I was my dad’s plus one for his best friend’s daughter’s wedding on Saturday night. When my dad got the invitation in the mail, I knew how much he wanted to go, but I also knew that he would never go by himself. When I saw that he was allowed to bring a guest, I … Continue reading Grief Never Goes Away, But You Can Feel Two Things At Once
Author: Lauren Dykovitz
Lauren Dykovitz lives in New Jersey with her husband and two black labs, Oakley and Lucy. Lauren is a writer, author, and mentor for Alzheimer's daughters. Aside from writing her own blog, Lauren has been a contributing writer to several other websites and blogs. Lauren has also self-published two books, "Learning to Weather the Storm: A Story of Life, Love, and Alzheimer's" and "When Only Love Remains: Surviving My Mom's Battle with Early Onset Alzheimer's." Both books are available on Amazon.
Are You Finding Joy in Your Alzheimer’s or Dementia Journey?
Are you finding joy in your day-to-day life? Are you actively seeking it out? When my mom was living with Alzheimer’s, I rolled my eyes at the mere mention of finding joy in the journey. I didn’t think it was possible and honestly, it was just easier for me to be sad and miserable all … Continue reading Are You Finding Joy in Your Alzheimer’s or Dementia Journey?
Your Relationship with Your Caregiver Parent Can Get Better
If your relationship with your caregiver parent is suffering, I have some hope for you. For a long time during my mom’s battle with Alzheimer’s, I felt like I was losing my dad to the disease, too. Although he didn’t have Alzheimer’s or dementia himself, my mom’s illness and her care were consuming my dad’s … Continue reading Your Relationship with Your Caregiver Parent Can Get Better
What If This Is the Last Time?
What if this is the last time? What if this is the last time your loved one tells you the same story for the hundredth time? What if this is the last time your loved one calls you on the phone at an inconvenient time or any time at all? What if this is the … Continue reading What If This Is the Last Time?
The Alzheimer’s Daughters Club Is Now Open to Join!
When my mom was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s, I was only 25 years old. I was newly engaged and working my first full-time job out of college.I didn’t know anything about Alzheimer’s and I didn’t know anyone with a parent who had it.While all of my friends were reliving their college days, I was … Continue reading The Alzheimer’s Daughters Club Is Now Open to Join!
7 Tips for Coping with Ambiguous Loss/Grief
Ambiguous loss occurs when there is psychological absence with physical presence. This occurs when a loved one is emotionally or cognitively gone or missing, but still physically present. This can be caused by Alzheimer’s/dementia, traumatic brain injury, mental illness, addiction, depression, etc. With this type of loss, there is a loss without certainty, closure, or … Continue reading 7 Tips for Coping with Ambiguous Loss/Grief
What Is Something You Are Overthinking?
Back in December, I started thinking about the new year and whether I had any goals I wanted to reach. I decided that I wanted to start living my life more. I wanted to do more things just for fun. I wanted to try new things. I was searching around on the internet and found … Continue reading What Is Something You Are Overthinking?
Dear Alzheimer’s Caregiver, You Will Feel Free Again Someday
Yesterday I was taking the pups for their morning walk when I had an epiphany. It was a beautiful spring morning here in South Jersey. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and I said hello to a few neighbors along the way. I began to feel a strange, unfamiliar feeling that I couldn’t … Continue reading Dear Alzheimer’s Caregiver, You Will Feel Free Again Someday
Life Is Meant For Living
During my mom’s ten-year battle with Alzheimer’s, I put my life on hold in so many ways that I basically stopped living it altogether. I did the absolute bare minimum that I needed to do to get by. I didn’t have the energy to do anything more than that. At the time, it was what … Continue reading Life Is Meant For Living
It’s Been Two Years Since My Mom Died And I Am Still Her Daughter
Two years. Today marks two years since my mom died. That doesn’t even seem possible. The time seems to both have flown by and stood still. In the days after my mom died, I remember thinking that before I knew it a week would go by. And then a month, a year, two years. I … Continue reading It’s Been Two Years Since My Mom Died And I Am Still Her Daughter