The Alzheimer's Caregiver Podcast: Recent Episodes
epoiley@health.usf.edu
I know how stressful caregiving can be and how alone you often feel. I understand the challenges you face on a daily basis when caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. My goal is to provide you with practical information, tips, and strategies for caregiving that I have learned over the years to help you be a better caregiver and deal with the behavioral issues and other challenges you face every day.
As Alzheimer's progresses, keeping your loved ones safe becomes critical. This includes driving, staying home alone, managing medications, and wandering. This episode will discuss surprising safety concerns and how you can prevent or minimize them.
It is important for caregivers to take a break once in a while to reduce their stress and take care of themselves. This episode will discuss the benefits and types of respite care and offer tips for how to take a much-needed break.
Managing the various behaviors and behavioral changes can be challenging for caregivers. This episode will discuss some of the more common behavior questions caregivers ask and provide explanations and answers to help you with your loved one.
Getting an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis can be very upsetting for caregivers. This episode will focus on common questions from new caregivers and provide answers and tips to help both the caregiver and their loved one with Alzheimer's.
It can be difficult when your loved one with Alzheimer's disease lives far away. There are many things that you can still do from a distance to help support family members and primary caregivers. This episode will discuss some things you should and shouldn't do as a distance caregiver.
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, your loved one's ability to process information will change. This episode will focus on how the change will affect their behaviors.
You may have experienced times when your loved one asked you a question and then reacted terribly to your answer. They either got angry or very upset. This episode explains the concept of therapeutic fibbing and gives you examples of how to use it.
Short-term memory loss is the one area of cognitive loss that most people are aware of. This episode will focus on an area that is less common and, most likely, one that caregivers don't think about as often. We will explore sequencing and how it can affect your loved one in many ways.
Going out with your loved one can have a positive or negative outcome. But with some awareness and planning, you can make going out a better experience. This episode explores ways to help make outings easier and more successful.
Summertime can be an enjoyable time of the year. However, summer heat can pose serious health concerns for a person with Alzheimer's if not careful. This episode will discuss the concerns of summer heat and provide suggestions to make the summer safer for you and your loved one.
Communicating with and engaging a loved one in specific activities that stimulate and support them can be a challenge for family caregivers. This episode will examine the concept of cognitive training and how it can benefit someone with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
It's important to keep your loved one engaged and stimulated to help provide meaningful opportunities for both of you. This episode will discuss ideas and modifications you will need to make to keep your loved one engaged.
This episode will focus on ways you can make modifications to help your loved one maintain their independence by continuing to perform activities of daily living and other tasks around the house.
This episode will examine some of the issues that arise with family and friends and provide tips to make these relationships and interactions more enjoyable for you and your loved one with Alzheimer's.
This episode will help you understand some of the common changes you may see in your loved one with Alzheimer's and how their preferences for things will change and often surprise you.
As Alzheimer's progresses, your loved one will not have the ability to live on their own and manage their own affairs. This episode will discuss the dilemma of balancing your loved one's independence with safety.
As a new caregiver, learning how to communicate with your loved one is extremely important. You will need to change how you communicate with a person with Alzheimer's. This episode will provide you with important communication tips to help you in the early stages of your caregiving journey.
As a caregiver, there are often times when your loved one says or does something that takes you by surprise, and none of your usual approaches or techniques help. This episode explores creative approaches to help you when situations become challenging or upsetting.
As Alzheimer's progresses, getting your loved one to engage in activities during the day becomes more and more challenging. This episode will discuss ways to get your loved one involved in activities and how to present them in a way that works.
As Alzheimer's progresses, your loved one may experience hallucinations, delusions, or paranoia. This episode will focus specifically on understanding paranoia, provide tips to reduce it, and offer guidance on how to respond to your loved one when they are paranoid.
You have probably heard the phrase "choose your battles" at some point. This is often good advice, and it is especially important when you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's. This episode explores common situations that may occur and how caregivers can pick their battles and reevaluate confrontations.
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, it can affect how well your loved one eats and what they like to eat. This episode explores some of the changes your loved one may experience regarding food and provides tips to help improve meal time and nutrition.
There are many things caregivers have to adjust to as their loved one progresses with Alzheimer's. One of the hardest things for caregivers to understand and deal with is when their loved one says something that is hurtful or untrue.
As Alzheimer's progresses, your loved one will lose things and forget where they put them. This episode will discuss the problem of forgetting and offer suggestions to help you deal with it, making it easier for you.
Caregiving is a challenging role, and it is not uncommon for caregivers to be hard on themselves, which can add to their stress. This episode discusses how caregivers can cope with the stress of caregiving and ways to cut themselves some slack.
It is often hard to know what to do to make the day better for your loved one with Alzheimer's. There are several cognitive areas affected by Alzheimer's, most notably short-term memory loss. This episode is part two of a discussion on the various changes that will improve your loved one's day.
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, there will be things that are harder for your loved one to do, to process, and to understand. This episode is part one of a discussion on the various changes that will help make your loved one's day better.
This episode will feature answers to common questions from caregivers that are asked during caregiver support group meetings.
As Alzheimer's progresses, some individuals no longer recognize common home decor items in their home. This episode will discuss how artwork and home decor can affect a person with Alzheimer's and provide tips for modifying your home.
When a person has Alzheimer's, their ability to make decisions and use good judgment is affected. This episode will discuss some common everyday routine decisions that are harder for a person with Alzheimer's to make, and what caregivers can do to make decision-making easier.
A lack of sleep is not good for anyone, especially for those with Alzheimer's. This episode will discuss sleep-related issues and provide tips for caregivers to help mitigate problems caused by lack of sleep.
This episode is being posted on New Year's Eve, so it is only fitting to do an episode on resolutions. Our goal is to help you rethink your resolutions and offer ideas for caregiver resolutions and changes that are helpful and realistic.
We often talk about someone with Alzheimer's living in the moment. This episode will explain what it means to live in the moment from the reality of the person with Alzheimer's and will also discuss how caregivers can also live in the moment to better engage and enjoy moments together.
Watching television has become an integral part of our lives, helping to fill many hours each week. For someone with alzheimer's, is watching television a good activity? This episode examines the challenges of watching television for individuals with Alzheimer's.
Whether you grew up listening to classical, country, jazz, gospel, or rock and roll, I am sure you have enjoyed listening to music. This episode will discuss the concept of music therapy and talk about the benefits of music for your loved one with Alzheimer's.
