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Brain failure = Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia
Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease = Brain failure Many people know the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but what do those words actually relate to so that we can understand what is happening? I believe that the most appropriate phrase is brain failure....
Pro’s & Con’s of treating Dementia behaviors with meds
Behaviors Can Behaviors be managed Without Medication? What are the Pro’s & Con’s? Medications are not without risks. There are no approved medications for behavior management in a dementia. The medications that are being used are being used “off-label.” That...
The 5 reasons you aren’t getting relief from chronic pain
5 Reasons you are not getting relief from your chronic pain & then what you can do to get relief! You are still mad about it and are fighting it. You are only trying one approach to finding relief. You have given up control of your treatment options because you...
5 Things you can do, right now, to feel better
5 Things you can do, right now, to improve your quality of life: Eat two fruits every day and drink at least 32 oz. of water during the day. Decide how much liquid you can drink in one sitting, 2 oz., 4 oz., etc. Do you like it cold, room temperature, iced, hot, add...
Are you a caregiver and don’t know it?
Many people are caregivers and they don’t even know it… Do you take on responsibilities for your aging parent that they can no longer handle? If you do any of the following, you are a caregiver! Grocery shop Make doctor’s appointments See that they get to the grocery...
Do you have your list ready?
Do you have your list ready? You are in the midst of caring for your loved one and you haven’t slept much, you can’t remember the last time that you had a “real” meal and maybe you haven’t even been to your own home in two or three days. You are overwhelmed,...
Are your meds hurting you, helping you or doing nothing at all?
Right Meds, Right Dose, Right Person, Right Now List of most common medications are listed below. Are you tired of the trial and error method on your prescription medications? Are you ready to know what will work and what won’t work? Are you ready to invest in...
Are you experiencing Compassion Fatigue?
Are you experiencing Compassion Fatigue? If you are a caregiver or seeing that your loved one is being taken care of…you may be in my tribe. I learned a new phrase today, Compassion Fatigue. We always hear about “caregiver burnout,” but I had never heard the phrase...
Do you know the one thing that gets you in to the most trouble?
Do you know the one thing that gets you in to the most trouble? It can cause us to go to war with our spouses or significant others and not even know why. It causes hurt, confusion, anger, and even the silent treatment. That one thing is Assume. We all do it. We look...
Conflicting Feelings of a Caregiver
We have heard it, possibly said it and probably thought it … “My mom is killing me!” You know what I mean and if you don’t then this article is not for you. She is not literally killing you, but frustrating the hell out of you. You have all of these things running...
5 Tips for Aging in Place
5 Tips for Aging in Place Get Organized Prioritize List Your Resources Assess Needs Prepare a Proactive Plan Most of us want to stay at home until we die. We want our independence and our familiar surroundings for as long as possible. Some of us will...
Are your pain medications helping you or hurting you?
Are your medications helping you, hurting you, or just plain not working for you at all? Most of us have experienced it ourselves or know of someone who has made the statement that a certain medication just did not work for them. What do you do then? Call your doctor...
Self-care Is NOT Selfish
Can I really do self-care for myself? You hear a lot about self-care and how we should all be making that a priority in our lives. If you are a caregiver, you hear it even more. When you are in the middle of being a caregiver, “take care of yourself first,”...
Resolutions and Why You Just Don’t Need That Stress
Resolutions, You Just Don’t Need That Kind of Stress in Your Life I know, I know, it is New Year’s Eve and it everyone is asking you what your resolutions are for the coming year. I don’t have any and come to think of it, I never have been one to make them. I have...
Subtle Signs Aging Parents Need Help
Some subtle signs that may indicate your parent needs help at home: Spoiled food that doesn't get thrown away Check the refrigerator for expired food, grime and mold Multiple jars of the same food in varying states Weight Loss Pots that are burned on the...
Can Caregiving Be A Positive Experience?
Can Caregiving Be A Positive Experience? Some say, Yes; and some say, No. I say, it depends. Let’s think about this for a few minutes. Do you know your own personality type and tendencies? If you know how you tend to act and react to stressful situations that will...
Relieving Holiday Stress
Relieving Holiday Stress The holidays are fun, exciting, exhausting, maddening, time challenging, overwhelming, full of unmet expectations and family drama. For the most part we enjoy the get togethers with family and friends; we don’t enjoy all the stress that comes...
Dehydration, It’s Not All About Thirst…
Did you know that dehydration has almost nothing to do with feeling thirsty? A 60-year old man was starting to forget little things and he would start a project, but would not finish it… Now, some family members thought that it might be the beginnings of...