Back when I was a caregiver for my mom, one of our favorite things to do was get our hair done and then have lunch at Saladworks. We did this every couple of months and as time went on, it got harder and harder to do. She began having difficulty getting in and out of … Continue reading Nothing Is Worth Embarrassing Your Loved One
Tag: elder care
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
The Wake-Up Call I Needed About Being Patient With My Mom
Early on in my mom’s Alzheimer’s, I would pick her up at her house and take her out somewhere. We would mostly go out to lunch or shopping, but sometimes we got our hair done or went to the movies. As much as I enjoyed spending time with my mom, I often found myself frustrated … Continue reading The Wake-Up Call I Needed About Being Patient With My Mom
Your Decisions As a Caregiver Do Not Cause Your Loved One to Decline. Alzheimer’s Does.
Your decisions as a caregiver do not cause your loved one to decline. The disease causes your loved one to decline. We had a very hard time making certain decisions for my mom’s care. Looking back and reflecting on those decisions has allowed me to see that making those decisions was not the cause of … Continue reading Your Decisions As a Caregiver Do Not Cause Your Loved One to Decline. Alzheimer’s Does.
Interview with Dr. Regina Koepp of the Caring for Aging Parents Show
I had the honor and privilege of being interviewed by Dr. Regina Koepp yesterday for the Caring for Aging Parents Show. In the interview, we talk about the road to my mom’s diagnosis, my struggle as a 25-year-old to accept her diagnosis, the importance of sharing your story, what I’ve learned over the last ten … Continue reading Interview with Dr. Regina Koepp of the Caring for Aging Parents Show
Here’s Why You Should Start a Gratitude Journal
For those who don’t already know, I make a gratitude list after every FaceTime call with my mom and dad. I used to dread FaceTiming with them and I would hang up feeling so depressed. It made me not want to FaceTime with them. I would avoid it at all costs. I knew I had … Continue reading Here’s Why You Should Start a Gratitude Journal
I Worry About My Mom’s Death Every Day
I started writing my mom’s eulogy the other day. Not on paper, but in my head. Nothing has happened. Nothing has changed. In fact, things are pretty much the same as they have been for some time now. But we are coming up on the nine-year anniversary of her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. July 2010. And I’ve … Continue reading I Worry About My Mom’s Death Every Day
Mother’s Day for the Motherless
When I was about eight or nine years old, I saw a Mother’s Day ad for Boscov’s that claimed you could buy your mom a beautiful gold locket for just $0.99. Holy crap! Just $0.99?! I immediately decided that I wanted to get my mom that locket for Mother’s Day. I was so excited to … Continue reading Mother’s Day for the Motherless
The Guilt Will Bury You Alive, If You Let It
Guilt. Everyone feels it. Everyone talks about it. Everyone tries their best to avoid it by doing the right thing. But, no one ever tells you that there really is no way around it. Sometimes, no matter how many good things you do, you still find something to feel guilty about. This is especially true … Continue reading The Guilt Will Bury You Alive, If You Let It
What Has Alzheimer’s Taught You?
What has Alzheimer’s taught me? I’m not even sure where to start. For one thing, Alzheimer’s has taught me that family is everything. When I was in high school and college, all I really cared about was spending time with my friends. I was always so afraid of missing out on something. I’d say that’s … Continue reading What Has Alzheimer’s Taught You?