As Alzheimer's progresses, your loved one will experience cognitive loss, and you will see changes in their abilities and behaviors over time. This episode will discuss some of the unexpected and unpredictable behaviors and changes, and provide tips for dealing with these issues.
The holiday season can be overwhelming for individuals with Alzheimer's and very stressful for family caregivers. This episode will share suggestions and tips to make the holiday season safer and more enjoyable for both the individual with Alzheimer's and their family caregivers.
There is so much to learn about Alzheimer's that it can be overwhelming for caregivers. This episode will focus on questions related to the diagnosis and address other early concerns associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Caregivers often make big decisions together with their loved ones. As Alzheimer's progresses, these decisions become harder to make, raising the question of whether the loved one should continue to be involved. This episode will discuss various decisions caregivers have to make, and whether they should involve their loved one or even tell them at all.
Caregivers often find that hiring in-home services can be overwhelming and confusing. This episode will help you understand the different kinds of in-home services, what each provides, how to access them, and who pays for them.
As a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's, it may be necessary to modify your expectations to avoid becoming upset, angry, or stressed. This episode will discuss some of the expectations caregivers have that can cause stress and tips to help you rethink your expectations.
At some point, most caregivers realize they may need additional help at home and decide to hire home care services. The challenge is that they know their loved ones may not agree. This episode discusses strategies to make it easier to hire in-home care and how to get your loved one to accept them.
One of the most important things a caregiver can do is to become educated on Alzheimer's and its effects. This episode will explore the learning curve of a caregiver and how to give yourself some slack when you're unsure about how to handle a situation.
One of the most difficult situations for a caregiver is when someone with Alzheimer's asks about a friend, parent, or loved one who has passed away years ago. This episode will provide suggestions on how to answer questions about someone who has passed away.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's can be overwhelming and exhausting. This episode will look at situations that are not worth confronting and how you need to learn to let some things go.
As Alzheimer's progresses, your loved one will experience changes that will increase their risk for falls. This episode will explain how the changes due to Alzheimer's put your loved one at risk for falls, and what you can do to reduce the risk.
Laughter has many benefits and can be good for both the caregiver and the person with Alzheimer's. This episode explores enjoyable activities to do together and ways to incorporate humor and laughter into your day.
Timing is important when you are caring for a person with Alzheimer's. You will need to rethink and adjust your approach when you say things, schedule things, and do things. This episode gives examples of how timing affects your loved one and what you may need to change.
It is upsetting to see your loved one lose the ability to do common household things such as driving, cooking, cleaning, laundry, playing games, and other activities. This episode will focus on the importance of looking at what your loved one CAN do and how you can modify things to enable them to still participate in some daily activities.
Ensuring your loved one's safety, especially when it comes to food, is a topic that has been explored throughout many episodes of this podcast. This episode will focus specifically on food safety and provide suggestions for you if your loved one lives alone, with you, or in an assisted living facility.
Keeping your loved ones safe at home is one of the most important objectives for a caregiver. It is important to be aware of areas in your home that have potential safety concerns. This episode will discuss the safety risks in the bathroom and provide tips to make the bathroom safer for individuals with Alzheimer's.
Do you have 200 pins in your house that your loved one with Alzheimer's has collected? If so, you are not alone. It is common for a person with Alzheimer's to collect items, hoard them, or hide things. This episode will explore these behaviors and provide guidance on how to manage them.
It is common for a person with Alzheimer's to rummage through things or to look for things they can't find. This episode will discuss rummaging, what you can do to manage it, and how to best respond when they are rummaging or looking for things.
One of the most upsetting changes that a caregiver can see is when their loved one no longer shows they care or appreciates the caregiver. As Alzheimer's disease progresses, these important aspects of a relationship start to diminish. In this episode, we explain several reasons why your loved one doesn't show empathy or compassion.
Throughout my years of working with caregivers, I have been asked what some of the most important tips I would recommend to a caregiver are. This can be very challenging, as there are many things I would share. In this episode, I'm going to feature five tips that I believe are essential for caregivers to help them care for their loved ones with Alzheimer's.
When most people think about Alzheimer's, they believe it is the disease that causes a person to lose their memory. However, Alzheimer's disease affects many areas of cognitive function, in addition to memory. In this episode, we will focus on logical thinking and its impact on your loved one's ability to utilize cognitive and problem-solving skills.
In part two of hurricane preparedness for caregivers, we will continue the discussion on how to best prepare for hurricanes or other severe weather conditions as it pertains to your loved one with Alzheimer's.
In this episode, we will provide you with practical information regarding hurricane preparation and the issues you need to be aware of as a caregiver. We will focus on hurricane preparedness, but many of the tips can be applied to other weather or emergency situations.
This episode will focus on the more positive aspects of caregiving to help you understand why you do what you do as a caregiver. These are based on comments received from caregivers over the years, who shared positive aspects of caregiving and the reasons they undertake this role.
Verbal communication plays a significant role in how we engage and connect with one another. As Alzheimer's progresses, conversations and communications change and decrease. This episode will explore conversations and connections, offering tips and strategies to help you communicate effectively with and connect to your loved one.
Conversations are a major part of any relationship. As Alzheimer's progresses, conversations become more difficult for someone with Alzheimer's, which can affect how you connect and engage with them. This episode will provide tips to help you maintain conversations and improve communications with your loved one.
Moving a loved one to a memory care facility can be an emotional experience for a caregiver. This episode will explore the emotions caregivers experience when transitioning their loved one to a memory care facility and offer guidance on how to manage these feelings effectively.
Caregivers frequently discuss the stress of caring for a loved one at home. Yet moving a loved one to a memory care facility can also be a cause of caregiver stress. This episode will discuss the decision to move a loved one to a facility and explore ways to help reduce stress in this situation.
Caregivers often ask if it is a good idea to take their loved one with Alzheimer's on a vacation. Unfortunately, there is no simple yes or no answer. This episode will provide information to help you determine if a vacation is a good idea and offer tips to make it safer and more enjoyable if you decide to go.
You may have heard of elder abuse, but you may not be aware of the prevalence, the types, and how abuse pertains to individuals with Alzheimer's. This episode will discuss the different types of elder abuse and provide tips to keep your loved ones safe from abuse or exploitation.
Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming and stressful for the caregiver. This episode will discuss ways to help manage caregiver stress and offer practical tips for caregivers.
Many caregivers face the challenge of keeping their loved ones busy and engaged during the day. This episode examines activities and resources to help caregivers keep their loved ones busy and occupied throughout the day.
