The photo below was taken four years ago at my niece’s first birthday party—a party I helped plan, set up for, and desperately wanted to be a part of instead of just taking care of my mom the whole time. We knew this would most likely be the only birthday party that my mom would … Continue reading Sitting on the Sidelines to Care for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s
Tag: elder care
Caregiving Is Hard, But It’s Also Beautiful
Imagine being told the only way to end your suffering would be for your loved one to die. That is the sad reality Alzheimer’s families live with every day. Death is the only true escape for the suffering they endure and yet, they continue to show up to care for their loved one in hopes … Continue reading Caregiving Is Hard, But It’s Also Beautiful
How to Know When the Last Time Should Be the Last Time
There are many “last times” with my mom that I don’t remember at all, but I vividly remember the last time I took her to get her hair done. It was February 1, 2017 and the only reason I know the date is because I took this picture. As always, I went to my mom’s … Continue reading How to Know When the Last Time Should Be the Last Time
Nothing Is Worth Embarrassing Your Loved One
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
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
