Holiday Caregiving Issues

The holidays can be a stressful time for us all, but those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s face an added set of challenges, both practical and emotional.  Dealing with grief during this cheery season, whether you’re grieving a deceased loved one or grieving the many daily losses of dementia, is very difficult.  Furthermore, attending to holiday shopping, hosting …

8 Medication Questions for Caregivers to Ask Doctors

Taken from: Alzheimer’s Weekly at alzheimersweekly.com/2013/04/8-medication-questions-for-caregivers.html Medication Care Tips: People with Alzheimer’s generally take a lot of medicine. Some drugs boost memory and cognition, while others help with mood, behavior and other conditions. Learn how caregivers can help ensure medication is taken safely & correctly. There are 2 things that can be said about all FDA-approved medications: They help many …

10 New Year’s Resolutions for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

Taken from: IlluminAge AgeWise at http://caringstrategies.com/2018/01/2018-new-years-resolutions-alzheimers-caregivers/ Do you make New Year’s resolutions before or after the first day of January? If you are caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder, you may think you don’t have time to make them at all! But now during the first week of the year, as the holiday …

Alzheimer’s and Spirituality

Spirit can be defined as the animating force traditionally believed to be within living beings; a human being’s essence.  It is the part of the human being association with the mind and feelings as distinguished from the physical body.  Spirituality is not a doctrine.  It is a remembrance.  It is a feeling.  It is the knowledge that you are more …

When End of Life Decisions are Difficult to Honor

This month we have a special guest author for our Alzheimer’s Texas Blog, Carmen Buck, former nurse practitioner who has helped many families cope with the challenges of dementia. Sarah and her father discussed his Living Will 10 years ago.  Howard went to his attorney and updated his will, created a living will,  a medical power of attorney (assigned his …

Things to Watch for on a Holiday Visit

It’s increasingly common for people to make their home in a different city than their parents.  For many, the winter holidays are the only time of year when they can enjoy an extended stay with their older relatives.  You may notice that your elderly loved ones’ memories aren’t as sharp as they used to be, or may seem more frail …

Managing Family Conflict

Throughout the course of a person’s experience with Alzheimer’s, those closest to them will experience complicated emotions.  Denial, anger, sadness, guilt, despair, and resentment are all par for the course.  The members of a care team or family unit may be processing their grief at different rates and in different ways, meanwhile, important decisions about the person’s care need to …

Activities for People with Alzheimer’s

Activities are the “things that we do.”  These include getting dressed, doing chores, playing cards and even paying bills.  They can represent who we are and what we’re about.  Therefore, allowing the person with Alzheimer’s to participate in these activities can help him/her to maintain feelings of value and importance.  Activities can structure time and make the best of retained …

April Caregiver Connection: Communication Tips

One of the greatest struggles for caregivers is communicating with the person with dementia.  Luckily, there are proven strategies for avoiding conflict and making yourself understood.  Use these “do’s and don’ts” to refine your caregiving communication style. DON’T Don’t reason Don’t argue Don’t confront Don’t correct Don’t question recent memory Don’t take it personally