Using camera monitors in the home to keep tabs on a loved one may seem intrusive to some caregivers. This episode looks at the use of cameras and how they be beneficial to keeping your loved one safe.
Every stage of Alzheimer’s disease presents unique challenges and emotions for the caregiver. This episode will focus on the later stage and discuss symptoms and behaviors that caregivers may see in their loved ones.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are treatable causes of memory loss and confusion that caregivers should be aware of. This episode examines medical and other conditions affecting memory and how they may be treated or improved.
Finding services and community resources can often be challenging and frustrating for caregivers. Fortunately, there is a helpful starting place that should be the first step for caregivers of a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
If you are a listener to this podcast, you know how I emphasize the need to join and live in their reality. However, there are exceptions. This episode will look at times when joining their reality is not always the best approach.
This episode will focus on three important concepts that are critical for caregivers to understand. Caregiving can be challenging at times, especially when trying to understand what is happening with your loved one. These three concepts will help you become a better caregiver.
Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions about Alzheimer’s. This episode focuses on several common myths and will help clarify misunderstandings.
There are many benefits to getting an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Yet caregivers often ask if it is really necessary. This episode examines the benefits of having a comprehensive evaluation for the purpose of diagnosing a memory problem.
When caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it is vitally important to be their advocate, their voice of reason, their decision-maker, and their informant. This episode looks at situations where being an advocate is essential and provides insight to help in these situations
A loved one with Alzheimer’s lives in the moment. Because they have short-term memory loss, caregivers need to understand the realities and limitations of Alzheimer’s. This episode focuses on how to redefine success for doing certain things for their loved one.
One of the most challenging and emotionally-charged things for caregivers is when their loved one no longer recognizes them. This episode examines why this happens and how to respond in different situations.
Caregivers often assume they are healthy and consequently don’t always prepare for when they become ill or injured. This episode looks at ways caregivers can stay safe and put things in place in case something happens to them.
When a person receives a diagnosis, the doctor typically explains the condition and how to care for themselves. However, this is not the same when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This episode discusses a common question: should I try to get my loved one to understand their Alzheimer’s diagnosis?
Caregivers often feel frustrated because they are unsure what to do to better help their loved one with Alzheimer’s. This episode looks at several key areas where caregivers can improve their quality of care and provide a safer, happier time for their loved ones.
When taking a loved one with Alzheimer’s to a doctor's visit, it is important to make the most of the time you have with the doctor. This episode will provide tips to help you prepare for the visit and how to provide the doctor with the information they need for a successful diagnosis.
Just as there are safety issues and concerns for hot summer months, there are also specific concerns for cold winter months. This episode looks at several areas of concern that caregivers need to be aware of when the weather turns chilly.
Happy New Year! January 1st means new year’s resolutions. This episode focuses on new year’s resolutions for caregivers and provides some ways to be a better caregiver and have a happy new year.
In past episodes of this podcast, I have shared three important goals for caregivers that relate to managing your loved one’s health, safety and quality of life. In this episode, I expand these goals to include important goals for YOU, the caregiver.
Safety is very important when taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s. It’s easy to assume your loved one can still remember how to do things safely. In this episode, we discuss important safety tips to help you avoid potential safety problems.
Alzheimer’s causes many changes in your loved one that affect their communication and comprehension abilities. Because of this, caregivers must change how they communicate and engage with their loved ones. This episode explores the changes and how caregivers can better communicate.
Delusions are a common symptom of Alzheimer’s and typically occur in the middle or late stages. This episode will give you a better understanding of what a delusion is, and will provide you with tips for responding.
Over the years, I have learned much from caregivers. This episode is a way to ask YOU, the caregiver, for your input, experiences, and lessons learned in your journey. I would love to hear from you. Please email me at: epoiley@usf.edu
It is common for a loved one with Alzheimer’s to be more and more resistant to showering as the disease progresses. This episode focuses on the reasons behind this resistance and provides you with tips and strategies to help maintain proper hygiene.
Holidays are a time of year that should be happy and joyful. For a loved one with Alzheimer’s, holidays can be stressful, confusing, and fearful. This episode looks at holidays and provides tips and strategies to help you have a safer and happier holiday.
The loss of short-term memory is a common concern for caregivers. It has a profound impact on many aspects of daily life. This episode focuses on how short-term memory affects safety issues and provides specific examples and tips for caregivers.
Alzheimer’s disease is often thought of as the disease that causes a person to lose their memory. The loss of memory can be pretty upsetting to a caregiver. In this episode, we look at short-term memory loss and give you a better understanding of how it affects your loved one.
One of the most important things a caregiver can do for themselves and their loved one is to attend a support group. In this episode, we look at the benefits of support groups and how you might find one for yourself.
It is not uncommon for persons with Alzheimer’s to experience hallucinations. This episode will explain hallucinations, help you understand what they are, what might be causing them, and how to best respond to your loved one as they hallucinate.
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, your loved one may have more difficulty finding the things they need or remembering where things are kept. This episode will show ways to make your home more memory-friendly and more accessible for your loved one.
Caregivers often mistakenly assume their loved one with Alzheimer’s is in the angry or agitation stage, and that this is part of the disease. This episode focuses on how the environment and communications can cause anger and agitation.
Caregivers often express frustration for how little friends and family understand the challenges of being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s. This episode will provide some insight and suggestions to help others better understand your situation and hopefully provide you with help.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, your loved one’s interest in activities will change. Sometimes, these changes can be quite surprising. In this episode, we hope to give you a better understanding of how to modify activities to keep your loved one occupied.
Adjusting to living in an assisted living or memory care facility can be challenging for both the caregiver and their loved one with Alzheimer’s. This episode focuses on ways caregivers can decide whether taking their loved one out for meals, visits, holidays, or general activities is beneficial.
When a loved one with Alzheimer’s lives at home, there are several things caregivers can do to address safety concerns. In this episode, we look at several ways to prevent potential problems, make tasks easier, and ensure the safety of your loved one.
As your loved one’s Alzheimer’s progresses, going to the store, to dinner, or any activity outside the home can become difficult. In this episode, we look at ways to prevent safety issues and make the outing enjoyable.
In a previous episode, we looked at having patience with your loved one with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we focus on the need for caregivers to be more understanding of the situation and have patience with THEMSELVES.
We typically answer questions and respond to conversations immediately. But when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, the usual quick answer or response is not always the best. In this episode, we discuss the concept of “Halt Before You Talk” and how this can help your communication with your loved one.
