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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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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Positive Tips for Communicating (1)
March 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment
I recently posted this chart on my FB page (DCPutnam Consulting 4.22.17) and to date it has had almost 1,500 hits. That tells me that this information is important to caregivers. So I want to go into more detail as to what this all means. This is a wonderful guide for family members, professional caregivers…
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Verbal Abuse
July 16, 2016 By Leave a Comment
There are many family caregivers (and professional caregivers) who don’t understand what is physically happening to the brain and therefore don’t know how to communicate with their loved one. There are certain things you do and do not say to someone with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia. Consequently this lack of understanding can lead…
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Importance of Support Groups
July 14, 2016 By 4 Comments
Many people question if they should attend a support group. There are many valid reasons why caregivers find support groups to be helpful in managing their day to day life with someone with Alzheimer’s disease or one of the related dementias. So let’s take a look at the advantages of participating in a monthly Alzheimer’s…
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What is Your “Plan B?”
February 6, 2016 By Leave a Comment
“Plan B” – What do I mean by that phrase? As a caregiver for your spouse, you are currently living “Plan A.” If you are the primary caregiver, you are most likely a woman and have total responsibility for your husband’s care. You might have some assistance from your children, or perhaps a neighbor might…
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Why Am I Thankful?
August 16, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Our family has moved numerous times over the years due to my husband’s field of work. Each time we needed to make a decision about whether or not he/we would accept an offer, we went through this process. We found it to be very helpful, in so many ways. We developed 4 lists – pros/cons…
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PLACEMENT OPTIONS
July 29, 2014 By Leave a Comment
“Dad has Alzheimer’s and I can’t take care of him any longer, I guess I’m going to have to put him in a nursing home,” says a daughter who is the primary person caring for her Dad. There was a time when this might have been true. However, in 2014, we have options that didn’t…
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The Dilemma of Holidays
May 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Easter ~ Mother’s Day ~ Memorial Day ~ Father’s Day ~ Birthdays ~ Anniversaries……. And then there’s Ramadan, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah… And the list goes on. What do we do about Mum or Nana or Uncle Bill on holidays? There’s no simple answer to this question. Families must look at…
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