Coping with the Stigma of Dementia
People stare. Most are not unkind, they are just curious. But when someone “different” from the norm becomes part of their environment, they often...
Alzheimer’s
Why Would Someone with Dementia Resist Changing Clothes?
Dear Carol: My 83-year-old mother was once obsessive about her hygiene and stylish wardrobe, but now she resists changing clothes. She has early dementia...
How to Handle Repetitive Questions from People Living with Dementia
Dear Carol: It’s still morning but since my mom has dementia and lives with me, I’ve already answered the same question five times. She’ll...
Confabulation in Dementia Can Feel Like Hurtful Lies
When a person develops any form of dementia, it is difficult for family and friends to witness their diminishing capacity and the unbearable frustration...
When a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Doesn’t Recognize You
Watching a loved one move through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be one of life’s toughest and most heartbreaking challenges. If we had to...
How to Cope with Alzheimer’s Caregiver Burnout
You watch your once mentally sharp loved one decline before your eyes. Their uncontrollable behaviors, mood swings, outbursts, confusion, and memory loss are heartbreaking....
Coping with the Stigma of Dementia
People stare. Most are not unkind, they are just curious. But when someone “different” from the norm becomes part of their environment, they often...
Handling Resentment Over Making Sacrifices for Someone Else’s Care
… Most caregivers have some idea of how they intended to spend their lives. But thanks to medical advancements, aging parents are living longer...
Making Hard Decisions: Listen to the Emotions Behind Their Words
Dear Carol: I’m struggling to understand how to help my dad who has dementia. I can be with him for part of each day...
Minimizing Grief for a Surviving Spouse with Dementia
Deciding whether to tell someone who is cognitively impaired that their spouse has died is a serious and often recurring struggle. Dementia and death...
