Treading Dark Waters - a Column by Ray Burow

happiness, breast cancer, death, secret, disaster preparedness, support

As a former caregiver to an elderly parent who had Alzheimer’s disease, Florida-based Ray counts it a privilege to write columns discussing the day-to-day challenges associated with the onslaught of memory loss. Fighting a relentless foe, caregivers find themselves in the deep trenches, right alongside their loved ones. Her goal is to assist the caregiver on their journey by encouraging them to keep trudging through the mire of uncertainty. “I will be your harbinger of better days to come, so that you’ll know it’s possible to make it through the dark hours, and that even a difficult journey through Alzheimer’s disease can be punctuated with optimism. May you find joy on your journey.”

May 10, 2019 Columns by Ray Burow

Despite Alzheimer’s, My Mom Never Lost Sight of Motherhood

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…

May 3, 2019 Columns by Ray Burow

Caregivers Face Isolation, but You Can Find Ways to Connect

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…

April 26, 2019 Columns by Ray Burow

Good Health Is Crucial to Caregiving

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…

April 12, 2019 Columns by Ray Burow

Tips to Help Loved Ones Face an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

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…

April 5, 2019 Columns by Ray Burow