Taking care of the caregivers, or caregivers taking time for themselves, becomes extremely important during the holiday season.  The task of caregiving often involved more than anyone ever imagined, as related in the AARP magazine article, Caring for the Caregiver, by Sheree Crute.
A cascade of studies in recent years has shown that caregivers stand at particular risk for a host of mental and physical illnesses, many of which have roots in stress, exhaustion, and self-neglect—symptoms some medical professionals have begun calling caregiver syndrome.
Ms. Crute’s article relates caregiver stories, how some found help, what others can do, and the statistics about …read more

Don’t think you’ll ever be interviewed?  Never say “Never!”
With Alzheimer’s so prominently in the news, caregivers and administrators may find themselves the subject of interviews.  Those who write about Alzheimer’s and caregiving often are in the news or interviewed online.
The next question…“What do I do if someone wants to interview me?”
You’ll find 5 great tips at the b5media Business Channel’s Home Biz Notes (5 Top Tips for Newspaper Interviews) with further expansion at Pimp Your Work (Top 5 Interview Tips). 
Part 3 of the Business Channel’s “Apprentice” type challenge consisted of our giving interview tips to Kay whose prototype business  supplies chef’s hats and …read more

In his post, When a Caregiver Says Goodbye to Summer, at caregivingblog.com, the author tells how he and his family gave up their summer activities (and other activities for three years) because his mother, who had dementia and lived with them, couldn’t join them.  Then he reflects whether it was the right thing to do as he and his family took less and less time for themselves. 
Our friends and family understood that we needed to get away, but they didn’t seem to understand Gram’s sad resentment at the thought of being left behind. With the power of hindsight, however, I think we …read more

According to a new article at AARP “…caregivers stand at particular risk for a host of mental and physical illnesses, many of which have roots in stress, exhaustion, and self-neglect.” The article, entitled ‘Caring for the Caregiver’, looks at the current situation facing over 20 million caregiving households in America.
The article is only one part of the comprehensive collection of caregiving information that can be found on the AARP site. Their online guide to caregiving features numerous informative articles, a caregiving message board, newsletter, and online seminars.

                   
Carol O’Dell visits us today at Alzheimer’s Notes to share her thoughts concerning Mothering Mother, a humorous and heartbreaking memoir about caring for her mother who developed Parkinson’s disease and a heart condition.  Carol faced situations many of us have in caring for a family member afflicted with Alzheimer’s.  The world of caregiving has many commonalities and brings us together to share, to cry, to laugh…and then realize, “It’s okay.  Someone else felt like this, too.  I’m not alone.”
(If you’d like to read an excerpt from Mothering Mother, visit her web site.  )
Mary Emma – People often ask …read more

Caring for a parent or spouse stricken with Alzheimer’s, a stroke, or some other medical condition  presents a challenge for family members.  Sometimes this is solved agreeably with everyone contributing their share.  In other cases, there is  great deal of controversy, often with one family member providing most of the care.
At the San Luis Obispo County website, we learn about Martha and Catherine Talavera, Siblings Take on the Challenge of Caring for Their Ailing Mother.  When their mother, Frances,  experienced several strokes and needed full time care, the sisters responded by changing their lives and all three living in Catherine’s home.  Martha …read more

Inheritances and wills have torn many families apart.  Family caregiving done for monetary reasons or money expectations can often be disappointing, when done for love can be rewarding with rich memories.
However, it’s difficult to think that way when you may have been promised something for your work, yet find the patient’s will states otherwise…a will made years before and never changed…or never was made at all.  Or you find that medical and other bills consumed anything that was left.
At the Caregivingblog.com I found an interesting post on this topic, Waiting for the Caregiver’s Reward, with an amusing twist (to us who …read more

Music is important in the Alzheimer’s world, both for the patient and for caregivers.  It’s relaxing, buoys your mood,  boosts your spirit and is something you can share.  I saw Mother, when I didn’t think she was comprehending the world around her, tap her hand on the arm of her chair to the rhythm of music.  Other nursing home residents enjoyed watching videos of old time music. 
Yvonne Russell set me thinking about music when I read her post, Whistle While You Write…7 Songs Meme, at Grow Your Writing Business blog.  Although Yvonne didn’t tag anyone for the meme (ask anyone specific to …read more

It excites me when I see young people taking an interest in Alzheimer’s disease, both from the research aspect and the caregiving role.  This would indicate to me that we are rasising a young generation who care and are concerned about others. 
When I read Liz’s post mentioning Melanie Kabinoff and her research with earthworms to aid Alzheimer’s, I was delighted that this young woman’s concern for a grandfather, who had experienced Alzheimer’s, translated itself into research which, hopefully, will aid future Alzheimer’s victims.
This reminded me of an incident involving my granddaughter several years ago when my mom was alive and residing …read more

Here’s a video well worth watching. Filmed by the grandson of an Alzheimer’s patient, it show the face of Alzheimer’s disease in a humorous, factual, and heart touching way.