Dementia and food choices

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My loved one with dementia is now managing Type 2 diabetes. She was diagnosed prior to the pandemic. We worked with a nutritionist before medication was prescribed. She does not remember going to that appointment. Eventually her primary care prescribed medication and it helped. Then the pandemic and the assisted living facility went into lockdown. … Continue reading Dementia and food choices

I can’t control circumstances

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“Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?” asked Piglet to Pooh“Supposing it didn’t,” said Pooh after careful thought.Piglet was comforted by this. I have been a worrier all my life. It took decades to understand its impact on me and I work hard at mitigating worry. It begins with fortune telling. … Continue reading I can’t control circumstances

Compounded Cognitive Distortions

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Lately I am using "should" and "should not" statements in my thinking. I "should" know better because I have studied cognitive distortions. I know these thoughts causes me to internalize guilt and externalize anger I also manage to compound cognitive distortions. Lately I have been thinking "I should know better to not jump to conclusions, … Continue reading Compounded Cognitive Distortions

Transformation is like watching a seed grow

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As a caregiver I have found myself putting my needs low on my priority list. This is very common for caregivers. But I expect many of us have found ourselves in this position even if you are not caregiving. As a result of not taking consistent care of my needs, I am finding it harder … Continue reading Transformation is like watching a seed grow

Events of January 6th and its impact on my loved ones

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The events of January 6th in Washington DC still resonate with me but for a different reason than you may think. Actually for an additional reason. I too am appalled at the actions of many. As I draft this post, my stomach is knotting up again. For five years I have been to Washington DC … Continue reading Events of January 6th and its impact on my loved ones

Executive Function and Dementia

Executive function is the high level thinking skills that control the low level cognitive functions. It is the ability to plan, organize and implement a set of tasks in an efficient manner. It includes the ability to self-monitor and control behaviors and other cognitive functions. Impairments with executive function is often part of dementia disease. … Continue reading Executive Function and Dementia

Christmas, Covid19 and assisted living

Covid19 cases are escalating, they are spiraling out of control and it is Christmas My loved one is in an assisted living facility that has shut down all visits. Residents can leave for medical appointments only. My loved one is staying in her tiny, studio appartment. Alone with the exception of meals and medication management. … Continue reading Christmas, Covid19 and assisted living

And Covid19 keeps taking….

My loved one with dementia has been attending an adult day health program for three years. Given her early onset diagnosis, this program has been a godsend keeping her active and engaged. She loves going to it and missed it greatly during our pandemic shutdown. This week I learned the program is ending on December … Continue reading And Covid19 keeps taking….

I tackle worry with education

I usually post on Thursdays, Friday at the latest. This week I was in a virtual training class, Dementia Care Education class for 2 half days. (I included the link because I found the class very informative.) The education helped me to understand dementia and apply it to how my loved one's brain is functioning … Continue reading I tackle worry with education

Memory loss is like a damaged file cabinet

I am on a journey to understand dementia as it impacts my loved one. Dementia is not the diagnosis but rather a general term for memory loss, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that interfere and impair daily life and the ability to live independently. My loved one has a mixed diagnosis and it includes … Continue reading Memory loss is like a damaged file cabinet

Communicating to our loved ones with dementia

Soon it will be officially autumn by the equinox calendar. In North America we tend to use the term Fall. In New England the Fall colors are spectacular. My husband and I love the Fall for its color and cool but not cold temperatures. Mother Nature is getting ready for a winter sleep. But that … Continue reading Communicating to our loved ones with dementia

News and its impact on loved ones.

This week we celebrated World Alzheimer's Day. It almost got by me. I have been preoccupied with several caregiving tasks for my loved one with dementia and for my elderly father (91 years old this year). Just as soon as I thought I had time to breathe and work on my own projects, life interrupted. … Continue reading News and its impact on loved ones.

Next time I will not ignore that little voice in my head.

My loved one with dementia struggles daily with the affects of dementia, add a urinary tract infection and the results are amplified. But the impact of an UTI on my loved one is very cunning. It does not manifest itself overnight rather slowly creeps in. It can go unnoticed for days even weeks. She does … Continue reading Next time I will not ignore that little voice in my head.

I miss the person my loved one once was

My loved one with dementia is my sister. We were not the best of friends despite being only two years apart in age. Growing up we fought like many siblings do. Our parents could not understand why we did not get along. They tried to encourage our friendship which only served to ignite more fighting. … Continue reading I miss the person my loved one once was

I am a social creature

Over the past five months I have learned more about myself, my likes and dislikes. This was not an intentional analysis. Rather the result of COVID19 protocols. I learned I am a very social creature. I do not do well sheltering at home in an effort to keep myself, my husband, father and sister safe. … Continue reading I am a social creature

I relate to parents of school age children returning to the classroom and COVID19

My loved one with dementia is scheduled to return to adult day health next week. As her guardian I need to sign a document in the presence of the management. Although I agreed to do so, I have not done it. I received phone call reminders and just this morning an email reminding me. I … Continue reading I relate to parents of school age children returning to the classroom and COVID19

Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable

I agreed to a 7 day challenge from my business coach. I agreed to spend one minute every day in a cold shower to experience discomfort. I did not agree willingly at first. I don't like cold water. I grew up in northern Massachusetts not far from the Atlantic ocean beaches. That is "cold" water. … Continue reading Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable

I found a “silver lining” to our shelter at home for Covid-19

I am counting my blessings no matter how I find them. I am my loved one with dementia's guardian and health care advocate. I attend all medical appointments and her care is coordinated with me. There are several health issues that have been monitored by blood tests; glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol etc. Her doctors expressed concern … Continue reading I found a “silver lining” to our shelter at home for Covid-19

Independence Day has new meaning for me

It is July 4th and in the US we celebrate our declaration of "independence" from England. For those history buffs: Americans celebrate independence on July 4th, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2nd, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress. But … Continue reading Independence Day has new meaning for me

It’s summer and I am remembering from childhood…

Our summer has just started officially. It is a little past 5:43pm Eastern Standard time which is the summer solstice on June 20, 2020. I decided to make this year's event memorable even if I celebrate quietly. I can't remember the last time I paid to attention to the actual time of the summer solstice. … Continue reading It’s summer and I am remembering from childhood…

A few observations watching a sparrow family from my window

I have several birdhouses in my backyard. One of them I can view from my kitchen window over my sink. Given I seem to always be doing dishes, I thought it was a great spot for the birdhouse. Every year sparrows will use the birdhouse. Every year I watch the dating between males and females. … Continue reading A few observations watching a sparrow family from my window

I am not taking NO for an answer when it comes to my loved one’s health

It is exhausting mentally and physically managing healthcare for loved ones and keeping them safe! In addition to my loved one with dementia, I assist my 91 year old dad. He continues to live alone in the home I grew up in. He is doing well and has been adhering to the shelter at home … Continue reading I am not taking NO for an answer when it comes to my loved one’s health

My favorite quote; Life should not be a journey to the grave…

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”Hunter S. Thompson I have this posted on my wall. … Continue reading My favorite quote; Life should not be a journey to the grave…