The Alzheimer’s Association has made major impact its services and education for caregivers, funding for research, and dedication to enhancing awareness of this sinister illness. However, we know that we’ll need the support of our state and national governments to truly change the course of this disease. That’s why advocacy is another central part of our mission. We work to …
February Caregiver Connection: UTIs, Risks and Detection
If you asked a random sample of people to list the possible dangers that threaten the health of a person with dementia, chances are that few would name urinary tract infections. But senior citizens, and particularly people with dementia, are especially vulnerable to this common infection, and may suffer greater health consequences if the infection goes undetected. Learn more about …
January Caregiver Connection: Handling Guilt
It is normal to feel guilty during the process of caregiving. But feelings of guilt aren’t always healthy or appropriate; we may set unrealistic expectations for ourselves, and feel guilty when we don’t meet these expectations. In this case, guilt can drain our emotional energy and make us less effective caregivers. Luckily, there are things you can do to deal …
Holiday Tips from Wimberley Support Group Leaders
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] For many years, caregivers in Hays County have had access to a truly caring and supportive peer community. That’s thanks to the hard work of Linda Germain and Annette Dunn, facilitators of the Wimberley Caregiver Support …
December Caregiver Connection: Holiday Caregiving Issues
The holidays can be a stressful time for us all, but those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s face an added set of challenges, both practical and emotional. Dealing with grief during this cheery season, whether you’re grieving a deceased loved one or grieving the many daily losses of dementia, is very difficult. Furthermore, attending to holiday shopping, hosting …
November Caregiver Connection: Different Types of Dementia
Sometimes, you hear the words “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same thing. Dementia is a condition that can be caused by many different diseases or medical conditions, of which Alzheimer’s disease is one. Learn more about the many other types of dementia after the jump!
Nobel Prize Winning Research Sheds Light on Alzheimer’s
This year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine is being awarded to three scientists for their contributions to our understanding of the brain’s internal “GPS system.” Their findings may have groundbreaking implications for Alzheimer’s disease research. The research shows that certain cells in the brain help us mark our position, understand where we are in space, and help us learn spatial …
October Caregiver Connection: Shadowing
Many caregivers can relate to this unsettling experience: waking up in the middle of the night, still in the hazy with sleep, to find the person you care for standing over your bed watching you. This is one of the behaviors associated with “shadowing,” when the care recipient wants to remain near the caregiver at all times. Living with the …
How to Help a Family with Alzheimer’s
As a friend of a family care team facing the challenge of Alzheimer’s disease, it can be hard to know how to help. You may not know how to communicate with the person with dementia, or how to respond to their worsening symptoms. You may not be able to spend as much time with their caregiver as you used …
Basic Communication Tips
One of the most persistent struggles for family and professional caregivers is communicating with a person suffering from dementia. As language and reasoning abilities decline, frustration, agitation, and arguments are more likely to arise. Here are some basic tips to remember when you interact with a person with dementia. People with Alzheimer’s not only lose the ability to organize thoughts into sentences …