Questions from Readers: Can a Facility Refuse to Accept my Loved One and Other Issues
Can a facility refuse to take my family member with dementia? How do I remove soiled clothing from someone who refuses? Read answers here.
My Family Member with Dementia Only Wants Me!
People living with dementia may refuse help from others, only wanting care from one person. Here is how to deal with that situation.
Releasing Caregiver Guilt, Anxiety, & Fear
Do you find yourself thinking the following thoughts? “Am I doing this right?” “Did I do everything I could to make her feel safe and happy? And did I do enough?” “I want some time for myself, but I feel guilty leaving him alone.”
Youths Caring for Parents with Dementia
Over 5 million young people aged 8-18 provide care to a disabled family member…and a good chunk of these youths are caring for a parent with dementia–which is much more difficult than helping to care for a grandparent with dementia.
Common Medications Used in the Dementia Journey: AChEIs, Memantine
, I am going to describe why and how common two medications are commonly prescribed for people living with dementia: acetylcholine esterase inhibitors (pronounced a-SEE-tol-CO-leen ES-ter-ace) and memantine (prounounced meh-MAN-teen).
Valentine Post for Dementia Caregivers: 2022
Valentine’s Day is traditionally about romance. It celebrates the fun side of love. For many carers and care partners of persons living with dementia, love is demonstrated daily through multiple acts of kindness and dignity. Here is my Valentine’s message to these heroes. Send a care partner that you know something special this Valentine’s Day.
Should My Family Member with Dementia Be Driving? 7 Questions to Ask!
People living with dementia should only be driving if it is safe. The answers to 7 questions can help you decide next steps.
Ten Strategies for Managing Care Refusals in the Moment
Ten strategies for managing care refusals: entering their reality, bridging, distraction, hand-over-hand, mirror-mirror, vibes, ask for help, apologize with praise, rewards, and rescue.
How Do I Know if My Family Member Living with Dementia Can Safely Make Decisions?
The holidays are a time of family togetherness. Unfortunately, the holidays are also a time when families may start to notice that grandmother is having memory problems and now feel a sense of urgency to “do something.” Or, now that everyone knows that dad has been diagnosed with dementia, the […]
Making Holidays and Traditions Dementia-Friendly
Holidays can be wonderful, exhausting, amazing, and problematic all at the same time. Add being a dementia caregiver, and things get complicated! This year may be worse, because many families could not spend time together thanks to last winter’s coronavirus surge! In this blog, I offer simple tips to make any holiday–especially this Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Yule, and Christmas–dementia friendly ( and keep you from wanting to strangle any ‘helpful’ family members!).