Information for Alzheimer's Caregivers
If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's, knowledge is the key to effectively coping with the disease. Learn how to take care of yourself, handle day-to-day challenges, enhance communication with your loved one, manage challenging behaviors, and plan for the future.
How an Economic Downturn Affects Family Caregiving
A survey by UnitedHealthcare and the National Alliance for Caregiving indicates that caregivers have been severely affected by the economic downturn from April 2008 - April 2009.
A survey by UnitedHealthcare and the National Alliance for Caregiving indicates that caregivers have been severely affected by the economic downturn from April 2008 - April 2009.
What is the Economic Value of Caregiving?
AARP recently released a comprehensive report on the economic value of caregiving. I found it so interesting that I wanted to share some of its highlights with you.
AARP recently released a comprehensive report on the economic value of caregiving. I found it so interesting that I wanted to share some of its highlights with you.
Gift Ideas for People with Alzheimer's and Their Caregivers
Are you at a loss when people ask for gift ideas for you and your care recipient? Make it easy for people with these simple guidelines.
Are you at a loss when people ask for gift ideas for you and your care recipient? Make it easy for people with these simple guidelines.
How to Help Those with Alzheimer’s Enjoy the Holiday Season
While people with Alzheimer's disease often enjoy the holiday season, those with early-stage Alzheimer's might feel a special sense of loss during this time, and those in the middle or later stages could become confused and overwhelmed by the influx of people and boisterous celebrations. Here are three ways to help your loved one enjoy the holiday season.
While people with Alzheimer's disease often enjoy the holiday season, those with early-stage Alzheimer's might feel a special sense of loss during this time, and those in the middle or later stages could become confused and overwhelmed by the influx of people and boisterous celebrations. Here are three ways to help your loved one enjoy the holiday season.
Rita, Alzheimer's, and Me - A Caregiver's Story of Alzheimer's Disease
Through narrative and pictures, family caregiver Don Franklin describes his journey as a caregiver for his wife, Rita, who died of Alzheimer's disease on August 2, 2008.
Through narrative and pictures, family caregiver Don Franklin describes his journey as a caregiver for his wife, Rita, who died of Alzheimer's disease on August 2, 2008.
Coping With a Financial Crisis
If you're a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, it's natural to be concerned about the current financial crisis. You're not alone in wondering how you'll continue to be able to afford Alzheimer's care and handle other regular expenses. Find out how to keep your cool during difficult financial times.
If you're a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, it's natural to be concerned about the current financial crisis. You're not alone in wondering how you'll continue to be able to afford Alzheimer's care and handle other regular expenses. Find out how to keep your cool during difficult financial times.
Who Are Today's Caregivers?
Who are today's caregivers? At the 2008 Rocky Mountain Geriatrics Conference, Richard Schulz, Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shared important facts about today's family caregivers.
Who are today's caregivers? At the 2008 Rocky Mountain Geriatrics Conference, Richard Schulz, Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shared important facts about today's family caregivers.
Are Alzheimer's Caregivers Different from Other Kinds of Caregivers?
Are Alzheimer's caregivers different from other kinds of caregivers? At the 2008 Rocky Mountain Geriatrics Conference, Richard Schulz, Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discussed how Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia affect caregivers in unique ways.
Are Alzheimer's caregivers different from other kinds of caregivers? At the 2008 Rocky Mountain Geriatrics Conference, Richard Schulz, Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discussed how Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia affect caregivers in unique ways.
Caregiver Transitions
Family caregivers go through several caregiver transitions as loved ones become more ill. At the 2008 Rocky Mountain Geriatrics Conference, Richard Schulz, Ph.D. described the most common caregiver transitions, including which one is the most difficult for family caregivers.
Family caregivers go through several caregiver transitions as loved ones become more ill. At the 2008 Rocky Mountain Geriatrics Conference, Richard Schulz, Ph.D. described the most common caregiver transitions, including which one is the most difficult for family caregivers.
Why Caregivers Need Respite
The emotional and physical demands of caregiving make it hard to be a caregiver 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Without respite -- a temporary break from the demands of caregiving -- you may be more susceptible to the effects of caregiver stress. Learn why you need respite and where to find respite care for your loved one.
The emotional and physical demands of caregiving make it hard to be a caregiver 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Without respite -- a temporary break from the demands of caregiving -- you may be more susceptible to the effects of caregiver stress. Learn why you need respite and where to find respite care for your loved one.
Anticipatory Grief and Loss - A Normal Aspect of Caregiving During Alzheimer's
Many caregivers state that the hardest part of caregiving is not the practical side -- instead, it's the grief and loss that they feel, even while their loved ones are still alive. Learn how to work through grief and loss while you care for someone with Alzheimer's.
Many caregivers state that the hardest part of caregiving is not the practical side -- instead, it's the grief and loss that they feel, even while their loved ones are still alive. Learn how to work through grief and loss while you care for someone with Alzheimer's.