Caregivers are often surprised by how their loved one’s clothing choices change as Alzheimer’s progresses. In this episode, we look at potential changes you may face and how to accommodate your loved one’s new fashion desires.
Caregivers often confess the one thing they wish they had more of is patience. Sadly, there is no pill or cure for this. In this episode, we hope to give you a better understanding and bring you practical tips to help you increase your patience when caring for your loved one.
Whenever we go through a difficult time, it’s always nice to hear a sympathetic comment from someone. But someone with Alzheimer’s may no longer be able to express sympathy, compassion and understanding.
In our caregiver support group meetings and workshops, I am often asked legal and financial questions. In this episode, we continue the discussion from last week’s topic and answer common questions asked by caregivers.
One of the most important things caregivers should do early is speak with an elder law attorney and get specific legal documents completed. In this episode, we look at two of the most essential documents and answer common questions about legal and financial concerns.
There are many activities you can do to engage someone with Alzheimer's that increase their quality of life by keeping them busy, stimulated, and calm. In this episode, we look at specific emotional-based therapies and their benefits for your loved one.
It is not uncommon for caregivers to feel guilty about the things they have done or didn’t do for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we discuss some of the reasons caregivers feel guilty and provide a fresh perspective to help ease the guilt.
In part two of this series, we continue to examine ways you can identify and modify triggers that can cause negative behaviors in your loved one with Alzheimer’s.
Just as there are triggers that make us annoyed, frustrated or upset, there are also triggers that can have the same effect on a person with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we look at common triggers and how you can modify them to reduce negative behaviors.
As comprehension and processing speed diminish, the normal pace of daily life can often be very difficult for a person with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we look at the importance of slowing down and how it can benefit your loved one.
Summertime can be a welcome relief from the cold of winter. But for someone with Alzheimer’s, summer can pose some serious issues caregivers need to be aware of. In this episode, we examine some of these concerns and how the hot summer weather can affect your loved one.
Managing your loved one’s medications is one of the most important topics for caregivers to be aware of as Alzheimer’s progresses and their memory fades away. In this episode series, we discuss ways to avoid medication issues with a pharmacy professional.
Managing your loved one’s medications is one of the most important topics for caregivers to be aware of as Alzheimer’s progresses and their memory fades away. In this episode series, we discuss ways to avoid medication issues with a pharmacy professional.
Does your loved one with Alzheimer’s need to know they have the disease? Will the knowledge improve their happiness, safety and lifestyle? In this episode, we discuss the issues surrounding this in order to help you make the right decision.
Caregivers are often surprised that their loved one no longer remembers their health and medical condition. In this episode, we look at the issues that arise when they cannot manage their own health care and treatments.
Caregivers often comment that their loved one with Alzheimer’s doesn’t do anything anymore. They find it surprising that a once active person now spends their time doing nothing - or very little. This episode looks at apathy and provides you with insight to help you help your loved one.
In this episode, we look at ten helpful and very important tips for caregivers. Since many “tips” resources focus on the Alzheimer’s person, I thought it would be helpful to look at ways to provide important information to YOU, the caregiver.
Caregivers often approach caregiving on a day-to-day basis. But as Alzheimer’s progresses, planning for the inevitable future becomes increasingly important. This episode looks at things caregivers should plan for earlier rather than later.
This episode is a personal note to you, the caregiver. After speaking with thousands of caregivers over the years, I wanted to share my thoughts, observations, and reflections on caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
When you communicate with someone with Alzheimer’s, you will need to change and adapt your communications to the reality of that person not to cause agitation. This episode looks at typical situations where you must go to THEIR reality and not yours.
As your loved one experiences cognitive decline, they may have difficulty understanding and recognizing everyday household items. This episode focuses on items that may look like food and provide tips to prevent safety problems.
As a caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, your goal is to provide them with the best and safest quality of life. This episode focuses on some of the most important things caregivers SHOULD do for their loved ones.
If your loved one has Alzheimer’s, you will need to take an active role in overseeing and managing their health and medical care. This episode will provide information and tips to help you make the proper medical decisions for your loved one.
When your loved one begins losing their short-term memory, a typical response is to be surprised, followed by trying to get them to remember. This episode examines why they don't need to remember and ways you can respond when they don’t.
Caregivers often ask for suggestions for activities, meals, and things to keep them occupied. But it is not uncommon for caregivers to comment “my loved one would never do that.” As Alzheimer’s progresses, your loved one’s preferences change. And things they never did, ate, or loved could become favorites.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, you may find you are taking on more and more of your loved one’s responsibilities. This episode focuses on one more thing to put on your to-do list - YOURSELF. It is essential for your health and well-being to add time for yourself to your daily and weekly schedules.
You may have a daily routine you have been doing for years that is familiar and works. But as Alzheimer’s progresses, you may need to rethink that routine to accommodate your loved one with Alzheimer’s better. In this episode, we provide suggestions to better meet your loved one’s needs and condition.
Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is full of frustrations, challenges, and stress. But caregiving can also bring you great joy, understanding, and hope in your caregiving journey. In this episode, we reflect on positive caregiver comments we have received throughout the years.
We typically modify how we communicate based on the audience we communicate with, such as adults, teens, or toddlers. In this episode, I will give you a better understanding of how to communicate with someone with Alzheimer’s.
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, your loved one will be able to stay home alone. As the disease progresses, it becomes a challenge to determine whether or not they can be safely left alone in the house. In this episode, we look at ways to keep your loved one safe at home.
We don’t always think about the passing of time in our daily lives. But your loved one with Alzheimer’s will have more difficulty with situations that involve understanding aspects of time. This episode explains how Alzheimer’s affects the concept of time and ways you can adapt and compensate.
Driving is a skill that involves several areas of cognitive abilities. At some point, your loved one with Alzheimer’s may become unable to drive a car safely, which can cause great harm to them and others. In this episode, we look at ways to help you manage the decision to let them no longer drive.
When caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, there are many things you will have to do to provide care. In this episode, we focus on the things you should NOT do to help you take better care of your loved one.
Managing the medications for your loved one with Alzheimer’s can significantly affect their health and well-being. They may, at some point, no longer remember to take their medications properly, which can lead to serious health issues. In this episode, we look at ways to manage their medications.
In your loved one’s past, there may have been chores and tasks they enjoyed doing, such as cooking, gardening, or repairing. As the dementia progresses, their ability to do routine chores and tasks will change. This episode will provide ways to keep them engaged with tasks they are able to do now.
