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Asking about vaccine status isn’t a question of etiquette but of public health
Many of our loved ones have compromised immune systems but we may be hesitant to ask if those around us are vaccinated. This article rightly points out that asking about vaccine status isn’t a question of etiquette but of public health, at work or in other situations...
We don’t ‘move on’ from grief, we move forward with it
Nora McInerny's 15 minute Ted Talk highlights that we don't move on from grief, we move forward with it. To me, this is an important observation and really resonates with me....
Difficult Decisions: Considering Assisted Living – By Lydia Chan of Alzheimer’s Caregiver
It is challenging to observe a loved one struggle during their senior years. Sometimes, older people can make adaptations in daily life to remain at home. However, when the efforts to sustain independent living are not enough, it may be time to consider assisted...
How Food May Improve Your Mood: Combating Stress and Depression
Caregiving is stressful and depressing. So is having Parkinson's. The sugar-laden, high-fat foods we often crave when we are stressed or depressed, as comforting as they are, may be the least likely to benefit our mental health. This New York Times article provides...
How Exercise Enhances Aging Brains
Exercise can change how crucial portions of our brain communicate as we age, improving aspects of thinking and remembering, according to a fascinating new study of aging brains and aerobic workouts. Sedentary, older adults who took aerobic dance classes twice a week...
Focus on Your Breathing to Manage Anxiety
Even four years after my husband's passing, I still have trouble breathing. I still find myself holding my breath in an attempt to suppress the pain. This article is helpful and I will take its advice....
What to Do When a Loved One Should No Longer Drive
I recently participated in a family intervention to convince my mother that it is no longer safe for her to drive. My mom's dementia is in early stages, but is interfering with some abilities. She was defensive and insisted it was a problem with the car, not her. But...
The Healing Power of Music – Every Day and During Surgery
Music is a powerful tool for managing emotions. My dear husband Richard had Parkinson's and Lewy-body dementia, and needed 24 hour caregiver support. We listened to his favorite rock music to get him up and ready for the day. We listened to classical music to calm...
We are Grieving the World We Have Now Lost
Grief is a response to a change we didn't want. We grieve when a loved one has a disease like Parkinson's or dementia and is declining with no hope of recovery. And we're grieving over the losses we are experiencing from Covid-19 and the world that we knew that is...
The 6 Elements We All Need in Grief
This is a difficult time of year for me. It's the 4th year I have spent the holidays as a widow. I don't like that job title. Not at all. It's a time of year I need to be proactive to manage my emotions. David Kessler is the grief specialist and author of many...