Family Caregiving

Family dynamics may increase the complexities of caregiving. Having a plan in place will help decrease stress levels for everyone.

Can having positive thoughts about aging be a partial cure to Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Just because someone is past a certain age and having problems with short term memory does not necessarily mean they have a dementia.

When should you plan for such a move?  How do you do it? How do you choose a memory care facility, and what will be the cost?

Full time caregiving of someone with a dementia is not an easy road, but there are steps you can take to avoid burnout.

Understanding the brain and how it is impaired with the progression of dementia helps families understand dementia behaviors and find strategies that respect dignity and reduce stress.

Anyone with this diagnosis can work on some lifestyle changes that can help them function better now and if they are on a path of a progressive illness like Alzheimer’s disease, work can be done on building cognitive reserve or new brain cells called neurogenesis.

If you or a friend is a “solo senior” without family, it is very important to do some good planning for your next steps and those “what if’s” of a longer life, including considerations for housing, healthcare, and personal safety.

Not all memory loss is dementia. Getting a good diagnosis will help the family with whatever journey they are to face.

Early in my career, I developed the “Dos and Don’ts” on communicating with someone who has memory loss. As I recently reviewed those items, I realized expanding upon my suggestions of how to communicate to reduce behavioral issues could also help the individual with a memory challenge feel heard.