Safety for your loved one with Alzheimer’s is a primary objective for you as a caregiver. This episode focuses on safety issues with regard to you, the caregiver. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s requires that you are in the best health condition as possible, and be proactive in your own safety and health.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, your loved one may have a more difficult time going shopping. They may become confused and agitated, making your shopping experience stressful. This episode will give you some insight into what they are experiencing, and provide suggestions to make your shopping experience less stressful.
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to think about what you can do to make this time of the year less stressful and more joyful for you and your loved one with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, I list ten tips to help make your holiday season more enjoyable.
Being a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s can be challenging for most. Knowing how to meet these challenges in the early stages allows you to be the best caregiver possible. This episode will provide you with some insights and suggestions for coping with the early stages of your caregiving role.
It is a difficult decision whether or not to take your loved one with Alzheimer’s to a funeral. Knowing that a funeral environment can vary from a simple gathering to a multi-function complex affair, it is vital to understand the various challenges you may face before deciding.
Many caregivers often share their regret for not taking advantage of hospice sooner. In this episode, we clarify what hospice is, how it can help, when best to start, and how it can benefit both the loved one and the caregiver.
Many caregivers ask how they can better help their loved one with Alzheimer's around the house as their memory declines. In this episode, we provide tips and suggestions that help your loved one find things, manage their day, and recognize their own home.
In the second part of this series on delusions, we look at common delusions, their causes, and how to best respond to them.
Delusions are a false belief. As Alzheimer’s progresses, it is not uncommon for your loved one to experience delusions. In the first part of this series, we look at common delusions, their causes, and how to best respond to them.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, your loved one’s preferences, likes and dislikes, and behaviors will change. In this episode, we look at some of the most common change areas and provide tips and suggestions on how to best deal with changes that may surprise you.
As memory and cognitive abilities decline, your loved one’s ability to manage finances, shop and make good purchasing decisions becomes more and more difficult. In this episode, we look at ways to protect their finances and keep your loved one safe.
If your loved one with Alzheimer’s gets up during the night, you need to make sure they are safe. Are they using the bathroom? Or are they just wandering? Do they venture outside alone? In this episode, we discuss concerns for nighttime and provide tips to keep your loved one safe at night.
As your loved one’s cognitive abilities and memory loss decline with Alzheimer’s, they will have more and more trouble with food preparation, shopping, cooking, food storage, and general kitchen safety. In this episode, we look at food safety issues and discuss ways to prevent food-related accidents.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, your loved one’s verbal skills decline, making conversations and interactions more difficult. In this episode, we look at ways to stimulate and engage with your loved one through their senses.
Getting a good night's sleep is important for brain health. Unfortunately, this is not always the case for someone with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we look at common problems associated with inadequate sleep and provide tips to help your loved one get a good night's sleep.
There are many situations and decisions that arise where the caregiver must determine if they should or should not communicate this with the person with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we examine common situations to help determine if you should tell or not tell your loved one about the situation.
Weather can affect a person with Alzheimer’s in various ways. Because of this, there are important issues to be aware of. In this episode, we look at weather-related issues, how to deal with them, and how to be better prepared when the weather seems to turn against you.
Communication is both verbal and non-verbal. For someone with Alzheimer’s, it will increasingly be difficult to understand conversations and interpret your body language and facial expressions. In this episode, we look at ways to help you communicate better verbally and non-verbally.
As someone with Alzheimer’s ages, their vision changes as well. It affects their ability to adjust to the lighting, color contrast, and depth perception. In this episode, we look at ways you can help mitigate these potential problem areas to assure your loved one’s safety and well-being.
As you get older, your vision will change. For someone with Alzheimer’s, it may be difficult for them to understand these changes and learn how to adjust. In this episode, we look at how Alzheimer’s affects vision and provide tips to help your loved one adjust to these changes.
Should you reminisce with your loved with Alzheimer’s? Since Alzheimer’s affects mostly short-term memory, it seems logical to focus on things from the past. But there are some considerations to be aware of. In this episode, we discuss ways to make reminiscing a positive experience.
When visiting a loved one with Alzheimer's at home or in assisted living. There are some things to be aware of to help make your visit as positive and pleasing as possible. In this episode, we help you make the most of your visit and what to expect afterward.
It is not uncommon for caregivers to experience burnout or depression. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming and seemingly never-ending. In this episode, we look at ways to deal with and possibly prevent caregiver burnout and loneliness.
Watching your loved one with Alzheimer’s progress can be overwhelming and isolating for caregivers. The burden of providing day-to-day care often causes caregiver grief. In this episode, we look at the causes of grief and explore ways the caregiver can better manage the emotion of grief.
At the end of the day, it is not uncommon for someone with Alzheimer’s to experience a mood and behavior change commonly known as sundowning. In this episode, we look at sundowning, what it is, what causes it, and ways you can better manage it.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming and challenging. But the caregiver is not the only one who experiences frustration, fear, or anxiety. In this episode, we look at these emotions to give you a better understanding of the causes and ways you can help them.
Individuals with Alzheimer’s can feel anger and depression, emotions they have difficulty understanding, processing, and expressing. In this episode, we discuss anger and depression to give you a better understanding of how to help them through these difficult emotions.
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, memory loss is typically the most common symptom. As the disease progresses, this memory loss will affect their ability to do common things more and more. In this episode, we look at ways to deal with Alzheimer’s in the early stages and provide them with a good quality of life.
Caregivers often feel a sense of guilt when they lose patience or get angry at their loved ones. They can also feel guilt for any number of thoughts or actions taken towards their loved one with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we look at ways to cope with feelings of guilt.
Caregivers often feel a sense of resentment toward family members and friends. Resentment is a common emotion many caregivers experience and can lead to anger, frustration, or depression. In this episode, we look at ways for caregivers to reduce these emotions so they won’t escalate.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming and upsetting. It is not uncommon for caregivers to display anger toward their loved one - and towards just about anything. In this episode, we give you the insight to understand better why you may feel anger and how to cope with the emotion.
Taking your loved one with Alzheimer’s to the emergency room can cause tremendous stress and anxiety for both of you, especially when unexpected. In this episode, we look at ways to better prepare yourself for dealing with the complexity of emergency room visits.
A hospital stay for your loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming and stressful for both of you. In this important episode, we look at some common situations you may face and how to best prepare yourself and your loved one for a stay in a hospital.
