Alzheimer’s and memories: Use mementos as cues
Life is like a tapestry, woven from memories of people and events. Your unique tapestry reminds you of who you are, where you’ve been and what you’ve done. Early in the disease, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty making new memories, but memories from early in life are often relatively preserved. Sadly, Alzheimer’s disease gradually […]
Long-term care: Early planning pays off
It’s best to talk about long-term care early — before medical or personal care is needed. Here’s help understanding, choosing and financing long-term care.By Mayo Clinic Staff Long-term care is a term used to describe home and community-based services for adults who need help caring for themselves. If you’re considering long-term care options for yourself, […]
Alzheimer’s and dementia: Tips for better communication
Rethinking your listening and speaking strategies can help you communicate with a person who has dementia.By Mayo Clinic Staff Communicating with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be challenging. A family member or friend with dementia may have difficulty understanding you, and you may have a hard time understanding what he […]
Mixed Messages Complicate Caregiving
Every Sunday night, my former client Anna became exasperated when her 85-year-old mother, Lillian, had her once-a-week phone call with Anna’s brother, Don. With Anna, Lillian was perennially sour, complaining of pain. But on her calls with Don, she sounded chipper and contented. Anna stewed that her mother felt entitled to dump her negative feelings […]
Caregiving For A Loved One? How To Get The Help You Need
This year I joined the ranks of 40 million Americans who are family caregivers as I began to care for my 81-year-old father. As a physician, taking on this role has given me the chance to experience what so many of my patients and their families encounter. As I’ve learned, no one is prepared to […]