One of the most frustrating parts of Alzheimers symptoms is the lack of specific early symptoms. That is, symptoms developing before dementia. Now researchers at Washington University School of Medicine may have found an interesting link between Alzheimer’s and abnormal sleep patterns… Washington University Researchers Find Link Between Sleeplessness, Alzheimer’s ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - New research from Washington University School of Medicine shows disrupted sleep could be a sign of pending dementia. Lead researcher Yo-El Ju found that patients who had abnormal amyloid levels in their... (Read More ...)

Caregivers often underestimate the time and resources needed in becoming caregivers to elderly parents and grandparents. When Janet first became a caregiver, her parents lived independently.  Janet ran errands and took her mother shopping.  Both of them enjoyed the outings, and it did not feel like a burden to Janet. Over time, Janet’s responsibilities increased as her parents became more frail.  Her caregiving responsibilities began to affect her work, her family and even her health.  She cut back hours and travel for work so she could care for her parents.  The stress of being the... (Read More ...)

Sometimes figuring out what the doctor has just said can be challenging for the caregiver. Even sometimes when you are coming out of the doctor’s office. When the doctor told Tom his wife had dementia, his first thought was , “Thank Goodness it’s not Alzheimer’s.”  Only after the doctor explained that Alzheimer’s was still a possibility and why, did Tom understand his wife could have Alzheimer’s. This post I wrote recently for family caregivers explains the difference between dementia vs Alzheimer’s. If you’re wondering about the difference between... (Read More ...)

The “sandwich generation” is a term used to describe the generation caring for children and parents.  It can also be applied to those caring for grandchildren and parents, or children and grandchildren. Basically those with caregiving responsibilities for someone in a generation older and one younger than themselves.  The caregiver is sandwiched between care needing generations. More baby boomers are finding themselves in this predicament.  Finding themselves in the role of caregiver to elderly parents. When her sister died unexpectedly, Linda became caregiver for their parents, Joyce and... (Read More ...)

One of the loneliest times my family faced in caregiving occurred when our caregiver stress peaked; when enrolling my mother in hospice.  Finding a hospice in our rural area was a challenge.  When I found a possibility, they wanted a referral from my mother’s doctor. Unfortunately he had left the practice, and the nurse practitioner would not approve hospice without my mother coming to the office for an exam.  And she would not make house calls. Hello? If Mother could come the office we would not have been seeking hospice! Every day caregivers face similar or worse predicaments.  Feeling... (Read More ...)

The editors of Healthline.com nominated ‘Caregiving With Purpose’ for their “Best Health Blog of 2012” contest. This is recognition for the quality of the information in the blog and for the needs of caregivers. Think this doesn’t affect you? Then consider this… “There are only four kinds of people in the world - Those who have been caregivers Those who currently are caregivers Those who will be caregivers, And those who will need caregivers.” - Rosalynn Carter Number 4 could also be written “And those who have needed, need now or will need caregivers.” Caregiving... (Read More ...)

When I think of the folks I know and knew who lived into their 90s and never developed Alzheimer’s symptoms or dementia, I think of those who remain active and happy. Lonely? They never showed it.  One of my aunts lived to age 93, and was active in her community – the senior living center she lived in.  She made ornaments for their Christmas bazaar up until shortly before her death.  And she remained active in her bridge club and other social activities. A few months before she passed, she told me how sad going to the cemetery had become.  Too many friends and family – often... (Read More ...)

The holidays can be especially stressful for caregivers. The added work of holiday events and traditions can add to an already overwhelmed plate.  And often holidays are bittersweet, because it is a time for remembering. This week I found myself needing some words of encouragement.  December has always been a time of memories for me, including memories of caregiver stress.  If I’m not careful, I find myself wallowing in unpleasant memories of those who made their final journey Home in December.  And just when it those memories hit, I realized my Camellia plant is in bloom! The fragile... (Read More ...)

When President Ronald Reagan first declared November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, there were less than 2 million persons in the U.S. with Alzheimers Disease. Today, there are 5.4 million.  That’s more than a 170% increase!  And it means 1 in 8 persons over the age of 65 has it. Alzheimer’s Disease is now the 6th cause of death in the U.S.  And according to the Alzheimer’s Association, the only one that has no – Cure… Prevention or… Way to slow its progression. Wow. More sobering statistics are that about 1 in 10 grandparents has... (Read More ...)

Alzheimer s Disease: Do You Know November is National  Alzheimer’s Disease  Awareness Month? It’s entirely possible that you know someone with Alzheimer’s Disease.  The numbers of people affected is staggering.  The first person I knew diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease was an uncle.  I remember him as a kind gentle man who was quiet and always immaculately dressed.  Sadly, I also know what Alzheimer’s did to him as it stole his memories, judgement and eventually his personality.  And how it hurt not only him but his family. You probably know someone who was... (Read More ...)