Sharing wisdom that comes from parenting our parents
Anger and aggressive behavior are among the most challenging realities many caregivers face. When dementia progresses, personality changes, verbal outbursts, threats, and other forms of aggression can become symptoms of the disease itself. Understanding this does not make those moments hurt any less, but it can help caregivers recognize that these behaviors are often part …
Continue reading "Anger, Aggression, and the Unexpected Growth of a Caregiver"
I guess you haven’t lived until your mother leaves you an expletive-filled phone message because she doesn’t understand what is happening around her. There are shadowy characters she believes are sneaking into her apartment to rob her of her belongings—belongings she once told me she donated when she downsized to her current residence. Try making …
Continue reading "When Dementia Turns Fear Into Anger: Understanding Agitation as a Caregiver"
There’s a moment in dementia caregiving that no one really prepares you for. Not the diagnosis, not the paperwork, not even the first time you have to explain what a “remote control” is… again. It’s the quieter realization that somewhere along the way, the roles have flipped. You’re no longer just the child. Congratulations, you’ve …
You know. When things shifted away from the older generations to focus on younger ones. I missed it too but it seems to have coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Or at least society’s exaggerated response to the presence of the new virus. This post-COVID shift of attention and resources away from seniors is, from where …
