The Dementia Caregiver's Toolbox

Dementia Caregiver Stories Needed

2009-12-13T00:42:47-05:00

get many great emails and this one, about a group gathering caregiver's stories, I am sharing in its entirety. I hope you will participate. "Hi Susan, This holiday season, Genworth Financial is giving thanks to the 120 million men and women who serve as caregivers to their loved ones with the launch of a multi-media national advertising campaign. The campaign is a call to action for all Americans to share their caregiving stories and celebrate those who exemplify what it means to keep a promise.

Dementia Infections May Cause Disease Progression

2009-11-30T14:47:21-05:00

A recent study published in the journal, Neurology,suggests that infections pose a new concern for persons with Alzheimer's disease.

Professional Dementia Caregivers Need Help Too!

2009-11-21T16:51:20-05:00

In addition to getting responses and comments on the blog, I get a few private emails per week from folks just like you who are looking for answers. Usually, the email format allows for more personal and private information to be exchanged. I received an email this week that was cute and seemed to be a general request for information that was probably sent out to many people. I wanted to share it with you but I did remove the location and name of the party to protect their privacy. Here it is......

Comfort Zone Technology Launched By Alzheimer's Association

2009-11-06T17:32:03-05:00

As a member of two committees at my local Alzheimer's Association chapter, I was so pleased to hear about the collaboration between the Alzheimer's Association and Omnilink to launch a special product called Comfort Zone. This unique product is something that dementia caregivers everywhere have been waiting for.

Dementia Care: Designing A Better Bathroom

2009-10-21T13:50:00-05:00

If our goal is to keep a person with dementia as independent as possible, it would make sense to design or alter the bathroom area so it is as easy to use as possible. Here are a few things to...

Advanced Dementia Labeled Terminal Illness

2009-10-18T13:47:48-05:00

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine identifies advanced or end stage dementia as a terminal illness. Hard for dementia caregivers to believe, but up to this point advanced dementia was not thought of as a true terminal disease.

Dementia Caregivers - Meet the Pioneer Network

2009-10-16T15:00:00-05:00

There is a group working behind the scenes (and in front too) helping advocate for all those aging, including those with dementia. You may have never heard about them, but you need to know about them. The group is called The Pioneer Network. This wonderful advocacy group started in 1997 and took official form in 2000 with volunteer groups working together on the mission of "...advocate and facilitate a deep system of changes and transformation on our culture of aging".

Dementia - Repetitive Questions: A New Product To Help?

2009-10-13T14:46:49-05:00

We've discussed before the intense challenge of having a person with dementia asking certain questions over and over. I received an email about a new product that may help with the situation. After talking over the care of her 92 year old mother, Jeannette Twoney, faced the multiple question situation just like we all have. The difference here is that Jeannette appears to have tried a new approach. Jeannette, a mediator by trade (interesting caregiver training!), invented Kind Reminder, a small recorder that the person with dementia can wear around their neck. When a simple button is pressed, the person can hear the voice of a family member or friend reassuring them.

Dementia: What Does "Home-Like" Really Mean?

2009-09-30T00:51:00-05:00

We all hear the buzz words "homey", "home-like", and "just like home" to describe the perfect dementia environment. Yet what does this exactly mean? A person with dementia could actually be living in their home (a good thing) yet not really be surrounded by a "home-like" environment. How is that possible? A home is not just the bricks and mortar; the physical environment. It is so much more: the physical plus the social and emotional parts of the place that make it home.

Dementia Caregiver's Need Meditation

2009-09-27T17:35:21-05:00

A new research study reports that dementia caregivers can reduce stress by adding simple meditation to their daily routine. The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation in collaboration with UCLA's Psychiatric Department prepared a study that tested the theory that meditation can be used to successfully reduce "stress response and improve cognitive function in older dementia caregivers". The study was headed by researcher Dr. Helen Lavretsky of UCLA.