The results from my latest poll on Alzheimer’s Notes indicates that a wide majority of  people would write about their experiences as an Alzheimer’s caregiver for a family member.  Eighty-six percent responded that they would; no one said no; no one voted that they’d write if it could be done anonymously; Fourteen percent were undecided.
More caregivers and family members have become more open about this disease as it affects a family member or close friend.  They are willing to share and to seek information.  More resources have become available.
Why write?  I think my next poll will ask some questions on this …read more

At this time of year, as we approach the holiday season, Alzheimer’s caregivers often feel overwhelmed…with work, caregiving, and memories of pre-Alzheimer’s days.  I’ve gone back through the Alzheimer’s Notes archives to find a few posts that hopefully will offer you encouragment and inspiration or provide resources for you.
*Alzheimer’s Caregivers Find Encouragement in Blogs & Blogging
*Alzheimer’s Caregivers Often Feel Alone
*Our “Shrinking” World for Alzheimer’s Information & Friendships
*With the Hopelessness Can Come Joy in Alzheimer’s
*Carol O’Dell, Author of MOTHERING MOTHER, Visits Alzheimer’s Notes
     

Carol O’Dell, author of Mothering Mother, mentioned Alzheimer’s Notes on her blog, Mothering Mother and More.  I interviewed her here, on September 14,  during her blog tour.
At her blog, Carol said she was pleased I asked her what it was like after her mother passed away and how she handled grief and the transition period.  She explores this topic in more detail at Mothering Mother and More.  She also touched upon it when leaving a comment at my blog post.
So many people don’t want to deal with this.  Instead, they try to forget all that happened when their parent or spouse …read more

                   
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

This week at Alzheimer’s Notes, we’re having two guests.
Monday, Sept. 10, Yvonne Russell , from Grow Your Writing Business, will write a guest post.  After I posted, Would You Like to Open a Home-Based Alzheimer’s Bookstore,  there were questions regarding the establishment of one.  So Yvonne is answering some of those in her post.
On Friday, September 14, I shall interview author Carol Odell.  She wrote the book, Mothering Mother, and is on a virtual blog tour this month. 
Incidentally, Carol is running a contest connected with her blog tour.  Learn more about this and how you can enter by visiting her web …read more

Yvonne Russell, of Grow Your Writing Business,  asked me to write a guest post, Virtual Blog Tours – The Latest Innovation for Promoting Your Writing .  Going on a virtual blog tour has become a popular technique for promoting one’s writing business and books.  I’ve hosted a number of writers at my author blog, Mary Emma’s Potpourri of Writing and encourage writers to try this method of promotion.
I also wrote about this topic here on Alzheimer’s Notes to let writers of Alzheimer’s books know they could become involved in virtual blog tours, too.  In fact, Carol O’Dell,  author of Mothering Mother, will visit Alzheimer’s Noteson Septemeber 14 during her …read more