Columns

Dignity diminished Alzheimer’s disease has a way of robbing a person’s dignity. Given enough time, it strips away what is basic to our loved one’s personality, including the very characteristics associated with dignity. It replaces their normal reserve, appearance, language, and seriousness of manner with odd behavior that is…

I recently discovered this article celebrating Mother’s Day and found it to be an enjoyable read because it rings true for me. Honest Abe earned his nickname All of us tend to be sentimental about our moms. Inspired by wonderful mothers, many of us could write 100 quotes of…

Caregivers are often isolated. This may be particularly true of those who provide care for loved ones in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. As it progresses, patients are less likely to get out and about. Every day they lose a little bit of their freedom, and that seclusion…

Caring for a loved one as they battle dual terminal illnesses can be overwhelming, an experience filled with sadness, so I was thrilled when my aunt said that she was coming to town to visit for the weekend. I imagined the two sisters bonding over old memories…

A recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins University indicates that caregivers aren’t nearly as susceptible to poor health as once believed, as providing care has no more significance on a caregiver’s immune system than any other job. For years, caregivers have seen studies that reached the opposite conclusion, that…

Caring for someone with dementia as they lose independence is challenging, especially when the loved one is your parent. Parents are accustomed to guiding their children throughout their lives. When the roles are reversed, it is often difficult for both the patient and the caregiver. Knowing when to assist…

When my mom was diagnosed with terminal uterine cancer, she was displeased to say the least. Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease just after witnessing her mother pass away from the terrifying disease in 2014 did not exactly bring out the sunshine, either. But she suddenly saw…

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that nearly 5.8 million people in the United States have the condition. Most people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are 65 or older, but the disease is found across all age groups, including 200,000 with an early-onset diagnosis. The adage that “there’s safety…

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is much more challenging than most people realize. The stress of taking over a dementia patient’s financial and personal responsibilities, as well as managing their care is exhausting…

Alzheimer’s disease is cruel. And its cruelty is unparalleled, robbing patients and stripping entire families of what they hold dearest. Definite characteristics are associated with this mind-altering condition, one of which is an unfortunate outcome. But if you’re in the throes of the disease, you already know this. I…