Battling Alzheimer

Warning:  If you believe in God then you might find these thoughts contrary to your beliefs.

Another Warning: If you don’t believe in God then you might find these thoughts contrary to your beliefs. 

There are some events that make us question humanity in general, like Josef Fritzl, who held his own daughter captive for 20 plus years, fathered seven children by her, killed one and then raised three of them as his grandchildren.   We shake our collective heads and wonder why people have taken to shooting at high schools and colleges across our nation.  The latest shooting early Wednesday morning, April 30, 2008, at Florida Atlantic University has the school on lockdown.  These are horrible events, but for most of us, they are distant.

More →

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

It sounds so final. 

It sounds cruel.

It sounds like death.

Do not resuscitate (DNR) order is a part of advanced medical directives allowed by federal law passed in 1991, expanding the notion of patient autonomy to situations in which they may not be able to make crucial medical decisions due to incapacitation. It instructs medical personnel not to perform life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or other procedures to restart the heart or breathing once they have ceased. By law, the DNR directive must be offered as an option to patients by health providers in, and in some states, out of a hospital setting. Once signed, the DNR directive must be placed in the in the patient’s chart. (Encyclopedia of Surgery: A guide for Patients and Caregivers)

My true confession; yesterday, I talked about the fact that we fall into the trap of not talking about end of life issues with the hopes that they will just go away.  I understand that quite well.

More →

When we were kids, we used to put our hands over our ears and hum loudly or say, “I can’t hear you.”  It was our way of telling the other child who was speaking that we were not interested in, and would not listen to whatever they had to say. 

Then there’s my youngest son.  He covers his face with his favorite blanket.  That’s his way of “hiding.”  He figures, if he can’t see me, then I can’t see him.

More →

From the time I was about 9 or 10 years old, my mother encouraged me to keep a journal (well, she called it a diary).  Although I always enjoyed writing, I never understood why she bugged me so much to write my thoughts.  I figured maybe she wanted to read it when I wasn’t around.  Or maybe, she recognized my desire and ability to write before I did.  She surely never realized that the practice would help me to cope with caring for her as we, together, battled Alzheimer’s disease.

As a caregiver, you have a lot going on in your heart and head and journaling is a great way to relieve stress.

More →

Good health and nutrition gets trickier as people age. Throw in a measure of Alzheimer’s disease and you may have a larger challenge to face.

The recipes in this section, A Recipe for Life, are designed to nourish both those living with Alzheimer’s disease as well as their caregivers.  As food prices continue to rise on a weekly, if not daily, basis and as the need for more care demands more of your available time; my goal today, is to provide you with recipes that are healthy, quick and inexpensive.

More →

In battling healthcare issues in general and Alzheimer’s disease specifically, it’s important to know and understand Medicare and/or your private insurance coverage. 

What is Medicare?  Medicare is a government program that provides healthcare insurance coverage for Americans who are 65 years of age and older.

More →

 Caregivers in general and caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients specifically need to evaluate their legal needs. This is best done earlier versus later in terms of the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.  Yesterday, I talked about Power of Attorney (POA).  There really isn’t a question here as to if you, as a caregiver should get power of attorney, the question is when; and the answer (again) is sooner rather than later.

It’s not quite as simple when it comes to using the services of an Elder law attorney.  So, I’ll spend a little time talking about: More →

For the next couple of days, we’ll take a look at some of the legal issues facing caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients.

It is an incontestable fact that Alzheimer’s will ultimately render the one who has it, unable to handle day to day, legal and health care decisions.  It’s not something that caregivers or Alzheimer’s patients look forward to discussing, but it is absolutely necessary.

A few weeks ago, I did a series of posts about the stages of Alzheimer’s disease and how caregivers should respond to those stages.  As the disease progresses it will become apparent that your loved one needs more and more help; it is imperative that you (or someone close to the situation) get Power of Attorney (POA), so that the family is able to make life, legal and health care decisions for your loved one.

More →

Dear Caregiver,

Thank you for the sacrifice that you make to care of me.  Thank you for preparing my meals, driving me to doctor’s appointments and keeping me safe.  Thank you for keeping me clean and for handling my financial affairs.  Thank you for trying to make me a part of family activities and thank you for the gifts you give me, even though you are not sure that I know it’s a special day.

This disease has taken much from me.  So, I can’t explain things like I used to. But just because I can’t talk doesn’t mean I am not grateful.  Often when you look at me there is a distant look in my eyes.  It’s those time that I am most afraid.  I fear that caring for me will wear you out.  I fear that I am a burden to  you.  I fear you’ll throw up  your hands and give up.  I fear this prison in which I am trapped.  And yes, I fear death.

More →

Recipe for Life–  “Recipe” will focus on various aspects of nutrition and health that will be helpful to caregivers, those affected with Alzheimer’s disease and everyone in between.  A well balanced diet, high in complex carbohydrates, with several servings of fruits and vegetables each day is essential to good physical and mental health.

During my 7 years as a caregiver for my mom, who had Alzheimer’s disease, I moved twice, had two horrible pregnancies (but two great sons!), traveled domestically and internationally and worked as a freelance writer.

More →