Closet Disease
Keeping one’s illness, when it involved mental or emotional conditions, “in the closet” was common when I was growing up.  You only whispered about someone’s mental disorders.  Families tried to keep that person at home, while not literally “in a closet,” figuratively so.
You tried not to talk about Aunt Mollie who laughed at inappropriate times, wore her clothes backward, took walks in the middle of the night, or held conversations with people of the past.  Perhaps she even had to spend some time in a mental institution and have “shock” treatment, the common way of dealing with mental and …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com

How you feel about yourself may have an effect on your feeling overburdened and overwhelmed as you care for your Alzheimer’s family member.  Even caregivers in nursing homes and hospitals can get burnout. 
According to an article at qimr.edu.au and Alzheimer’s Daily News, a recent study revealed the factors determining carer burden lay not in the severity of dementia among sufferers, but instead on caregivers’ feelings about themselves.
Become involved in activities that will help boost your confidence.  Find ways to relieve your stress.  Read books and listen to music that will raise your spirits.
What do you do to feel better about yourself?  Do …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com

So often we don’t know where to turn when Alzheimer’s becomes a reality with a family member.  We’ve heard of the condition, but haven’t paid too much attention until it hits a family member or friend and we’re caught in the caregiver role or supporting a caregiver.
More resources are available nowadays than when my mom and aunt developed Alzheimer’s.  I wanted to learn all I could to better understand what they were going through, to help them,  and to cope myself because I ended up the main caregiver for both.  Today, one of the resources you have available is …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com

We have a winner for the Glass Full of Tears Giveaway, associated with the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival.  A copy of the book is on its way to her.
Kristen  mentions in her comment:
My first job ever was working in a Nursing Home. I saw many different faces of Alzheimer’s and dementia while working there- the good, the bad, and the incredibly sad. But also the very wonderful!
Thanks, Kristen, for entering the giveaway and for sharing your experience.  Alzheimer’s is all of what you mention…and if you let yourself look beyond the sad and and not so good, you will see the very …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com

Are you watching the Olympics?  With Michael Phelps setting Olympic records, swimming will be taking a “front seat” in sports.  More youngsters likely will want to become involved in swimming lessons and events.
If you have youngsters in your caregiver’s household, you may find their interest sparked by the Olympics competitions.  Are you all interested in learning more about swimming?
Here are a few books about swimming for entertainment and instruction.
The Boy Who Wouldn’t Swim
Sergio Makes a Splash
Learn to Swim
Adam Sharp, Swimming with Sharks (a mystery)
Freestyle Made Easy
Mark Spitz: The Extraordinary Life of an Olympic Champion
Golden Girl: How Natalie Coughlin Fought Back
(Amazon …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com

Finding opportunities for summer fun (vacations, days at the beach, barbeques with friends, attending the latest movie) often seem limited for Alzheimer’s caregivers.  They’re tied to the home caring for a person they find it difficult to take out with them.  Or it requires a great deal of work to plan and accomplish, whether you’re arranging for care when you’re away or taking them along.
*Plan more backyard and at-home activities that the Alzheimer’s patient can watch (or stay in their room if they desire).  More people are aware of Alzheimer’s disease and are more accepting of someone with Alzheimer’s than …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
I was asked, in a recent comment on a post,  what a daughter should do when her elderly father, who had broken a leg and was in a nursing home, acted like a zombie.  That previous post concerned overmedication, with a link from a post by Liz Lewis.  I had related an experience with my mom.
Since I’m not trained in the medical field nor know the complete situation with the lady’s dad, I don’t want to give suggestions that will steer her in the wrong direction. So I’ll suggest places one  might go for answers.
*Have you talked with his doctor to see why this amount of medication …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
Do you refuse to let siblings and others care for your parent or spouse because you think there will be negative effects?
Do you complain about the stress and strain of caring for an Alzheimer’s family member, yet won’t look into respite care and continually find reasons why it won’t work?
In other words…Are You a Caregiver Martyr?
You may not be aware that you are.  You may think only you can care for this person.  Yes, they may complain if you change their routine, if you aren’t at their “beck and call” or leave them with someone else for awhile. 
However, take stock of …read more

If you liked yesterday’s guest post by Dr. Christina Lasich’s on Three Tips for Avoiding Caregiver Injuries, then you’re going to love this book giveaway.
Dr. Lasich is offering one lucky Alzheimer’s Notes reader a free copy of High Heels to Hormones: A Woman’s Guide to Spine Care.
All you have to do is leave a comment by end of day Friday 25th June and the great random number selector will choose the winner. 
And while you’re waiting for the winner to be selected, head over to Healthbolt and read my book review about this useful little book. And while you’re there, leave comment for …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
 Ever wish you could take a nap during the day, when lack of sleep overwhelms you? Yet you feel guilty if you do.  Or your Alzheimer’s patient doesn’t remain napping if you try to catch forty winks at the same time?
Today, if someone else watches your patient or they nap, too,  you also can take a “power nap” with a clear conscience, according to Yvonne Russell’s post at Home Biz Notes, Happy National Siesta Day. There she lists the benefits of a 10-120 minute nap.
So Happy Napping!!
Maybe you’ll find it so beneficial you’ll squeeze in power naps other days as well.
(Amazon image; click …read more