When your loved one with Alzheimer’s says something incorrectly, it is a natural reaction to correct them. Unfortunately, this can cause stress and anxiety for someone with cognitive issues. In this episode, we look at common communication approaches to help you in these situations.
Taking your loved one with Alzheimer’s on outings can be positive and enjoyable for both of you. But to do so, it will take more planning and understanding. This episode will look at ways to make outings safer and more pleasurable for everyone.
At the end of the day, caregivers can be physically exhausted. Yet, they must still face the challenges of getting their loved one with Alzheimer’s ready for bed. In this episode, we examine tips and strategies for making bedtime easier and less stressful for you.
Many individuals with Alzheimer’s cannot remember what they had for breakfast but can remember tasks and behaviors from their previous professional life. In this episode, we look at your loved one’s past and how that may explain current behaviors.
Throughout the 100 episodes of this podcast, we receive much feedback on the help the show has provided caregivers. In this episode, we look back at some of the most prominent challenges caregivers face with their loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
When your loved one has difficulty understanding your directions, it can cause frustration for you and anxiety for your loved one with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we look at ways to simplify your communications to help them better understand and follow through with your directions.
Short-term memory loss can cause tremendous frustration for caregivers. But memory loss affects more than just repeated questions. It can have a profound effect on other behaviors of your loved one. In this episode, we look at tips and strategies to help you deal with behaviors caused by memory loss.
Short-term memory loss is one of the most visible symptoms of Alzheimer’s. For caregivers, this behavior can be extremely frustrating. In this episode, we will provide you with tips and strategies for dealing with your loved one’s asking the same question over and over.
In the second part of our discussion on clinical trials, we will examine the specifics of clinical trials, including medications, safety, and benefits of clinical trials.
Many caregivers hear about clinical trials but don’t fully understand what is involved or if their loved one should participate. In this episode, we look at the benefit, requirements, and expectations of participating in a clinical trial.
This episode will help caregivers provide their children with an understanding of Alzheimer’s and how to engage with a loved one who is progressing through the disease. We will discuss misconceptions, concerns, and emotions children may express as they encounter loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
Knowledge is power is especially true when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. One of the best ways to ease the challenges and stresses of caregiving is to educate yourself about the disease. In this episode, we look at what to learn, where to learn and how to learn about caregiving.
As a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, what you expect and what you actually experience may be totally different. In this episode, we discuss expectations and realities and how to manage these in a more positive way.
When you attend an Alzheimer’s support group, you are with other caregivers on the same or similar caregiving journey. Talking with others who know your challenges, frustrations, and what you are experiencing is essential for your education and peace of mind.
Is an Alzheimer’s diagnosis necessary? The answer is an absolute YES. An accurate diagnosis of the type of dementia your loved one has is critical to the proper treatment. In this episode, we cover why a proper and correct diagnosis is essential.
Over half of individuals with Alzheimer’s will wander. As a caregiver, it is important to be aware of some common causes and solutions for keeping your loved one safe. This episode will examine some tips and safety measures to reduce the risk of wandering.
Wandering is a reality that all caregivers must be aware of and understand. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 60 percent of individuals with Alzheimer’s will wander at some point. In this episode, we examine some causes of wandering to help you be proactive.
When a loved one with Alzheimer’s says they “want to go home”, how do you respond when they are living in your home? The answer is not always easy. This episode will provide some insight to help you understand what “home” means, and give you tips on how to respond.
When a loved one with Alzheimer’s says they “want to go home”, how do you respond when they are already in their own home? This episode will provide some insight to help you understand what “home” means, and give you tips on how to respond.
Is it safe to leave someone with Alzheimer’s home alone? Your role as caregiver is to keep your loved one safe. And leaving them home alone poses some dilemmas. In this episode, we discuss some considerations to help you with this decision.
Is there actually a stage where someone with Alzheimer’s gets more angry and agitated? In this episode, we provide a better understanding of why your loved one may become more angry and agitated, and how to reduce or prevent this behavior.
Going out to eat with someone with Alzheimer’s may be difficult, stressful, and sometimes unmanageable. In this episode, we look at ways to make going out to eat a more positive experience that is less stressful for the caregiver and for the loved one.
As the holidays quickly approach, caregivers often ask how to best celebrate the holidays with their loved one with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we look at ways to make the holidays safer and less stressful.
You may not be the primary person responsible for daily care, but you can still have a positive role in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s by supporting the primary caregiver. In this episode, we will look at ways you can help a primary caregiver.
As a caregiver, how do you communicate or respond to your loved one with Alzheimer’s when giving them a truthful answer or explanation is going to make them angry, upset, or confused? In this episode, we look at Therapeutic Fibbing - providing answers your loved one will understand.
Television provides a 24/7 source of entertainment and information and has become an integral part of our lives. For someone with Alzheimer’s, TV may present some serious issues to their well-being. In this episode, we look at TV and whether or not watching TV is a good and proper activity for your Loved one.
As a caregiver, your focus is on taking care of your loved one. But it is equally important to take care of yourself and focus on your own health and well-being. In this episode, we look at ways to avoid major health problems so you can continue to provide the best care for your loved one.
During routine healthcare visits, your loved one’s doctor may prescribe additional tests, screenings or procedures. As a caregiver, it is important to understand these procedures and how they can affect someone with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we look at important questions to ask your doctor or clinician.
Managing your loved one’s overall health is extremely important. As Alzheimer’s progresses, caregivers often ask if they should continue with routine care visits and screenings. This episode will address common caregiver questions about managing their loved one’s health.
Most of us have already experienced the joy and unconditional love a pet can bring to a home. Caregivers often ask if it is appropriate to bring a pet into the home of someone with Alzheimer’s - especially when they live alone. In this episode, we look at issues with pets and Alzheimer’s.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, your loved one may do or say something quite out of the ordinary. So when is it appropriate to let it go vs confronting or correcting them over these issues? In this episode, we look at common situations that may require you to either deal with the situation or just let it go.
When it is time to move your loved one into your home, there are a number of important considerations that need to be addressed. In this episode, we look at these considerations and provide guidance on how to actually make the move.
Sometimes, it is necessary to move your parent with Alzheimer’s into your home because it is no longer safe to live alone. In this episode, we examine how to make the decision and what to do in advance of moving your loved one into your home.
As a caregiver, your goal is to manage their health and safety, and maximize their quality of life. But when pain enters the equation, it can make these goals difficult to achieve. In this episode, we look at pain - recognizing, managing, and the side effects of pain.
