For several months, we’ve seen groups proclaiming their rights for equal treatment under the law and by others. While I strongly disagree with the violence displayed in asserting those rights, I agree with the message.
Caregiver Discrimination Read More »
Why Someone has Suicidal Thoughts Most people start having suicidal thoughts when they are desperate to escape suffering that has become unbearable. The individual who chooses suicide as their only option feels self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation. The unfortunate truth is that they can’t see any other way out of their situation other than
Handling Feelings of Depression Having feelings of depression affects millions of people. Both the caregiver and the care receiver suffer from depression in many situations. Attempting to care for someone who feels depressed while feeling that way is particularly difficult. If this describes your life, I encourage you to seek help from a qualified professional rather than
Feelings of Depression Read More »
Coping with Anger and Aggression Many family caregivers provide care to family members who have dementia (i.e., someone with memory loss), either as their main reason for needing care or as one of many reasons. Caregivers and dementia patients often struggle with anger and aggression arguments. Unexplained Anger When we think of someone being angry
Anger and Aggression Read More »
Sundowning Sundowning Confusion Starts in the Early Afternoon Sundowning comes by its name because it’s a behavior seen in many dementia patients around the time the sun goes down each day in the late afternoon or evening. In most cases, symptoms are less pronounced earlier in the day. However, as the day progresses toward nighttime,
Hallucinations and Delusions Seem Real Hallucinations and delusions can both occur with mental illness, including dementia (Alzheimer’s.) In fact, some people even hallucinations or delusions with infections, after anesthesia, with serious illnesses, or as a side effect of medications. Therefore, you can’t assume that if your family member doesn’t have a mental
Hallucinations and Delusions Read More »
Last year, my husband asked me to help him arrange a baptism ceremony at our home. Though baptized as a child, he wanted to supplement his childhood understanding with a reaffirmation of adult faith.
Baptizing Someone Immobile Read More »
Factors Influencing Emotional Acceptance What are the many factors that influence the emotional acceptance of a caregiver to their new role? Among those influences is whatever caused them to become a caregiver in the first place. Emotions have a powerful influence on how an individual perceives their environment and their circumstances. They shape a
What Factors Influence Emotional Acceptance? Read More »
Care Agreements Are a Good Idea Ensuring everyone expects the same outcomes is a good idea whenever you ask someone to work for you. Assuming everyone interprets comments the same can lead to big misunderstandings. Therefore, writing up a care agreement is a good idea if you hire someone to care for a family member,
The Care Recipient Always Has Final Decision-Making Authority Provided Competency Is Present Determining who has authority and the right to final decision-making is often unclear. The person receiving care always maintains final decision-making authority over his care, as long as he remains competent. However, other family members may want to have a say in the
Determining Who Has Authority Read More »
Daily, the news carries reports of another state entering Phase One of returning to normal following the massive shutdown of the country to protect the vulnerable population from the Coronavirus. At this point, I think most, if not all, states have reopened markets that are not high-risk.
Now That You’re out of Quarantine, Don’t forget those Left behind Read More »
Caregivers never take a break because though they may not be physically present, mentally, they do not let go of their responsibilities. Relaxation is extremely difficult for a lifetime family caregiver because being “on” and ready to respond in an instant is a part of their innermost being. They do not have an off switch.
A Lifetime of Family Caregiving Read More »
