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”I’m Not Going!” Overcome Alzheimer’s Stubbornness With These Tips Among the many challenges of providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, there’s one in particular that too often goes unmentioned: the digging-in-of-the-heels when there’s a need to leave home for a medical appointment, therapy or other important activity. Experienced by many with dementia is the fear of leaving the familiar and venturing into an unknown – and due to the very nature of dementia, sadly, even the familiar can quickly become unknown. How can you overcome Alzheimer’s…

Caring for elders can overwhelm us Nicole Johnson, a memory therapy coach, works with a patient at Amy’s Helping Hands   For caregivers, worrying about an aging relative is stressful enough. Taking care of two loved ones kicks up that stress level rise significantly. This is the daily reality for Denise and her sister who are responsible for the care of two aging relatives. For them, caregiving took a difficult turn when both relatives needed additional help over a few days. With one having hip surgery and the other being transferred…

The Dangers of Emotional Empathy for Caregivers Empathy is, obviously, an integral characteristic of effective caregiving. The ability to put yourself in another individual's shoes allows you to better meet their needs. However, there is a particular kind of empathy you need to understand as a caregiver in order to protect your own overall health: emotional empathy. The dangers of emotional empathy for caregivers are very real and may surprise you. Emotional empathy takes caring to a different level. In place of simply understanding how someone…

Create Your All-Star Care Team in 5 Steps What family caregivers often need most is sound advice, regular respite and an extra set of hands. Friends may scatter when one becomes the primary caregiver for a spouse or parent, and not everyone has siblings or other family members they can depend on to share the load. A carefully selected care team is a necessary complement to a loved one’s detailed care plan. Step 1: Draft a list of prospective team members Write down the name of each family member, friend or neighbor with whom you regularly…

Creating a Legacy for Your Parent A common regret of adult children who have lost their parents is the wish that they had asked and understood more about their own family history. This is particularly true for family caregivers, whose focus on the present is necessitated by the practical concerns of getting through the day. Making time to learn more about the past seems like a luxury for many caregivers. But taking that time may be beneficial to those we love and care for and provide an important opportunity to redefine and enhance…

The Difficult Emotions Every Family Caregiver Battles – and How to Let Them Go If you are feeling a bit discouraged in your role as caregiver, take heart; you’re in good company. Providing care help for a loved one is perhaps the most complex role we can hold: highly rewarding on the one hand, while simultaneously frustrating and ever-evolving, frequently resulting in feelings of doubt about whether we are up to the challenge and providing the most effective care.  It’s why a number of family caregivers struggle with some or all of these types of feelings:  Guilt: It…

How to Help a Loved One During a Short-Term Stay in Assisted Living After a hospitalization or surgical procedure, the doctor may recommend a short-term stay in assisted living for rehab purposes before returning home. This is typically a temporary period of intensive therapy to promote healing and recovery. However, the thought of moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home even for a matter of weeks or months can be exceedingly tough to accept. How can you help a family member through this challenging life event? There are several actions you can take…

What You Need to Know About Beverage Thickeners for Swallowing Disorders Unless you have a swallowing order, you most likely have not given much thought to the different textures and consistencies of the liquids in your diet. When you’re feeling thirsty, nothing hits the spot like an ice-cold glass of water. On a hot summer day, you might crave a refreshing milkshake. And when you are recuperating from the flu, a warm bowl of soup is just what you need. But if you’re using beverage thickeners for swallowing disorders, you have to learn to adjust your thinking and…