Tag Archives: Caregiving
Care for the Caregiver
Care for the caregiver and we care for the care receiver, as well. Family caregivers take on an overwhelming load of responsibility when caring for a loved one. Few are trained for the position, and the care comes with sacrifice of time, energy, and income. Caregivers, especially for ones with dementia, often are lonely. Opportunities […]
Eat Well. Live Well.
Q: What do you call someone who can’t stick with a diet? A: A desserter. Nothing works without a source of energy. Even machines need fuel to keep going. And the better the fuel, the better we perform. Good nutrition is key to optimum health and the ability to perform mentally and physically to the […]
Memory Lane Games
Visiting with a loved one with dementia can be complicated. We must watch what we say, how we say it, and the words we use. “Discussions” need to be basic and clear to avoid confusion and frustration for both of us. Finding activities enjoyable for both family members offers an opportunity to share time and […]
Forgive Yourself
“Everything is clearer in retrospect. You know what or how you could have done something better when looking back. Things are not so clear or easy when you are under pressure to care for your loved one 24/7. Your responsibilities are great, and you often must perform your duties without proper rest or assistance. Most […]
Is It Normal Aging?
What It’s Like Your husband went out to run some routine errands and said he would be back in an hour. Four hours later he calls from a clerk’s phone at a convenience store across town. He doesn’t know where he’s been or where he is. This is not the first time, and it will […]
New Book to Boost Caregiver Morale
Most of us care for someone at least at one point in our lives. We tend to the needs of children, parents, and spouses. And many of us work in the field, caring for “strangers” as if they were our own family. My newest book, Inspired Caregiving. Weekly Morale Boosters, offers doses of encouragement and […]
COVID-19 Caregiving Challenges
In the best of times, caring for our loved ones with dementia can be stressful. Under the cloud of COVID-19, we can be pushed to our limits. In addition to the round the clock supervision and direction, we have the concerns about sanitation. Loved ones with dementia are typically messy in the bathroom and at […]
Leaning Forward
One of the best pieces of advice I received at the beginning of Marshall’s Alzheimer’s symptoms was not to anticipate what happens next. So many factors are involved that it’s impossible to predict the exact course. Worrying about what may never happen is pointless. One situation I never considered was Marshall requiring a walker. I […]
What Happens Next?
The path of Alzheimer’s is a downward slope. As of now, there is no cure, and there’s no getting better. As much as we understand that, it’s human nature to stop periodically and wonder what we can expect to happen next with our loved one. Most often, the answer is the same. No one can know for sure. […]
Mary K. Doyle 
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