I made a big mistake with one of my companions with dementia recently. I made a decision that left them feeling uncomfortable, and insecure in my presence. It wasn’t obvious at first, but their responses later in the week made it clear that my decision had eroded trust. It’s not the first time I’ve made mistakes when providing dementia care. …
No one asks to get dementia. And all of us hope to do what we can to prevent it. But before I dive into how we as women can reduce our risk of developing dementia, I must first speak out that there is hope in dementia. I’ve watched it. I’ve lived it. The truth that when we handle correctly the…
My Mom taught me hard work and duty to family. She grew up poor with seven siblings and minimal education, married at 22, and had me at 23. She showed me what sacrifice looked like when she and my dad moved our family from Taiwan to Texas to build a better life for me and my brother because we both…
Imagine, as the reader of this post, that you realize you need a few items from the grocery store for dinner. So you make a list, put on your coat, grab your wallet, the keys, and “Oh wait! I don’t drive anymore. Now let me think. How am I going to get to the grocery store now? Hmm. Well, I’ll…
My oldest daughter got married on March 13th, just four weeks ago. The day of her lovely wedding, Corona Virus was just a hint. By the time we all flew home 2 days later, the airports were eerily empty and our country was showing signs of shutting down. While on her honeymoon, she learned that the company with whom she’d…
My friend Lana is living with dementia. And she loves to tell me the stories of “way back when”. In fact, she’s like 100% of my companions with dementia…they love to tell stories from their deep past, usually from their youth and early adulthood. And I on purpose lead them to tell those stories, because it brings them joy. But…
Have a loved one in your family who is living with dementia and want to give them something meaningful for Christmas? Read on... Your time. Give them the gift of your time, to simply sit with them, let them share a favorite story from their life, and be well together.About that story of theirs....100% of our friends with dementia derive…
The holidays are upon us and for many it can be a time of mixed emotions. Family and festivities can bring no-so-festive feelings, stress, drama, outspoken uncle Joe. Gatherings that include a loved one living with dementia can add an additional layer of emotions - but it is up to us as caregivers and family members to create an environment…
What about that annoying tag in the back of your shirt? When was the last time you had an annoying tag in the back of your shirt? You probably didn't last long before you were looking for a pair of scissors to cut that tag right outta there, or asking someone to do it for you. The pokes and tickles…
37 1/2 years....I've been a runner longer than many of my kids' teachers have been alive. Throughout the unpredictable, the unexpected, the hard, the beautiful, the mundane, the richness of life. Running has been a thread that has seen me through what was hard as a kid, an impossible marriage, the early loss of my Mom and oldest brother. Running…
