Today begins Caregiving.com’s 7-day Progressive Blog Party.
Join us today through Saturday, December 11th.
It’s a cook-free party; instead of dishes, we’re sharing comfort and support.
Throughout the week of December 5, we’ll stop by the blogs of family caregivers,
dropping off holiday well-wishes and good cheer.
— Denise Brown, Founder, Caregiving.com
Welcome!
All of you who are visiting as part of the Progressive Blog Party, we offer you a special discount on 3 informative and FUN books that you can share. Click on: Holiday Special and scroll down to the middle of the page.
Denise adds:
Family caregivers, please share a current struggle or worry when you visit other sites.
And, share a perspective or insight that will help other family caregives.
Our hope is that, by sharing, you can lighten your load and gain some new ideas and solutions.
— Denise Brown, Founder, Caregiving.com
We, at The Caregiver’s Voice, welcome you to share your comments below.
Brenda Avadian, MA
Founder & Editor
TheCaregiversVoice.com
P.S. Thanks to Denise Graab of Caring.com for bringing this party to my attention.
Carol,
Thank you for your posting, above. Due to it, I am now looking into the link between my husband’s MCI and his use of Lovastatin. He’s been on it for several years. Recently he’s been experiencing unexplained muscle pain as well, which due to you, I have found out is also a side effect of Lovastatin. This is definitely something I need to continue to research. Thanks again!
Brenda, thank you for your comments. We actually got a second opinion earlier in the year. However, it’s now been a year since my husband’s PET Scan. At the time, the group that did the PET Scan said he should come back in a year. I need to point out to the doctor when we see him next month that a year has passed. I’m curious to see what a comparison shows. It’s definite that there is a problem, bur sometimes I wonder if they diagnosed MCI because they couldn’t conclusively identify something else.
G-J, my pleasure.
Given that he had a PET scan, I wonder if it was something a little more serious. PET scans are quite expensive and doctors don’t order them unless there is something truly serious going on…or unless you have very good insurance! I agree with you on two of your comments above–that perhaps, MCI is being used as a catch all until they can be more definitive and that you are following up on getting a year-to-year comparison.
My best to you, G-J. These are uncertain times, but the follow-up in 2011 will help clarify his diagnosis.
Carol, thank you for taking time to write.
Also, thank you again (and again) for sharing information about Dr, Mark H. Beers, MD’s criteria.
I expanded the tiny url you originally posted so our visitors can see the full link.
Again, congratulations for being recognized as The Caregiver’s Voice Family Caregiver of the month of November, Carol. Despite all you do caring for your mom, we appreciate your taking time as a caregiver advocate to further educate our readers.
Caregiver of the Month–Carol Wright at https://www.thecaregiversvoice.com/latest-news/tcvs-caregiver-of-the-month-of-november-carol-wright/
Hi, I am Caregiver of the Month from last month. It seems the entire last year has been about learning about what Rx’s do to my mother, which is make her demented for the most part. Sure some of them calm her (I try to keep her from being a zombie.)
I was able to attend ONE segment of a caregiver conference this summer, where a gerontologist specialist lectured about getting elders OFF most of their prescription drugs, switching them from long-acting to fast-acting versions, etc. Our doctor just tended to pile one Rx on top of another, and it was up to me to start clearing the decks. The gerontologist said to use this list and protocol for getting seniors off unnecessary drugs. I write about it here, as guest columnist under Clarissa Pinkola Estes in her column on “The Moderate Voice” website. I also wrote another column under her wing right before Thanksgiving.
[Updated 10/27/2017 Link no longer available on TheModerateVoice.com TCV Ed.] …
/94134/alzheimers-and-other-dementias-trying-the-drug-free-route-to-lift-dementia-using-beers-criteria/It is a pain to get into the comments area, but a few men write about their experiences, and I respond as best I can. It is amazing how few nurses I talk to even know about Beers Criteria, aka Beers List. The Dr. Beers specialized in helping nursing homes figure how to cut down on unnecessary Rxs for their patients. So many of these drugs cause dementia, and many of the behavior altering drugs actually CAUSE the behavior they are meant to control.
Do any of you in the caregiving field use the Beers list?
Happy Holidays Brenda! I’m thrilled that Denise Brown of Caregiving.com organized this wonderful event, and that you were able to participate with us. I continue to appreciate the supportive comments you’ve shared with caregivers in the Caring.com community — thank you for being so generous in reaching out to help others!
Thank you for taking time to write, Denise. I do appreciate your help along the way to help Caregivers’ Voices be heard.
Thank you.
Howdy from central Texas! We at Hill Country Care Providers (http://hillcountrycareproviders.com) are looking to find some like-minded companies and individuals across the country to confer with regarding eldercare, in-home geriatric practices, and with whom to simply share general health tips. We’re all in this together–competition, borders, and profit margins all seem rather insignificant when you consider the people whose well-being is at stake. Happy Holidays–and keep on keepin’ on!
Also, three cheers to CareGiving.com for organizing the Holiday Progressive Blog Party! What a great idea to bring people together.
Hi! I am visiting from caregiving.com where I blog. I am 50 years old, and with my 56 year old husband, we have a 14 year old son who is a high school freshman. About a year ago my husband was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment. At the risk of sounding crazy, I sometimes wonder about the accuracy of the diagnosis. I try to keep a positive, upbeat attitude, which some people I encounter in my life seem to think is a form of denial. However, it works for me! I will definitely visit your site again. Come by caregiving.com and read my blog. 🙂
Thanks for visiting. G-J!
I don’t know that I would agree that you sound crazy. In fact, I think depending on the doctor and your husband’s behaviors, that lead the doctor to diagnose Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) that you may want to get a second opinion.
Let me assure you…there are many caregivers who could easily be diagnosed with MCI. The stresses in our lives have grown so great, it is hard sometimes to remember a dear friend’s name as our brains go blank for a moment.
There is an actual condition named “caregiver dementia.” See more at Caregiver Dementia is REAL
HI Brenda! Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for your warm welcome (and your specials!). I’m so glad you can be a part of our party. I hope the holiday season is one full of blessings for you and your family. Enjoy!
Thank you for taking time to comment, Denise. I look forward to your Progressive Blog Party!
What a COOL IDEA!