A day at the Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Day Care Center at Kowloon

                                      This time of year, throughout the month of August, the “back-to-school” idea is in many people’s minds….students who will be attending school of some type, parents involved in getting them ready, and caregivers  juggling school schedules and caring for Alzheimer’s grandparents.
This will involve more planning and scheduling for caregivers of the sandwich generation as their generally flexible or relaxed days of summer disappear and they coexist with school schedules.  And Grandma or Grandpa may have no idea of schedule, needing attention just when school activities and homework also require your time.
When I cared for my mom, I had no children at home.  However, those …read more

Getting people with Alzheimer’s disease to eat is often a battle. As a result, they often fall below their optimum weight. But now it seems that Swedish researchers have discovered the means of increasing the weight of people with Alzheimer’s disesae.
Their three month study focused on whether increased staff training and a more supportive environment would result in increased weight in patients with moderate and severe dementia.
The results concluded that weight gain can occur in Alzheimer’s patients by:
- improving communication and patient involvement
- altering meal routines
- providing a more homely environment
The results of this study have been published in the …read more

“Mother, you’ll like it once you get there.  They have breakfast waiting for you.”
Mother lagged behind, petting her cat, taking off her hat and gloves, stopping to look at a magazine on the table while I stuffed her extra sweater, a change of underwear, and a magazine into the tote bag. Finally we were in the car and heading to the nearby nursing home that also offered day care.
When Mother was no longer able to care for herself, Jim and I moved her from New York State to our home in New Hampshire.  However, I was a substitute teacher and …read more

Caregivers become so involved in looking after their family member, they often neglect themselves.  To endure for the long haul, whether their family member is living with them, in his/her own home, or in a nursing home, they must care for themselves as well.
Consider these suggestions:
1.Realize you can’t do everything and be everything.
2. Realize you can’t solve your family member’s every problem and make them happy all the time.
3. Take time for yourself.
4. Take time for your family, independent of the Alzheimer’s patient.
5. Smile and develop a sense of humor.  “We don’t laugh enough,” my mom once remarked to me.
6.Find day …read more

Caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia can be very demanding and usually is something we’re not trained for.  Too many caregivers don’t give themselves a break and wear themselves out. 
As a caregiver, we need to learn to care for ourselves.
*Find time for yourself even if it’s just a walk around the neighborhood while hubby, a neighbor, sister, or children stay with Mom or Dad.  Perhaps it’s an afternoon with your quilting group or book discussion group.
*Find time for your family, exclusive of your parent. 
*Find daycare for your parent.  Inquire at the local hospital, nearby nursing …read more