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articles about Dementia

  • Debbie Newsham

    A EUREKA MOMENT: 2006 FIRST PRIZE WINNER

    Read this prize-winning story about how a personal breakthrough helped a third-generation caregiver cope and succeed. Then, go to "Talk About a Eureka Moment" in the Encounters with Caregivers blog to read how this story saved another caregiver's life and gave her hope to carry on.

  • POSITIVE IMPACT

    2007 "Give a Caregiver a Break" essay contest runner-up

  • Judy Martin and Dad

    THE FINANCIAL FIX

    Judy Martin is racking up a lot of frequent-flyer miles. Not by taking exotic vacations, either. Instead, this 63-year-old grandmother flies every six weeks from her Texas home to California to assist her ailing, aged father. These trips began last year when Judy became concerned that her dad seemed increasingly disorganized and confused. But when Judy asked him about his finances and he couldn’t provide a reasonable answer, she knew it was time to act…. Click here to read more.

  • Decarol Randle

    THE “GO TO” GIRL: 2006 FIRST PRIZE WINNER

    I had lived in Atlanta for nearly 17 years when I found myself having to move to Portland, Oregon, to take care of my mother, who was diagnosed with dementia in August 2005.

  • HOW I DO IT

    2007 "Give a Caregiver a Break" essay contest runner-up

  • ALZHEIMER'S: A CAREGIVER CONVERSATION CHECKLIST

    Even under the most optimal at-home care circumstances, a long-term care facility may be able to offer a more safe and comfortable environment for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Now, the Alzheimer’s Association has created a checklist of talking points and helpful hints to begin a series of relevant conversations with your family, fellow caregivers and the person with Alzheimer’s. Click here to read more.

  • ALZHEIMER'S: A Little Training, a Lot of Progress

    How trained support helps those caring for people with dementia

  • ALZHEIMER'S: Keeping Calm Counts

    Discovering a caregiver's most important asset

  • HOW TO KEEP LIFE IN BALANCE

  • SHARE THE CARE

    When creating a caregiving team, you need the Team Leader, the Assistant Coordinator, the Researcher, the Arranger, the Experienced Caregiver, the Chief Cook and Bottlewasher, the Creative Type, the One with a Special Skill, the Shopper, the Handyman, the Driver...the list goes on. And when all work in a coordinated effort, the result is stress-reduced caregiving. So how do you put together such a team? Click here and find out.

  • THE PROMISE

    "Promise you'll never put me in a nursing home." How many of us have been lassoed by that demand? Is it a promise we're obligated to obey? Or is it one that shouldn't be asked? Click here to read how caregivers like you have handled this dilemma.

  • ALZHEIMER'S: When Finding Aid is a SNAP

    The Alzheimer's Association and SNAPforSeniors have made life easier for Alzheimer's caregivers. That's because of their November 2007 launch of the first national dementia-specific senior-housing database—the Senior Housing Finder on www.alz.org. It's aim is...Click here to read more.

  • Caring Today's Caregiver Library

    Check out these books, videos and CDs aimed at helping caregivers. New items are constantly being added, so check back often to find ways to increase your confidence and knowledge of specific diseases and self-care.

  • MAY: This Month's Resource List

    From allergies and asthma to osteporosis, mental health and much more, the issues of note this month are wide ranging and important to many of you. Check out these links for information to help you as a caregiver.

  • CAREGIVER SUPPORT

    Q. I recently refilled my mother’s prescription and found that she had previously been given pills that were half the dosage of what had been prescribed—even though the pharmacist’s label indicated the vial’s contents were what had been prescribed. How do I prevent such a potentially tragic mistake in the future?

  • FINANCE

    Q. I applied for Social Security disability almost a year ago, and I was told my hearing is still pending. Are there any shortcuts or ways to deal with such a delay?

  • CARE RECIPIENT HEALTH

    Q. My mom has long appeared to be severely depressed but won’t talk about getting help from doctors or medication. How can I bring my concerns to her doctor and get her doctor to discuss it with her without her knowing I did this?

  • CAREGIVER HEALTH

    Q. As the stress over caring for my folks increases, I seem to increasingly suffer short-term memory loss. Is this normal? What can I do about it?

  • COMMUNICATION

    Q. When I go to my elderly father's home, I find "free" stuff he's ordered. He explains he gets this stuff when he orders a magazine or the like, and upon canceling the subscription, he keeps the premium for nothing. But it doesn't appear as if he's canceling anything. Is this common behavior? How can I get him to stop?

  • Savages

    CARING TODAY CAREGIVER CINEMA

    With their recent success both at the box office and as recipients of major awards, Away from Her and The Savages have brought caregiving to the top of hot-topic lists. But these aren't the first films about caregiving, nor will they be the last. Click here for 20 movie favorites that might teach you something about caregiving, sometimes provide you with a smile and certainly entertain you.

  • Communication

    Q. My mom has early-stage dementia and it’s becoming unsafe for her to live at home alone. My husband and I think it’s best for her to move in with us, but how can we be sure? What should I consider before approaching her with this idea?

  • FEAR OF FALLING

    If a person is paralyzed by a fear of falling due to age, injury or ailment, the burden on the caregiver can be that much harder. So, what do you do?

  • GARDEN THERAPY

    Creating a garden with the person you care for can help more than the flowers grow. It's therapy that can make your relationship blossom.

  • HEALING WITH MUSIC

    How song can be a powerful caregiver tool

  • FILLING IN THE MEMORY GAP

    A granddaughter gives her grandfather a journal to fill with memories and family history. They all enjoy time together learning fun new stories.

  • TIME FOR YOU THURSDAY

    Looking for a way to relax and have some fun with the person in your care? Whether as a memory exercise or just as a way to de-stress, writing can work wonders. Try it. Click here to see how.

  • TUESDAY TIPS

    Been thinking of things you can get a loved one who's been devoted to providing care for someone close to you? Here are ideas to help make the holidays happy and helpful.

  • TUESDAY TIPS

    The Oscar-nominated film The Savages, about estranged adult siblings (Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman) who are reunited in their effort to care for their ailing father (Philip Bosco), recently came out on DVD. Rent it, buy it, but see it if you can. For a list of other great caregiver films, click here.

  • TUESDAY TIPS

    Communing with nature may be all it takes to calm your nerves or get you out of a mild case of the caregiver blues. Click here for easy ways to reap the healing powers of “going green."

  • WHERE TO LOOK WEDNESDAY

    Knowing how to talk to your loved one's doctor is an important step in care management. Click here for five tips to improve doctor/caregiver communication and to find where to look for further help.

  • WHERE TO LOOK WEDNESDAY

    The time it takes Social Security to act on setting up hearings for SSDI decisions can be hard for caregivers to deal with. It can take months--or years. Click here to find out what the experts advise to obtain the assistance you need.

  • WHERE TO LOOK WEDNESDAY

    Caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer's? Click here to find information that will educate you about these diseases and steer you to getting help for yourself and your loved one.