Should You Join Someone with Dementia in Their Reality?
It was not unlike any other day, but on this particular afternoon Dad was adamant. He was waiting for his medical degree from the...
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The Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease: Ways To Measure May Change, but the Disease Remains the Same
When I wrote this article, seven stages were considered the standard way to evaluate people living with Alzheimer’s. Now, it’s more common to have...
Hospice Care: Help During End Stages of Life
Each time I walked into Dad’s room in the nursing home, he would be rigid in bed, propped up on one elbow and slamming...
In-Office Dementia Test Just the First Step in Getting a Diagnosis
Dear Carol: My mom is showing signs of compromised decision-making ability as well as some short-term memory loss. I understand that there are quick,...
Respecting the Right to Age With Dignity
The impact of aging frequently makes the news. Sadly, the coverage is consistently negative, and all facets of this topic are portrayed as “problems”...
Music-Thanatology: Providing Harmony at the End of Life
The mission of hospice providers is to help people live their last months or weeks of life in the most comfortable, dignified, and satisfying...
Aphasia: Speech Problems Caused by Brain Injury
My uncle was an avid reader and loved playing word games. After a series of strokes, he had extreme difficulty communicating. The worst part...
A Self-Help Approach to Coping with Caregiver Stress
Caregiving can bring forth an ever-changing kaleidoscope of emotions. These feelings are often bittersweet, but without the proper preparations and assistance, things can quickly...
Grandfather with Dementia Refuses His Medications
Dear Carol: My mom’s having a terrible time with my grandpa who has Alzheimer’s disease. He’s supposed to take a pill to help his...
Losing the Ability to Swallow: How to Help Someone With Dysphagia
Coping with an ill loved one’s difficulty swallowing can be frustrating and frightening for everyone involved. Caring for someone we love means nurturing and...
