I am hearing from more people lately who are struggling with how to sort through their parents' many years of stuff so they can move them to Assisted Living or a Nursing Home. Even though I have personally never been a big collector of stuff, getting rid of my things was hard for me to do - and I was just moving from a home... Read more
After seven years of advocating about the importance of early diagnosis of any type of dementia (Alzheimer's is one type), I would have to say that denial is still the biggest factor in preventing early diagnosis and treatment. Even my own friends, who have endured my harping for years about getting their parent(s) evaluated at the first... Read more
People often tell me every detail of their struggles with a loved one's odd behaviors and symptoms, but when I ask what medications are being taken, I most often get a blank stare and an embarrassed stutter. "Ummm, well, I don't know them all. We just give her whatever the doctor says." One of the biggest things you can do... Read more
I am sometimes asked what degrees I have relating to medicine and healthcare, since I speak at conferences to healthcare professionals about dementia. I always say seriously, "Well, I have an advanced degree that was so hard to complete and took five full years to get - a D.Le." After the blank stare, I giggle and say, "I... Read more
I have often wondered if it was appropriate to send emails to friends on the anniversary of the death of a loved one. It would be to remind them that I was thinking about them and their loved one that day. I have hesitated and struggled with it each time, worrying if I was stirring up sad emotions. I certainly didn't want to do that. I... Read more