If you are responsible for caring for a loved one, you will need to organize your loved one’s medical information and medical/legal documents for effective caregiving. Here is an annotated list of information and documents for you to gather. Medical Information List of doctors—include name, specialty, phone number, and address for each. List of prescriptions—include name of drug, dosage, and …
Miraculous Music!
G. Allen Power, M.D. has redefined dementia from the perspective of the person living with dementia as, “Dementia is a shift in the way a person experiences the world around her/him.” What a universal human experience music can be. Music connects us with others who are present as well as connecting us with memories. Rhythm is usually preserved in a …
When End of Life Decisions are Difficult to Honor
This month we have a special guest author for our Alzheimer’s Texas Blog, Carmen Buck, former nurse practitioner who has helped many families cope with the challenges of dementia. Sarah and her father discussed his Living Will 10 years ago. Howard went to his attorney and updated his will, created a living will, a medical power of attorney (assigned his …
Celebrating the 25th Annual Travis County Alzheimer’s Texas Walk
Alzheimer’s Texas (formerly known as the Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas Chapter) has served Central Texas for over 30 years. This year, we commemorate two important anniversaries: the 25th Annual Alzheimer’s Texas Walk in Travis County, and the very first year that 100% proceeds for all 5 of our Walks will remain here in Central Texas, to be used …
Working with Facility Staff
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the person’s needs change, and the time will likely come when you aren’t able to care for your loved one at home. Ensuring that your loved one receives the care they need by finding an appropriate long-term care setting doesn’t mean that you’re no longer a critical component of their care team. On the contrary, you …
Helping Your Loved One Adjust to an In-Home Caregiver
As Alzheimer’s progresses, the person with the disease will likely need a level of supervision and assistance that one caregiver can’t provide without assistance. Often, this situation necessitates that professional caregivers come into the home. It’s not uncommon for people with dementia to resist this change. Having to spend the day with a person you’ve never met and allowing them …
#ALZTXmemories Photo Contest!
For 32 years, Alzheimer’s Texas has been a resource for people and families in Austin facing the challenge of dementia. We are committed to providing the services our community needs, and support for research that will one day make Alzheimer’s itself just a memory. We’re so committed to the needs of this community that, earlier this year, we separated from …
Bathing
Hygiene is critical for our general well-being, but getting a person with Alzheimer’s to bathe can be a major challenge. This intimate activity can make a person feel exposed, physically uncomfortable, and threatened. In turn, they may act out in disruptive ways. Such behavior often occurs because the person doesn’t remember the purpose or need for bathing, or doesn’t have …
Sundowning
Caregivers might notice that their loved one is especially agitated or confused during the late afternoon or early evening. The person might to get anxious, restless, irritable, demanding, or suspicious around the time of day when the sun goes down. Studies indicate that as many as 20% of people with dementia experience this symptom. End-of-day confusion and agitation, or “sundowning” …
Healthy Family Communication
Unproductive communication styles can take years to develop, so that by the time a family really needs to work together to care for a loved one with a dementing illness they’re hamstrung by toxic interpersonal dynamics. A family can have all the resources they need to provide for the person with dementia, but if they can’t agree on the right …