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8 Early Warning Signs of Parkinson’s Disease
Thanks to AARP's Jen A Miller for this excellent article. My dear husband, Richard, exhibited all of them. Some signs of Parkinson’s disease are ones most of us recognize, such as tremor and trouble walking. But very early signs of the disease, which can appear a...
The Science of Mattering: Why Feeling Significant Is So Significant
Zach Mercurio's article The Science of Mattering: Why Feeling Significant Is So Significant resonates with me. People with dementia or other challenges still need to feel that they are important, that they matter. Everyone does. Zack describes how feeling...
Top Tips for Self-Care as a Caregiver
As a caregiver, you may have heard the term "self-care" mentioned quite a bit. It's an important topic for caregivers—one many don't know enough about. Below are some top self-care tips for you and your loved one. Thanks to Beverly Nelson of Stand Up for Caregivers...
Compassion and Choices: Another dementia and end of life resource
In my last blog I shared the link to the Five Wishes, a legally binding document describing your end-of-life decisions. In this blog, I share two additional dementia and end-of-life tools. These are from Compassion and Choices organization, which is a fabulous and...
Make your final wishes known in advance
The New York Times recently had a powerful article titled Who Are We Caring for in the I.C.U.? It features a doctor reckoning with patient’s family members insisting on care that the patient may not want. It breaks my heart that families don't talk with each other...
David Kessler has helped me a lot as I move through grief
I just got through my 5th holiday season as a widow. They get easier, but can still suck. I've put a lot of effort into being a better person through it all. The journey is a long, but I'm grateful for it. David Kessler's work has really helped me a lot of over the...
Embracing Parkinson’s with Grace
I love and appreciate this article about Nancy and her husband John, who has Parkinson's. I completely agree that Parkinson's is what you make of it. Flow with the changes, cultivate gratitude, and embrace your new normal. “Normal is whatever you are living at the...
How to Get Extra Care at Home When You Need It
This article was first published in Consumer Reports and is written by Kevin Loria. Assistance with personal care, finances, errands, and more can help older people protect their independence and live at home longer. Here’s some advice about where to turn. When it...
How to Help Your Senior Neighbors Navigate Age-Related Challenges
Are your senior neighbors living alone? Without family nearby to help, they might feel isolated and alone in facing the challenges of aging. You can serve as an invaluable source of support to the seniors living in your neighborhood, regardless of your availability....
How to Upgrade Your Home for Someone With Dementia
Thanks to Hazel Bridges of for this excellent and practical article. You can reach her at hbridges@agingwellness.org Dementia affects about 5 million Americans aged 65 and older. It can be hard to watch a loved one face this diagnosis. Eventually, you might choose to...