Because someone with Alzheimer’s has diminished short-term memory, they often live in the moment. They don’t remember what they did earlier in the day, and they don’t know anything about tomorrow. They only know what is happening right now. In this episode, we look at ways to best navigate issues that arise with living in the moment.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, your loved one may say things that aren’t true or accurate. They may make things up, say something totally out of context, or say something quite surprising. In this episode, we look at ways to best respond to these issues and avoid increasing agitation with your loved one.
Has your loved one with Alzheimer’s ever accused you of stealing their things? What do you do? How do you respond? In this episode, we explore why this happens and how to best respond to the accusations to avoid increasing agitations and conflicts.
Dementia vs Alzheimer’s - what is the difference? Often, caregivers say their loved one has dementia without knowing what TYPE of dementia they have. Without knowing, confusion may occur in determining how to best manage the disease and help the loved one maintain a quality of life.
One challenge caregivers face is determining whether or not their loved one with Alzheimer’s is able to live alone. In this episode, we look at general safety, food safety, driving, financial issues, health, and medical concerns to consider in making this determination.
Do you find yourself in situations that are upsetting because of what your loved one says to you? Do you find conversations sometimes hurtful? In this episode, we examine some triggers and behaviors that may cause these moments and give you some insight and suggestions for how to deal with them.
This episode explains the difference between palliative care and hospice and highlights the benefits to help people fully live a quality of life for as long as they can. We will explain the benefits, dispel misconceptions, and give you the information you need to take advantage of this specialized care for your loved one.
There are many decisions you need to make once you receive the diagnosis that your loved one has Alzheimer’s. One of the most important is determining who you should tell, when to tell, and what exactly to tell people.
Traveling with your loved one can be challenging, upsetting, rewarding, stressful, or fulfilling. Advanced planning, flexibility and realistic expectations are key to making your trip more enjoyable for both you and your loved one with Alzheimer’s.
One of the most important aspects of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is learning to effectively communicate with them. As their memory declines, you will need to change how you talk to them, and how you respond to some of the things they say and do.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, your loved one may experience different types of behaviors that are more challenging for you as a caregiver. In this episode, we look at delusions - what they are, how to respond, and ways to minimize them.
Everyone with Alzheimer’s experiences their environment differently. So it is important for the safety and well-being of your loved one that you be aware of how the home environment affects your loved one, how they perceive things around them, and what changes need to be made.
Caregivers often wonder if they are at risk for getting Alzheimer’s. Is it hereditary? Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do that will definitely prevent Alzheimer’s. But there are many things you CAN do to reduce your risk for getting Alzheimer’s.
Should you leave your loved one with Alzheimer's home alone? This is an important question since the safety of your loved one is a major concern. In this episode, we will examine some important questions to ask yourself to help you decide when it is no longer safe to leave them alone.
How do you best communicate with someone who has Alzheimer’s? In this episode, we will discuss ways to adjust how you talk to individuals in order to meet their diminished abilities to comprehend what you are saying to them.
Caregiving goals and forming a goal plan can be instrumental in helping caregivers successfully manage the enormous task of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. In this episode, we look at the areas of caregiving where a goal plan can be helpful.
Being proactive is the ability to foresee or anticipate issues and plan in advance to prevent them. As a caregiver, the more proactive you can be, the better you are able to meet the challenges of caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
Caregivers often say they feel alone in their journey. Connecting with other caregivers to learn and share is helpful in both educating yourself and as a source of support and information to help you in your caregiving journey.
When should you have legal documents in place? What are the risks of waiting and not taking action? Attorney Michelangelo Mortellaro discusses the hard truths of inaction, and the importance of having the proper documents in place to assure continued care for your loved one.
Family caregivers often feel challenged with keeping their loved one with Alzheimer’s busy and occupied in the home. In this episode, we give you some practical information, tips, and activities to keep your loved one engaged and active at home.
In the second part of this series on incontinence, we take a closer look at ways caregivers can manage a loved one with incontinence and cope with this aspect of caregiving.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be very challenging. Add incontinence and caregiving can become overwhelming to manage. In the first part of this series, we discuss ways to manage incontinence and provide tips and suggestions for caregivers.
Caring for a loved one is often stressful and exhausting for family members. An excellent resource is adult daycare centers which are available in many communities and can benefit both the loved one and the family caregiver.
As your loved one’s Alzheimer’s progresses, what legal documents should you have in place? Attorney Michelangelo Mortellaro discusses financial and legal issues for caregivers and the importance of having the proper documents in place to assure continued care for your loved one.
As a caregiver, you may have already experienced your loved one’s cognitive decline. As Alzheimer’s progresses, this cognitive loss will affect their ability to comprehend and process situations and respond appropriately.
Listening to music and playing music can have numerous benefits to your brain, body, and health. This episode will focus on the benefits of music for someone with Alzheimer’s and how to incorporate music into your caregiving day.
New caregivers can often feel overwhelmed and not sure about what to do first in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. This episode will discuss information, tips, and suggestions for caregivers to start their caregiving journey.
We all know Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease and that sooner or later, decline and loss will present themselves. When these are unexpected, it can cause additional stress to the caregiver. In this episode, we focus on unexpected declines and unexpected positives of Alzheimer’s disease.
When a loved one with Alzheimer’s suddenly exhibits a behavior you have not seen before, how should you respond? What do these behaviors indicate? In this episode, we focus on common behaviors that can suddenly present themselves.
Caregiving for a person with Alzheimer’s is challenging enough by itself. When unexpected issues and behaviors arise, they can add to the complexity and difficulty of caregiving. In this episode, we look at unexpected and difficult conversations.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, your loved one may ask questions that seem more and more illogical. In this episode, I explain the strategy behind therapeutic fibbing and how to provide answers to their question they can understand – even if it is not the actual correct answer.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s who doesn’t live near you can be very challenging. In this episode, I speak with Genevieve Faulk, a licensed clinical social worker, who offers tips and resources for long-distance caregiving.
Fall prevention is important for both the caregiver and the person with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we look at fall prevention factors that can reduce the risk of a catastrophic fall.
Falls are a concern for older adults and can have a catastrophic effect on a person’s health, independence, and quality of life. In this episode, we focus on fall prevention for the caregiver and ways to reduce the potential risks.
Caregivers are often unaware of the many symptoms and behaviors of Alzheimer’s and, unfortunately, make incorrect assumptions regarding the behaviors of their loved ones with Alzheimer’s. In part two of this series, I discuss some of the most common assumptions and provide clarity to help you as a caregiver.
