What does this photo have to do with caregivers or patients dealing with any number of medical issues? It occurred to me when I saw this photo that life is all about perspective, isn’t it? Where we stand, what we see, how we feel, what is our commitment, what is our guilt or denial level.…
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What About Non-caregivers?
April 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Why is it that in so many families it is just one person who is providing the majority of the care? Statistically it is usually, but not always, is a female. And usually it’s the oldest daughter or the daughter who lives the closest. So where are all the other siblings? If you…
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Wedding Bands & Engagement Rings
April 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Wedding bands and engagement rings….. family necklaces….heirloom broaches…. Alzheimer’s and dementia (AD/D) loved ones may become paranoid or suspicious about family or staff “stealing” their belongings. This may happen because they forget where they have put their valuable items. On the other hand, they may really be upset because you have taken the car…
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UTIs – Urinary Tract Infections
April 8, 2018 By 1 Comment
Any one who has worked in the health care industry or has had a dementia patient at home knows how behaviors can literally change overnight when someone has an UTI. Almost any “challenging” behavior will be exaggerated or magnified greatly when someone has an UTI. I had a recent personal experience that made me question…
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Anesthesia ??? Loss of Cognitive Ability
February 7, 2018 By 2 Comments
Are you about to have surgery? Or have you recently had surgery and don’t feel like you are back to “normal” yet? . “26% of surgery patients leave Intensive Care Units with new, Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.” . “Patients treated in intensive care units across the globe enter with no evidence of cognitive impairment but oftentimes leave…
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Red Plate vs. White Plate!
January 22, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Red Plates vs. White Plates?? Does it make a difference for persons with Alzheimer’s. Does it really matter what color plate or coffee mug is used for someone with AD? The answer is YES! According to a study completed at Boston University in 2004, “40% of individuals with severe Alzheimer’s lose an unhealthy amount…
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Apathy vs. Depression
December 14, 2017 By 2 Comments
What’s the difference? “Apathy and depression are two conditions that have been studied extensively in psychology. Apathy refers to the lack of interest that can be seen in a person. Depression, on the other hand, is a psychological condition where a person loses interest in daily activities and feels hopeless.” (differencebetween.com) So how does…
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FALLS ! FALLS ! FALLS !
November 13, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The statistics are awesome.. meaning unbelievable or daunting. Look at those statistics… falls happen so fast and can do so much damage to an elderly person, especially one with some form of dementia. Dementia patients don’t necessarily understand the pain they are experiencing following a fall or when a fracture occurs. If…
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Grief…No one can do it for you
November 5, 2017 By 2 Comments
I recently posted this piece on my FB page DCPutnam Consulting. The posting received more than 2,300 hits and obviously had a huge impact on my readers. I want to include it here so others may see it in the future. (Double click on diagram to enlarge.) ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** This diagram was…
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Making Good Memories
September 2, 2017 By Leave a Comment
I have just returned from a dream-trip of a lifetime. This trip has been on my “bucket list” for years and I will carry the memories with me forever… so many over the top experiences. I’ve known for my 20+ years of working in the dementia field, that there are many family members who think…
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