After my dad had surgery to correct increasing fluid build up behind scar tissue from a World War II brain injury, he came out of the surgery totally demented. Whether the dementia came from a combination of his age and the scar tissue, anesthetic or something else, we didn't know. All we knew was that he came out of surgery with a voice in his... Read more
Be With Me Today is a DVD that every person who interacts with someone who has Alzheimer's disease should own. Richard Taylor was diagnosed with dementia, probably of the Alzheimer's type, when he was 58 years old. Now 66, Richard speaks to the public about living with the disease. This DVD version allows all of us to hear and see Richard as he... Read more
People often ask what they can do to preserve their brains. While no one can predict who will get Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, there are certain steps recommended by experts often enough to have some sticking power. We can't change our genetic background but we can change our diet. We can't change our couch potato past but we can start... Read more
When human beings loses their ability to communicate verbally, whether through stroke, Alzheimer's or some other disease, the frustration of not being able to articulate one's feelings can create anger and difficult behavior.
I saw my uncle struggle with aphasia after his last major stroke. This man, who had been a voracious reader,... Read more
When it comes to caring for aging parents, it's a rare family that doesn't find itself, at least occasionally, in disagreement over the type and expense of care the elders should have. If there ever was a time to bring up old sibling rivalries and pecking orders, it's during this decision making time.
Most of us like to give people the... Read more
