I don’t know about you, but I knew next to nothing about Alzheimer’s when my mom was diagnosed with the disease. I never knew anyone else who had it and like so many, I thought it was just about memory loss. I learned so much over the ten years that my mom lived with the … Continue reading 6 Things I Wish I Would Have Known When My Mom Was Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
Tag: Alzheimer’s spouse
4 Things That Helped Me Cope with My Mom’s Alzheimer’s the Most
I often get asked what I did to cope with my mom’s Alzheimer’s while she was living with the disease for ten years. While I’ve written about each of these things before, I’ve never compiled a list of all of them together. So, here’s a list of the four things that helped me cope with … Continue reading 4 Things That Helped Me Cope with My Mom’s Alzheimer’s the Most
8 Things All Alzheimer’s Caregivers Should STOP Doing This Year
All of the hype surrounding a new year and making resolutions or goals can be enough to make an Alzheimer’s caregiver feel like you are failing in more ways than one. When I was helping to care for my mom with Alzheimer’s, the last thing I needed was a resolution to do more of anything. … Continue reading 8 Things All Alzheimer’s Caregivers Should STOP Doing This Year
Changing Your Perspective Won’t Change Your Circumstances, But It Will Change You
When I was in the thick of my mom’s Alzheimer’s, I often felt down, depressed, and hopeless. I mostly focused on all that I had lost and would continue to lose as my mom declined. I would read things about being positive, finding joy, and hunting the good stuff and I would scoff. How could … Continue reading Changing Your Perspective Won’t Change Your Circumstances, But It Will Change You
Don’t Further Isolate Yourself—Alone Is Not the Way
When I was helping to care for my mom with Alzheimer’s, I often distanced myself from my friends because I felt like they couldn’t possibly understand what I was going through. They probably couldn’t because they had never been through it themselves, but I also never bothered trying to explain it to them. Instead, I … Continue reading Don’t Further Isolate Yourself—Alone Is Not the Way
Once You’ve Seen Alzheimer’s Firsthand, You Will Never Unsee It
The other day, I was at the grocery store when I saw this couple shopping together. They looked to be somewhere in their sixties. Something about them caught my eye. I stopped what I was doing and started watching them, watching her. And I just knew. My eyes filled to the brim with tears, as … Continue reading Once You’ve Seen Alzheimer’s Firsthand, You Will Never Unsee It
My Dad Stepped Up When My Mom Got Sick
I got a text from my dad one day that had a picture of two cans of Manwich and he wanted to know how to make Sloppy Joes. I told him that he had to cook some ground beef and I asked him if he got any at the store. He told me that he … Continue reading My Dad Stepped Up When My Mom Got Sick
Your Childhood Home Changes When One of Your Parents Dies
I spent the past week at my parents’ house helping my dad recover from his hip replacement surgery. While I was prepared to cook, clean, and do laundry for him, I was not prepared for the onslaught of emotions that came with it. My dad does not have Alzheimer’s or dementia, but in some ways … Continue reading Your Childhood Home Changes When One of Your Parents Dies
Alzheimer’s Can’t Take Away Your Love
With this ring... This is my mom’s wedding ring. I saw it sitting on her dresser the last time I went home and it stopped me in my tracks. She hasn’t been able to wear it in years. She would play with it, taking it on and off her finger, and my dad was afraid … Continue reading Alzheimer’s Can’t Take Away Your Love