Age-Related Memory Loss

How to Find Your Way When It’s Time to Move to Long-Term-Care

Leave a Comment / Age-Related Memory Loss, Care Partners, Community, Dementia, Elderhood, Falls, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Long-Term-Care, Purpose, Respect /

This is the third in a series about a man who didn’t prepare with his father for his caregiving journey, and how he navigated it. Read the first blog here: https://smallmiracles.online/how-to-ask-the-right-questions-before-becoming-a-caregiver/ and the second blog here: https://smallmiracles.online/a-caregivers-journey-finding-a-way-when-you-dont-make-a-plan/ Eric and his dad developed a routine when he returned from rehab. Because Dad came home to familiar territory, his […]

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A Caregiver’s Journey: Finding a Way When You Don’t Make a Plan

Leave a Comment / Age-Related Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, Care Partners, Community, Dementia, Elderhood, Exercise, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Respect, Stress /

     From last week: Eric’s caregiver journey began when his elderly father, who lived alone, fell and broke a hip and wrist. The doctor tells Eric he thinks his dad may suffer from mild dementia and suggests he gets tested.      Read last week’s blog here: https://smallmiracles.online/how-to-ask-the-right-questions-before-becoming-a-caregiver/      After meeting with the

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What I Learned About Closed Doors From an Elder with Dementia

Age-Related Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, Care Partners, Community, Dementia, Elderhood, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Mental Health, Purpose, Respect, Stress /

Maisie leaned on her tip-toes to peek out the window at the top of the door. A tiny bird of a woman, she clung to her walker for balance. Thin grey hair, heavy brogues and tartan skirt and jacket, she presented the perfect picture of an elderly Scottish lady out for a stroll. She was

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How to Plan Summer Family Celebrations Which Include Your Elder

Age-Related Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety, Behavioural Disturbances, Care Partners, Celebration, Community, Dementia, Elderhood, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Interventions, Love, Respect, Stress, Support /

    Some memories are all about the emotions. It was 50 years ago, but the anger and indignity I felt still surface.      As a kid, I’d loved family reunions. Usually held beside water, I could swim, run around with the three cousins who were close to my age and snack all day

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How to Find and Celebrate the Person Behind a Dementia Diagnosis

Age-Related Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, Care Partners, Dementia, Depression, Elderhood, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Mental Health /

My parents both had many siblings, so when we got together for a family picnic, the aunts, uncles and cousins were everywhere. We’d gathered at a local park, and plates of salads and desserts filled the wooden picnic tables. One of the uncles stood barbecuing hot dogs nearby. Happy chaos ensued.      Until it

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How to Lower Your Risk of an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis.

Age-Related Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, Care Partners, Dementia, Elderhood, Exercise, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Interventions, Loneliness, Medical Care, Mental Health, Nutrition /

     When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in her mid-fifties, the disease and all that went with it was a huge cloud of doubt to me. It was 1975, and not as much was known about the disease. There weren’t the supports for family, and we didn’t have the internet to do research.

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When Should I Worry? When Forgetfulness Becomes a Problem

Age-Related Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, Care Partners, Dementia, Elderhood, Family and Care, Interventions /

    There are words whose spelling trips me up every single time. It’s like I have a mental block about them, and it drives me nuts. Why can’t I learn them and put this behind me?      Diarrhea.      Nutrition.                        

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How to Remember When You Are Prone to Forget

Age-Related Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, Care Partners, Dementia, Elderhood, Exercise, Family and Care /

Can you relate? You open the fridge door and stare inside, searching for a clue. You came in the kitchen for something, and you think it’s in the fridge, but what was it? You look everywhere for your phone, only to find it in the pocket of the jacket you’re wearing. You hear yourself saying,

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How to Recognize Caregiver Guilt

1 Comment / Age-Related Memory Loss, Anxiety, Care Partners, Depression, Elderhood, Family and Care, Guilt, Stress /

Mary’s care partner came to me looking frustrated. “I don’t know what to do. Every drawer and cupboard and extra space is stuffed full, and today Tim came in with more presents for her. She was delighted, but I have no idea where to put them!”  I smiled. Although it was a lovely problem to

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How Creativity Opens New Worlds for Elders with Dementia

Age-Related Memory Loss, Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety, Care Partners, Community, Dementia, Depression, Elderhood, Mental Health, Purpose /

Barbara had a bad attitude her entire life, and it didn’t improve when she struggled with dementia. Snarky, sometimes mean, but also needy and wanting all the attention all the time, she’d always looked after herself. Now she couldn’t, and she wasn’t gracious about it. Even her dementia didn’t stop her from making snide remarks

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