Overwhelmed Caregiver Backs Car into Closed Garage Door Uh ohhh, a case of caregiver dementia! One morning, after a fitful night of tossing and turning, my mind filled with thoughts… What else can I get done while out and about with my father? Oh, I’d better get the papers together and drop th[...]
After 43 years as a registered nurse (RN), newly retired Marcia Atkinson faces the next challenge in her life—living with Parkinson’s. She knew something was amiss before retirement from Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in 2014. Serving as an ICU nurse and in palliative care, Marcia knew something[...]
Having the “Money Talk” with Your Elder Parents Guest article by Emily Lutz Talking to your aging parents about money isn’t easy. If you feel uncomfortable or intimidated by it, you’re not alone. Whether you’re facing heavy resistance or a bit of anxiety before you bring up the topic, th[...]
Alzheimer’s Doesn’t Stop His Words from Being Featured in the Congressional Record Michael Ellenbogen, diagnosed with younger onset dementia at age 49, wastes no time using what abilities he has left. As an advocate, author, and spokesperson, he campaigns passionately to raise awareness [...]
Sometimes we need to look beyond our borders to see what’s possible for caregivers in residential care communities. College tuition has risen to stratospheric levels making higher education almost unaffordable. The problem near Amsterdam is worse. Students can’t even find a place to live[...]
Review of AARP’s Meditations for Caregivers Book AARP’s Meditations for Caregivers has a little bit of everything for the busy caregiver. Over 150 caregiver stories grouped into 28 topics from Anger and Anxiety to Flexibility and Gratitude. Guilt, Humor, Mindfulness, and Sacrifice are so[...]
It is World Alzheimer’s Month [6/20/2024: URL updated] and Dementia Awareness Month. [TCV Update 9/30/2022: URL Updated] What better month than to explore an issue that I’ve been musing for some time. First, come with me as we learn about a special plant in the rain forest. While explori[...]
Care for Yourself and Your Loved Ones with Family Caregiver Resources Guest Article by David Inns There are over 44 million caregivers in the U.S. The role of caregiver impacts every aspect of family life. It creates emotional, financial, time, and workplace productivity challenges. Many of these ch[...]
Caregivers are reminded to take time off. Caregiver respites make all the difference in the world – from an afternoon off to an extended weekend or even a week or more. Below is an overview of some of the things you might consider doing during a caregiver respite. Although I still work long da[...]
While The Caregiver’s Voice features Voices with Dementia, there are many whose voices are unheard because they are not yet ready to share with the world that they have been diagnosed with dementia. Among these are a handful of people who are willing to add their voices to help raise awareness[...]
Why waste your time on a comprehensive geriatric assessment, when you have the Internet? Do you really need a psychiatrist, neurologist, social worker, and speech therapist to tell you what’s going on? If you suffer from test anxiety as I do, forget taking the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)! Na[...]
What if I only visited my father who was living with dementia and then returned home? What if I refused to be a caregiver? After all, my brother and sister were right there. Why was I getting involved from 2,000 miles away? But there was something special about our relationship. I came into this wor[...]