Caregivers are often unaware of the many symptoms and behaviors of Alzheimer’s and, unfortunately, make incorrect assumptions regarding the behaviors of their loved ones with Alzheimer’s. In this episode, I discuss some of the most common assumptions and provide clarity to help you as a caregiver.
Making the decision to move a loved one to assisted living or memory care is very emotional and difficult. In this episode, I speak with Taylor Conley who offers helpful information and insight for helping caregivers navigate the many issues and emotions involved with moving a loved one.
When is it no longer safe for a loved one with Alzheimer’s to be driving? It is one of the most common issues facing caregivers. In this episode, I speak with occupational therapist Lori Grismore about how caregivers should approach the decision to take driving privileges away.
Whether you are a new caregiver or have been caregiving for years, you are often faced with difficult challenges, questions, and situations that are confusing. In the first part of this series, we address some of the most common questions asked by family caregivers.
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the person loses cognitive abilities which greatly affects their safety in the home. In this episode, we examine several tips and strategies for making the home a safer place for your loved one.
The holiday season can be overwhelming for loved ones with Alzheimer’s – and stressful for their caregivers. In this episode, I reveal some helpful tips and strategies for making the holiday season safe, less stressful, enjoyable, and meaningful.
The holiday season can be overwhelming for loved ones with Alzheimer’s – and stressful for their caregivers. In part 2 of this series, I reveal more helpful tips and strategies for making the holiday season safe, less stressful, enjoyable, and meaningful.
Creating a safe environment is especially important when you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. In this episode, we look at ways to make the home a safer place for someone who is losing cognitive abilities.
In the second part of this series, we continue with our discussion with Dr. Jasmine Cutler on medication management, including supplements and herbals, and how they affect someone with Alzheimer’s.
All medications come with directions on when to take them, how to take them, how much to take, and what to take them with. Remembering all these directions can be a challenge, especially for someone with Alzheimer’s or memory loss. In part one of this series, Dr. Jasmine Cutler discusses the important information caregivers need to know about medication management for someone with Alzheimer’s.
Dressing can often be frustrating for the person with Alzheimer’s - and quite challenging for caregivers. This episode will give you a better perspective and provide tips and strategies to make dressing easier and less stressful.
Mealtime, food choices, and nutrition can all be affected by Alzheimer’s. What once was an enjoyable activity can often be more challenging as Alzheimer’s progresses. In this episode, we examine tips and strategies for improving mealtime, eating out, and keeping your loved one safe and healthy.
Keeping the kitchen a safe place for someone with Alzheimer’s can be a challenge for caregivers, especially as the disease progresses. In this episode, we look at ten ways caregivers can make the kitchen a safer place for their loved ones.
In the second part of our discussion with Dr. Amanda Smith, she will talk about medications and their effect on slowing Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Smith concludes the discussion with an overview of clinical trials and the benefits of participating.
In the first part of this discussion with Dr. Amanda Smith, you will gain a better understanding of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, the behavioral changes you might see, and the importance of getting a correct diagnosis.
In part 3 of this series, we continue our discussion on activities by providing tips and strategies you can use to keep your loved one with Alzheimer’s active and engaged.
In part 2 of this series, we continue our discussion on keeping your loved ones active by providing tips, strategies you might use to keep them happy and engaged.
How we fill our days and time makes a difference in the quality of our lives. This is especially true for someone with Alzheimer’s. In the first part of this series, we look at activities, strategies, and considerations for keeping your loved one with Alzheimer’s active and healthy.
Safety for someone with Alzheimer’s can be complex and challenging for caregivers. In part 2 of this series, we continue the discussion by examining medication safety, concerns with staying home alone, and wandering.
Safety for someone with Alzheimer’s can be complex and challenging for caregivers. In the first part of this series, we examine emotional and financial safety as well as caregiver safety - which is equally important.
Safety for someone with Alzheimer’s is one of the greatest challenges for caregivers. In this episode, we look at the challenges that affect safety, and the issues caregivers face in maintaining a safe environment for their loved ones.
Caregivers often ask if there is anything they should be doing to help their loved one with Alzheimer’s in addition to giving them the prescribed medication. . In this episode, we look at 10 ways caregivers can help their loved ones stay healthy and maximize their cognitive function and quality of life.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming and stressful. Caregivers may not be able to get rid of all the stress, but there are definitely things to do that greatly help reduce caregiver stress. In this episode, we will identify the major causes of stress and discuss ways caregivers can reduce their stress and feelings of being overwhelmed.
In the second part of this series, attorney Michelangelo Mortellaro discusses financial and legal issues for caregivers and the importance of having the proper legal and financial documents in place to assure continued care for your loved one.
In part 1 of this series, attorney Michelangelo Mortellaro explains the important legal documents caregivers should have in place, what they provide caregivers, and the importance of having these documents prepared and signed before their loved one progresses much further with Alzheimer’s.
In the third part of this series, we conclude the discussion on challenging behaviors by providing an in-depth discussion of behavioral management techniques with plenty of examples and practical tips for caregivers.
In the second part of this series, we continue the discussion on challenging behaviors by examining the challenging behaviors of hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and illusions.
Knowing how to manage the challenging behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s is one of the most difficult tasks for caregivers. In the first part of this series, we discuss agitation and aggression your loved one may exhibit, and how to prevent, manage and de-escalate these behaviors.
In the third part of this series, we address common questions regarding activities, planning your day, and why your loved one accuses people of stealing.
In the second part of this series, we will continue to address some of the most common questions asked by family caregivers and provide practical information, answers, and tips for caregiving.
Whether you are a new caregiver or have been caregiving for years, you are often faced with difficult challenges, questions, and situations that are confusing. In the first part of this series, we address some of the most common questions asked by family caregivers.
There are two realities. There is your reality, which sees the world for what it really is. Then there is the Alzheimer’s reality. In this episode, we discuss how to improve interactions with your loved one with Alzheimer’s by living in their reality.
When someone becomes a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, there are many questions asked about the journey ahead. What do I do? How do I become a better caregiver? This episode will give new caregivers helpful and important information they need to begin their journey of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s.
Caregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s is stressful in normal conditions. With Covid, caregiving can easily be overwhelming. In this episode, we look at ways to provide proper care and reduce the stress of caregiving during a pandemic.
As the director of education at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, I understand the challenges you face caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Each episode of this podcast will address these challenges and provide information to personally help you on your caregiving journey.