Alzheimer’s Disease

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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How to Ask the Right Questions Before Becoming A Caregiver

Leave a Comment / Alzheimer's Disease, Care Partners, Dementia, End of Life, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Long-Term-Care, Stress /

    Eric thought he cared for his elderly Dad.      Since Eric’s mother had died, he visited once a week, got him groceries, made sure his prescriptions were refilled and took him for appointments. Once in a while, they’d go to a sporting event together. If you asked him how his dad was

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Practical Ways to Turn Helplessness into Independence

2 Comments / Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety, Care Partners, Community, Depression, Elderhood, Exercise, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Loneliness, Mental Health, Purpose, Respect /

     Unlike most of the female population, I hate shopping. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say I hate going into stores, because Amazon and I have an “up close and personal” relationship. But there is one store that will get me out of the house in a minute–my local garden centre.       As

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How to Celebrate the Personhood of the Person with Dementia

Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety, Care Partners, Community, Dementia, Elderhood, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Mental Health, Purpose, Respect /

“Each person with dementia is a person first. They are the person they were, the person they are and the person they are becoming. They may lose abilities with the disease, but they retain their personhood. This must be at the centre of our understanding, and the foremost thought in every interaction.”  Ann Peachman Stewart

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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 Make Your Summer Celebrations Sparkle by Including Elders

Ageism, Alzheimer's Disease, Care Partners, Celebration, Dementia, Exercise, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Respect /

   Everything in me, body and soul, yearns for this time of year. The green grass, the budding trees, the garden. Maybe you don’t love spring with quite the same fervour, but most people look forward to the many celebrations and get-togethers of summer. It’s time to shed the layers and have some fun.    

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Looking for the Unmet Need in Supporting Elders With Dementia

Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety, Behavioural Disturbances, Care Partners, Chronic Pain, Dementia, Family and Care, Interventions, Loneliness, Mental Health /

    Gladys continually tried to escape her facility. Even though she lived in a pleasant environment with caring staff, good food and a variety of activities, she used every opportunity she could find to get away. Staff were at their wit’s end, and her family worried that she would hurt herself or get lost

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How to Help Your Elder With Dementia Negotiate Anxiety

Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety, Behavioural Disturbances, Care Partners, Community, Dementia, Family and Care, Mental Health, Respect /

   “I can’t stay for dinner. Daddy’s expecting me at home. Momma will miss me. I have to go.”      Laura’s agitation escalated as she squirmed in her wheelchair. A deep frown creased her face and she continued wringing her hands.       Laura lived in our TLC, an area of our home for

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9 Reasons Why Your Elder With Dementia Might Be Struggling

Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety, Behavioural Disturbances, Care Partners, Community, Dementia, Depression, Family and Care, Independence/Choice, Interventions, Respect, Stress /

     “He’s coming again.” The care partner passing my desk said the words as if commenting on the weather, or telling me she was going for lunch. I knew exactly what she meant.      George loved to wander in his wheelchair, and if he made it past my desk, he would create havoc

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