During my mom’s 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s, I felt like I was on a roller coaster that I didn’t agree to get on. I don’t even like roller coasters in the first place. They make me dizzy and nauseous and they’re not even that much fun. And the roller coaster of my mom’s Alzheimer’s was … Continue reading My Mom’s Alzheimer’s Battle Was a Roller Coaster Ride
Tag: caregiving
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
Tips for Starting Home Care for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s
As you may know, my family cared for my mom at home for the entirety of her Alzheimer’s journey. There were many factors that allowed us to do so successfully—one of them being hiring in-home care. It wasn’t exactly a smooth transition, but there were several things we did that made it successful in the … Continue reading Tips for Starting Home Care for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s
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
Don’t Pressure Yourself to Live Up to the Hype of a New Year
I hated the hype of a new year when my mom was living with Alzheimer’s. It seemed like everyone was given the promise of a fresh start—a new beginning—except for me. I rolled my eyes at everyone with their goals and resolutions because it made me feel like I was stuck or behind in some … Continue reading Don’t Pressure Yourself to Live Up to the Hype of a New Year
Dear Alzheimer’s Caregiver, Your Feelings Are Normal
Dear Alzheimer’s caregiver, I want you to know something. Whatever you’re feeling right now—however you’ve felt in the past—it’s all completely normal. Your feelings are completely normal. Do you feel sad, angry, depressed, isolated, or overwhelmed? Do you feel helpless, hopeless, lost, and alone? Maybe you feel happy about something else going on in your … Continue reading Dear Alzheimer’s Caregiver, Your Feelings Are Normal
There’s No Shame in Quitting Your Job to Care for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s
I went to the dentist for the first time in years today. I could blame it on the pandemic or the fact that we’ve moved a lot, but that’s not really the reason—at least not all of it. The real reason is that for years I had a dentist who—for lack of a better word—was … Continue reading There’s No Shame in Quitting Your Job to Care for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s
I See You, Alzheimer’s Daughter
I see you, Alzheimer’s Daughter, trying to smile through the pain. I know how much it hurts. You feel as if both of your parents have just disappeared, vanished into some other world. Alzheimer’s World. They are gone forever. Only they’re not really gone. They’re still alive and, maybe, they live just a few miles … Continue reading I See You, Alzheimer’s Daughter
Punishing Yourself for Your Loved One’s Suffering Won’t Do Anyone Any Good
I felt so guilty living my life while my mom was suffering from Alzheimer’s and my dad was overwhelmed with her care that I just simply stopped living my life. I still feel guilty that I didn’t have to take care of her from the minute I woke up until the minute I went to … Continue reading Punishing Yourself for Your Loved One’s Suffering Won’t Do Anyone Any Good