Caregiver Insights
Insights for Every Step of the Journey
Real stories, practical guidance, and compassionate perspectives — written by caregivers who understand what you're going through.
Caregiver Insights
Understanding Dementia
Gain insight into what dementia is — and what it isn't.
Normal Aging Versus Alzheimer's Disease
It’s important to understand the difference between normal age-related memory changes and memory loss...
A Peek Inside the Alzheimer's Brain
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by physiological changes in the brain, including atrophy and a breakdown...
What You Need to Know
We take so much for granted, and we are likely to make assumptions that are misinformed.
A Letter from Your Loved One’s Heart
I want to share all the good times we have had together in the past and join you as the future unfolds.
Caregiving After Three Years
We learned to love and live with the one who met our dreams We thrived on becoming and remaining intertwined...
Changing Friendships
My mom had more friends than anyone I know as she moved through her life! She kept in touch with high school friends...
Crying is a Blessing
For many of us, the tears that have come over the years have been stifled by this unwritten code of conduct.
What is Anosognosia
Imagine for a moment that you strongly believe that you are healthy, mentally fit, and fully capable of taking care...
The Caregiver's Song
“Remember,” she says. “You must take care of yourself.” “It will make you a better caregiver,” she says.
The Power of Love
We moved my mom into Cherrywood a year ago. It was rough. Really rough. Dad and I were lost without her. The move came...
Journal Insights about Caregiving
Journaling during the dementia journey can reduce stress and provide relief. Taking time to step back and reflect can also be..
Caregiver Insights
Caregiver Suggestions
Practical guidance for the day-to-day realities of caregiving.
Finding Life Balance
We all face times when dementia caregiving becomes overwhelming. Grief begins earlier in the journey than we expect it.
Your Loved One’s Wish List
Happiness is rooted in our relationships. As Brené Brown said, “Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose...
Caring for Yourself
Self-care for Alzheimer’s caregivers is a more serious issue than most caregivers realize.
Making Caregiving Less Difficult
You care, and you want this journey to be as gentle as possible for your loved one and for you.
Support Groups
Caregiving for people with dementia is a challenging and lonely business, especially for first-time caregivers who...
A Special Caregivers Tool
When writing Thoughts for Alzheimer’s Caregivers, I cherry picked my daily journal entries because I wanted to capture...
When Dementia Challenges Love
We don’t like to admit it, but every caregiver faces times when it all seems too much. It is agonizing watching our loved...
Surviving the Caregiver's Journey
Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers learn that good advice from knowledgeable sources makes the journey...
Another Approach to Caregiving
Being a caregiver is demanding, and if you let it, caregiving can become too demanding. It can cause sleepless nights,...
Non-verbal Communication Matters
Humans are born with an innate ability to form social bonds. From birth on, we understand facial expressions, cry for attention,
Take a Deep Look in the Mirror
Caregivers deserve more peace of mind. You try your hardest. As a caregiver you are there for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia every day.
Making a Difference
Caregiving for people with dementia is hard – really hard! This life-changing challenge brings sadness, fatigue, stress, anger, and a host of other unwanted emotions.
Common Misconceptions
Dementia caregiving is a challenging and different world. What has worked well in our relationships in the past is frequently no longer appropriate.
Time for Memory Care?
There are many reasons why those of us who are Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers usually wait longer than we should before we move...
Selecting a Memory Care Facility
I’ve learned a lot since then. Now when I go to Cherrywood, I see the residents as survivors and the staff as miracle workers. Individual residents have...
After One Year of Memory Care
A year ago, we moved Gayla to Balfour’s Cherrywood Village memory care campus, amid many questions, concerns and fears.
Caregiver Insights
Dealing with Challenges
Honest support for caregiving's hardest moments.
Stress
For dementia caregivers, what do short-term memory loss, repetitive questions, poor concentration, faulty reasoning, confusion...
When to Get Tested
Each family’s experience is different, and this will explain ours. We first noticed short-term memory lapses and repetitive questions more than ten years ago.
Taking Away the Car Keys
One of the great events as we grow up is getting our first driver’s license. It is a rite of passage that creates opportunities for independence and freedom.
Dealing with Grief
Grief lingers and comes in waves. Douglas Abrams observed, "Grief is the reminder of the depth of our love…
Dealing with Obstinance
The challenges of being an Alzheimer’s or dementia caregiver are compounded when our loved ones are unwilling to cooperate.
Dealing with Aggressive Behavior
Most people with Alzheimer’s will have aggressive or angry behavior occasionally. Some are aggressive frequently.
Sleeplessness
Caregiving can feel like a curse. You live with it each day, you do the best that you can, but it is stressful and tiring.
Caregiving Your Parents
Caring for a parent who has Alzheimer’s or dementia is a heartbreaking experience. You have been connected since birth.
Awkward Moments
Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias are certain to cause awkward moments. Irreversible brain damage leads confusion...
Unnecessary Guilt
Becoming a dementia or Alzheimer’s caregiver was never part of our life plan, and most of us are not well...
The Journey Comes to an End
When Gayla was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, I knew there would be no happy ending. There wasn’t.
Caregiver Insights
Viewpoints
Reflective perspectives from caregivers who've walked this road.
Reflections on Aging
When we were younger, we challenged the future with optimism. We believed that it was not enough to just be.
The Secret to Overcoming Adversity
There is no answer that is universally applicable, but people who excel in challenging situations have an approach...
Maintaining Caregiver Health
Lasting love is the most precious treasure life has to offer. To maintain it for you and your loved one, the best thing you can...
Communicating in the Dementia World
“ The Creating Moments of Joy ” caregiving strategy is practical and successful. Positive thinking is beneficial in all family…
Why Men Are Reluctant to Participate in Support Groups
Fortunately, society has progressed since my generation grew up in the post-World War II era.
Suggested Activities
Far too often, I ran out of ideas on how to spend our time together. Here are some suggestions for you to consider.
Caregiver Insights
Humor
I don’t know what we just did, but I had a great time doing it.
All caregivers know about stress, but we also have experiences that are uplifting or funny.
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