JacquelineMarcell

Demented--Does Not Mean Stupid!

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME!WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story!When I was taking care of my elderly parents, both with early Alzheimer's (just one type of dementia), I was so astonished by the many creative and crafty manipulations my father came up with. One time he hid the car keys and we couldn't find them for four days. We patted him down, searched every inch of the house, and begged him to give them up. He swore a blue streak at us that we must have just lost them, which was impossible since we drove there. Finally one morning we heard, "click, click, click", as he shuffled to the kitchen table. "Daaaad, what's that clicking noise?" More…

Alzheimer's Tip-Ask the Age and Live in Their Reality of the Moment

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME!WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story! A couple weeks ago, I went to my family reunion in Montana and found myself on a mission discreetly observing all the many elders for any signs of dementia! As my favorite Aunt Aggie (86) and I chatted away for hours, I asked how old she was--which she was not pleased with. Not only did she pass all my subtle little tests with flying colors--so did her husband of 65 years, my dear Uncle Roy (89). Wow, that is so unusual, as nearly 50% of those over 85 will be afflicted with some form of dementia, usually Alzheimer's. How blessed their daughter is, being able to watch over them without the additional strain of dementia. More…

Dementia Patients More Active With Routine Pain Meds

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME! WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story! Oftentimes dementia patients don't even realize that they are experiencing low-level pain, which prevents their willingness to participate in activities. However, patients who are routinely given pain medication, often become more interested in activities. I noticed this syndrome in both of my parents, and with their doctor's permission we experimented with a variety of over-the-counter pain medications. On the days they received the medication, I was able to get them to take more of their "walks" from the family room to the living room. When I withheld the medication-they pooped out much faster and just didn't "feel like it." More…

Downsizing Mom to Move Into Assisted Living

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME!WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story! I am hearing from more people lately who are struggling with how to sort through their parents' many years (only fifty or sixty!) of stuff, so they can move them to Assisted Living or a Nursing Home. Even though I have never been a big collector of stuff, it was hard for me to do--just moving from a home to a condo! Also, my dear friend Sarah is going through it right now with her elderly mom who shouldn't be alone anymore in her big house--and wants to be in the same facility where her husband is in the nursing/dementia care area. Sarah flew to Florida to make it happen, but said it got so intense trying to convince her mom to let go of stuff--that when the mom wanted to take her wedding dress, Sarah had to go out to the car and just scream for a while! More…

Denial of Short-Term Memory Loss: Common Problem Preventing Early Treatment of Alzheimer's

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME!WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story! After years of advocating about the importance of early diagnosis of any type of dementia (Alzheimer's is one type), I would have to say that denial is still the biggest factor in preventing early diagnosis and treatment.  Even my own friends, who have endured my harping for years about getting their parents evaluated at the first signs of short-term memory loss, seem to procrastinate and wait until a crisis. I couldn't understand how denial could be so prevalent and why anyone would want to wait, since there are medications that can slow dementia down and mask the symptoms. That is huge--because it buys some more independent time and it gives medical science more time to come up with better medications to delay further-or maybe even a cure. But then I started to understand denial very well when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, as I just couldn't believe it was happening to me. More…

Advocates: Know Your Loved One's Medications--and All Possible Side Effects

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME! WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story! People often tell me every detail of their struggles with a loved one's odd behaviors and symptoms, but when I ask what medications are being taken--I most often get a blank stare and an embarrassed stutter. "Ummm, well, I don't know them all. We just give her whatever the doctor says." One of the biggest things you can do as an advocate for a loved one is to become very familiar with all of the prescribed medications and over-the-counter supplements and herbs. The easiest way is to More…

Top Ten Recommendation for Caregivers of Those With Dementia

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME! WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story! I am sometimes asked what degrees I have in healthcare, since I speak at conferences to healthcare professionals about dementia. I always say seriously, "Well, I have an advanced degree that was so hard to complete and took five full years to get -- a D.Le." After the blank stare, I giggle and say, "I like to say I have a: Doctorate of Life Experience!" After the nodding laughter, I frequently hear, "Oh yeah, I'm starting to work on that one myself! After twenty-five years in healthcare, I thought I understood how difficult it is to care for someone with dementia, but now that my own parents are showing signs -- I really get it!" I have noticed that more and more healthcare professionals are also becoming caregivers for their own aging loved ones--and struggling just like everyone else. I even had a Geriatrician (an MD with specialty in Geriatrics) with twenty years of experience say as she was buying my book, "I've written four books, but my own mother won't read them or listen to anything I say. I'm hoping she'll read your book and finally realize she's starting to get dementia--I don't know what to do!" More…

Do You Acknowledge the Anniversary of the Passing of a Friend's Loved One?

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME!WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story! I often wondered if it was the right thing to do to send emails to friends who had lost loved ones on the anniversary of deaths, just saying I was thinking about them and their loved one extra special that day. I hesitated and struggled with it each time, worrying if I was stirring up sad emotions and certainly not wanting to do that. I wondered if most people prefer to forget the date of the passing of their loved one and do not want to be reminded of that pain, or did they feel people had forgotten them and had to suffer alone in their grief that day. More…

Letting Go: When a Loved One is Ready To Pass On

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME! WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story! A dear friend of mine, Katie, has been struggling with the care of her 90 year-old mother, Faye, for a decade (Alzheimer's), managing so many stints in the hospital from falls, infections, and numerous medical problems. Every time I have spoken to Faye, she tells us how tired of it all she is and how much she prays to go to sleep and pass on to be with her husband who died thirty years ago. A while back, I suggested Katie talk to her mother and get a DNR "Do Not Resuscitate" order in place, so extraordinary measures would not be taken to prolong her life. But now that Faye is really dying, Katie is having the hardest time and doesn't want to let her go. Instead of not interfering with the dying process, everything is being done to save Faye's life. I understand how difficult it is, because I went through the same thing with my own mother -- just eight months after my father's passing. More…

How to Find and Check Out Nursing Homes

Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME! WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story! I have been helping several friends who have suddenly found themselves in caregiving crisis mode--each with an elderly parent who has had to be placed in a nursing home after a stint in the hospital. Several are there because of terrible falls and broken bones (one straight down a whole flight of stairs head first), one with a stroke, and several in the final stage of Alzheimer's. My friends have struggled to find the right nursing homes and I have done my best to direct them to resources that help find and also check places out. I compiled this list to help, which they say has been very useful--so I want to share it with you. More…