When a family member is diagnosed with a progressive dementia, it is challenging not only for the “patient” but even more so for the entire family system. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s impact everyone in the family and sometimes in the community (if the person doesn’t have family).
Those who oversee the care of someone with a [...]
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Why does the spouse try to do it all without hiring help or allowing others to assist? Is it the “for better or worse” vows of the marriage ceremony? Is it that they are fearful they will be judged by others if they share the care? Or, do they feel guilty if they self-care?
Spouses often [...]
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Often families try to do all the care themselves out of love or necessity – or maybe “control”. Whatever it is that causes you to be the only one caring for a dependent older adult – you need to know the importance of finding a balance and sharing the care.
Caregiver research shows that at least [...]
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Caring for another 24/7 and giving your all to one you love can be exhausting, frustrating and bring about “anger” in ways that surprise you, the family caregiver.
Asking yourself, “Was that me?”, after hearing yourself shout at someone who doesn’t understand due to a cognitive loss or dementia. Or, maybe you find yourself throwing something [...]
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This new decade will bring many of the 76 million Baby Boomers who approach retirement, with the dreams and visisons of travel, volunteerism, and enjoying family redirected and derailed, to the reality of aging parents and their increasing dependency.
It is my recommendation that every pre-retirement class, workshop or planner cover, for the aging baby boomer [...]
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I had another professional ask me if we had any personal assistants/caregivers at Eldercare that could golf. She has two men in her support group who love to golf – but because of their dementia they might slow down a serious group of golfers and their wives are not interested.
What a wonderful idea as an [...]
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