Caregivers, especially those whose caregiving responsibilities are 24-7 or near to it, are often in danger of becoming isolated from family, friends, things that are meaningful to them, and the world around them. Isolation is not something that the caregiver chooses or wishes to happen. Instead it often happens before you know it. So much time can be spent lovingly caring for your friend or…
Donald and Kathryn lived many miles apart – Donald in Missouri and Kathryn in Virginia. Their parents were in their eighties and in failing health: mom with physical decline that necessitated placement in a skilled nursing facility; dad in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and still living in the family home. Kathryn lived just several miles from their parents and, thus, bore the main res…
Embed from Getty Images It doesn’t happen much anymore in our modern era of automobiles and public transit, but in the “olden days” one would often walk a companion to his or her home…Walking someone home allowed the opportunity to give protection and guidance to the destined dwelling place…Sometimes this walking was done mostly in silence. Sometimes there was much talking going on. In any event, th…
Joan Rivers often began her comedy routine with the comment, “Let’s talk…” Often that is how caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias try to communicate with their loved ones. Unfortunately, though, sometimes those for whom we offer care can no longer use words, or are living in a reality that isn’t ours. As Alzheimer’s Disease, for example, progresses the ability to talk diminish…
Are you an adult who cares for children or teens at home and also has responsibility for caring for elderly relatives or neighbors? If you answered “yes,” you’re not alone. According to a Pew Research Center Report nearly half of all adults in their 40s and 50s have a parent who is 65 or older and are either raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child. Social Worker, Dorothy Mille…
