Activities help to give purpose and meaning. Make each activity success-oriented, failure-free. Here are 101 ideas: Make collage from magazine Put together nuts and bolts Bake cookies Read paper Invite children to visit Read a letter out loud Listen to music Parachute game Color/Paint Make lemonade Wipe off table Talk about gardening Make Pigs-in-a-Blanket Spelling…

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, irreversible disorder of the brain and the most common form of dementia. The disease affects the cognitive parts of the brain that are involved in thinking, remembering, and using language. It can severely impair a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day activities. The Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Dementia isn’t…

As a caregiver, you are focused on your loved one’s safety, finances, medical treatment, nutrition and therapy. You busy yourself with doing everything in your power to keep them comfortable. You worry about their reduced energy level, increasing fatigue, physical weakness and variable mental status. But do you know how important it is for them…

A trip to the emergency room made me realize why caregivers are advised to organize heath information. When Mom broke her hip, I called an ambulance. When it arrived, I confidently recited Mom’s Medicare number. When asked what medications she took, I pulled out our basket of pill bottles. At the hospital, the questions got…

The doctor has informed you that your mother can no longer live independently. You feel that assisted living would be the best solution, but your sister strongly disagrees. It seemed that at one time you were able to communicate with her, but not any longer. Ideally, providing care for an elderly parent would be a…

The feeling of being out of breath (dyspnea) is a sensation that is well known to those who suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Although it is common for those experiencing shortness of breath to use oxygen therapy (oxygen tanks) to cope, the downsides can include fatigue, headaches, and dry or bloody noses. Further, when…