Alzheimer's Caregiver

Memories like Butterflies or Gnats  My memories usually come in one of two forms. Some are like butterflies - colorful, bright, and fluttering happily and busily through my mind. Then, of course there are the bothersome gnats - those recollections that cloud my vision, follow the scent of my past relentlessly, and have me dodging it erratically and willy-nilly as I walk down my path of memories. I love remembering the butterflies, but the brushes of their wings do not wipe off the gnats from...Read Full Story

I want to thank my new friend Dr. David Thomas for sharing these links with me and others. I invite you to visit his blog, "A Diary of a Psychiatrist with Lewy Body Dementia". His is a very personal and informative blog. I am providing links to the articles that list these signs and symptoms. Please keep in mind that no one person will exhibit all of these but they are good indicators for you to look for not only in your loved one but yourself if you are the caregiver.25 Habits Every...Read Full Story

Hello, My Boomer Friends!My name is Joanie, and I am an official Baby Boomer. In fact, my passion is my new and upbeat Baby Boomer website, FIFTY IS NIFTY.net! I would like to greet my Diva friends from The Baby Boomer Diva Hall of Fame http://www.enjoyyourmenopause.com/web_of_fame.htm, along with my dear My Space friends, http://www.myspace.com/joanwhiteheadplus, of course, my Baby Boomers buds at http://www.fiftyisnifty.net. Please see my Recommended Links below to visit my friends and...Read Full Story

We all have thing we are afraid of. Some are afraid of being alone, others of crowds, heights, the dark, driving at night etc. This is a different kind of fear.I never really gave much thought to what Alzheimer's actually does to you until my grandmother was diagnosed. Then, I started reading everything I could get my hands on. Since Alzheimer's is a symptom of dementia, there is no test you can take to see if you have it. The only real way to know is through an autopsy. Everything else is...Read Full Story

Do you know what adoration means? It means 1) the act of worship 2)profound love or regard.What comes to your mind when you think of adoration? how would you describe this word to someone?For me, I see my grandmother looking at my children. I have never seen such a look! She seems to be memorizing my son's face. He doesn't see her that often, so I am amazed that she knows him. She used to ask for him but not anymore.Sharing laughter with my daughter is another image I see. She has always...Read Full Story

There is a stomach virus making the rounds at the nursing facility my grandmother lives in. To keep it under control, they have quarantined all residents to their rooms. They are also asking that you stay away if you start exhibiting any of the symptoms.I do not know how long this will last. A week so far. I am just thankful that my grandmother has not come down with this. She is getting upset because she has to stay in her room, but I think it will be over soon and she can get out. I thought...Read Full Story

I went to see my grandmother last night. I was very glad that she felt like getting up. It was good to see her in such good spirits. Her cough is about the same in severity but the frequency of it comes and goes.The Dr. has put her on Prednisone for 10 days along with her breathing treatments for the pneumonia. Since this is a steroid, I am glad it is only for 10 days.My mom and I want to decorate her room for Easter so she can keep up with the time of year, so I found some window clings to...Read Full Story

During my grandmother's first year here, my mom bought her a doll. This was not just any doll. This is one of those collectible named dolls you see in the Sunday paper ads.Her name is Emily and she is a baby. She even smells like a baby! Real hair cloth body and some sort of plastic or silicon head, hands, and feet.So my grandmother is very attached to the doll for several weeks. Then she starts acting like it is a real baby. She kinda freaks out because the eyes don't close when she is...Read Full Story

I have not written about my grandmother in quite awhile. In this case, no news is definitely good news! She is doing really well lately. No more run ins with rude aides, she is eating well and her mind is as well as can be expected. My mother and I talk quite often about just how blessed we really are. I see people everyday who are at least 20 years younger than my grandmother and are in much worse shape. I went to see her this week and she was doing really well. She has lost about 4 pounds...Read Full Story

While most able-bodied, healthy people don’t think twice about taking a bath, for people with disabilities. or for the elderly, bathing can be a very hazardous activity. The National Safety Council says that one person in the United States dies everyday from using a bathtub or shower. Many caregivers install a waterproof wireless intercom on the wall of the bathtub where it can easily be reached. With a single press of a button on this outdoor intercom the person in the tub can carry on a...Read Full Story