These moves are attributed by some to the stringent measures of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While the specifics of these closures and their purported justifications may dominate the immediate news cycle, it’s crucial to step back and […]
Here's Why You Should Worry About Your Eyes. If you're in your 20s or 30s, you probably don't think much about your eye health, but this is precisely the time to take steps to protect your eyesight. Protecting your eyes is crucial because they help you see and navigate every day. Your eyes are often […]
What is a Memory Care Facility? A memory care facility is a kind of long-term care that provides care and services to individuals with dementia or other cognitive impairments. Memory care facilities are sometimes called dementia care homes, Alzheimer's, or nursing homes. How do we discuss a move with someone living with Alzheimer's or dementia? […]
Coping with Denial in Someone Living with Alzheimer’s For a long time, I thought Mom was in denial. Then I learned about anosognosia. Having walked the Alzheimer’s journey for 20 years with Mom I was a part of many of the strange phases that accompany this disease. The one thing that always surprised me was […]
Whenever I meet someone new who has a family member with Alzheimer’s, the first thing I tell them is to assemble a caregiving team. Well, actually, I talk to them first, and ask questions, but it’s all in search of information. Most of us take on caregiving out of love and, yes, responsibility. They are […]
Caregivers & employment challenges were a big problem before Covid-19 made them worse. This is a companion article to the podcast episode Caregiving & Employment – Make it All Work. Currently, there are over 16 million Americans that require help with daily living. Most of these people get help from unpaid family members and friends. Some […]
Am I a caregiver is not likely a question most of us are asking about ourselves. By defining what a caregiver is, most of us will understand that what we’ve been doing qualifies as caregiving. Is it even essential to label ourselves in such a way? Answering that question is personal, but there are good […]
It’s normal to have trouble eating in the later stages of Alzheimer’s. Also, it’s not unusual for people living with the disease to stop eating altogether. Understandably, this causes caregivers a lot of concern. The first thing to do is to stay calm. While understandable, going into panic mode will make it tougher to find […]
As I sat down to start this article on this year’s Walk, I had a phone call. Last year’s East Bay Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chairperson called to tell me that she is dedicating her walk to my Mom. Such a special message to hear. I know my Mom would have liked Ginny. The 2020 […]
End-of-life considerations can be hard, but necessary. My friend’s dad died today. He was 89, and he had contracted the Coronavirus. Before that, he had several other chronic health issues. He had also been a widower for almost four years. These details needed consideration as the family decided on a course of action. Dad had […]