Understanding the Brain-Behavior Relationship
The key to effective caregiving is understanding the relationship between the brain and behavior. Once we understand this relationship, we can approach caregiving with compassion and courage. Consider these 10 tips your credo for being an Alzheimer's caregiver.
The key to effective caregiving is understanding the relationship between the brain and behavior. Once we understand this relationship, we can approach caregiving with compassion and courage. Consider these 10 tips your credo for being an Alzheimer's caregiver.
Talking to Children About Alzheimer's Disease
When a grandparent or other loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, it can be the children of the family who are most affected. Try these tips and strategies when talking to children about Alzheimer's disease.
When a grandparent or other loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, it can be the children of the family who are most affected. Try these tips and strategies when talking to children about Alzheimer's disease.
How to Have a Family Meeting
Making decisions about Alzheimer's care can be difficult -- especially when several people are involved. Families caring for someone with the disease can reduce conflict and stress by making decisions about Alzheimer's care for their loved one together shortly after the diagnosis.
Making decisions about Alzheimer's care can be difficult -- especially when several people are involved. Families caring for someone with the disease can reduce conflict and stress by making decisions about Alzheimer's care for their loved one together shortly after the diagnosis.
What kinds of activities are appropriate for people with Alzheimer's?
Participating in activities with your loved one is good for both of you, both physically and emotionally. It helps you continue to share enjoyable experiences together, and it can reduce the frequency of difficult behaviors such as agitation and wandering.
Participating in activities with your loved one is good for both of you, both physically and emotionally. It helps you continue to share enjoyable experiences together, and it can reduce the frequency of difficult behaviors such as agitation and wandering.
Making Mealtimes Easier for Everyone
Because Alzheimer's affects the brain in multiple ways, a variety of eating problems can result, creating challenges for both you and the person you're providing with care. The key to making mealtimes easier is to understand how Alzheimer's affects eating behaviors and to approach mealtimes with patience, planning, and flexibility.
Because Alzheimer's affects the brain in multiple ways, a variety of eating problems can result, creating challenges for both you and the person you're providing with care. The key to making mealtimes easier is to understand how Alzheimer's affects eating behaviors and to approach mealtimes with patience, planning, and flexibility.
Pack An Alzheimer's Toolkit When Traveling
Traveling can be challenging when your loved one has Alzheimer's. To make the trip go more smoothly, pack this toolkit and keep it with you, whether you travel by plane, train, or motor vehicle.
Traveling can be challenging when your loved one has Alzheimer's. To make the trip go more smoothly, pack this toolkit and keep it with you, whether you travel by plane, train, or motor vehicle.
"Caring For Your Parents" Caregiver's Handbook
This online handbook was created in conjunction with the PBS program, "Caring for Your Parents." It includes topics such as how to talk to parents about their increasing needs, how to find and access services, and the importance of caring for the caregiver.
This online handbook was created in conjunction with the PBS program, "Caring for Your Parents." It includes topics such as how to talk to parents about their increasing needs, how to find and access services, and the importance of caring for the caregiver.
Your Caregiving Journey -- Free Internet Talk Radio Show
Denise Brown started her own free internet talk show on BlogTalkRadio called Your Caregiving Journey. Each week she focuses on a different caregiving topic; listeners can participate during the shows or tune in later and listen to archives.
Denise Brown started her own free internet talk show on BlogTalkRadio called Your Caregiving Journey. Each week she focuses on a different caregiving topic; listeners can participate during the shows or tune in later and listen to archives.
Caring for a Loved One With Alzheimer's Disease
This free online training video was created to help family caregivers find and access community resources, develop realistic expectations for oneself and loved ones, and provide quality Alzheimer's care as well as caregiver self-care.
This free online training video was created to help family caregivers find and access community resources, develop realistic expectations for oneself and loved ones, and provide quality Alzheimer's care as well as caregiver self-care.
Caregiver Self-Advocacy: Four Messages to Live By
The National Family Caregivers Association provides four messages to inspire caregivers to take care of themselves and ask for the help they need.
The National Family Caregivers Association provides four messages to inspire caregivers to take care of themselves and ask for the help they need.
So Far Away: Twenty Questions for Long-Distance Caregivers
Are you caring for a loved one who lives far away? Take a look at So Far Away: Twenty Questions for Long-Distance Caregivers, a publication by the National Institute on Aging that provides helpful guidelines for those providing care across the miles.
Are you caring for a loved one who lives far away? Take a look at So Far Away: Twenty Questions for Long-Distance Caregivers, a publication by the National Institute on Aging that provides helpful guidelines for those providing care across the miles.
ClinicalTrials.gov - The Best Place to Find Research Studies
A service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, this database of clinical studies -- including studies about Alzheimer's causes and treatments -- is searchable by disease and geographic location.
A service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, this database of clinical studies -- including studies about Alzheimer's causes and treatments -- is searchable by disease and geographic location.