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.”
September 20, 2019 Columns by Ray Burow

Effective Responses to the Problem of Elder Abuse

For millions of Americans, elder abuse is an unfortunate consequence of aging. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) estimates that one in 10 seniors ages 60 and older have been abused in the U.S. Physical abuse is just one form of mistreatment that some elderly people endure in this…

September 13, 2019 Columns by Ray Burow

Taking a Look at the Cognitive Assessment Disconnect

In the time that it takes to read the first few paragraphs of this column, someone in the United States will develop Alzheimer’s disease. One person in the U.S. develops the illness every 65 seconds, according to a 2019 report. The Alzheimer’s Association indicates that…

August 16, 2019 Columns by Ray Burow

Caregiving Tasks Fluctuate between Urgent and Necessary

One of the greatest privileges of my life was to care for my mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease. However, I was constantly fighting an internal battle. A feeling of inadequacy always bubbled beneath the surface. Many caregivers fight similar battles. This is why I wrote the following, which is…

August 9, 2019 Columns by Ray Burow

Self-talk Your Way to a Positive Outlook

Have you heard the saying, “Talking to yourself is OK as long as you don’t expect a response”? Most of us do it, and I believe that self-talk is particularly prevalent among caregivers. I am an audible self-talker, whispering declarations and questions to no one in particular. And I’ll admit…

July 12, 2019 Columns by Ray Burow

An Aging Population Creates Caregiver Fatigue

Caregivers of a certain age may remember the late comedienne Lucille Ball’s “Vitameatavegamin“ sketch. The famous, very funny redhead asks: “Are you tired, rundown, listless? Do you poop out at parties?” For most caregivers, the answer is a resounding “yes,” perhaps especially for those who care for loved ones…

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