Canadian-born Mary Beth Wighton, has been living with frontotemporal lobe dementia since 2012 when she was diagnosed at age 45. Two years later, she co-founded the Ontario Dementia Advisory Group (ODAG) with the mission of influencing governmental policies affecting the rights of people with dementia. “Since the formation of ODAG,” Mary Beth says, “members have [...]
Clinical Trials at Your Fingertips Clinical trials offer patients and caregivers the opportunity to be involved in their family’s medical care. Their participation in dementia research will help shape the future of medicine. Unfortunately, most people don’t know about clinical trials. For those that do, it’s difficult to find ones for which they qualify. Studies [...]
Caregivers like Joey Daley, father of three, take the initiative to follow the first tip of caregiving: Learn as much as you can about your loved one’s disease or illness to know what to expect. If that’s not enough, Joey took an even bigger step. He’s helping raise awareness of dementia and his mother’s Lewy [...]
Karen Miller’s mother suffered a massive stroke at age fifty. “My mother’s stroke caused paralysis on her right side and took away her ability to speak. Also, she didn’t recognize her reflection in the mirror,” said Karen during a recent interview. “Mom became emotional and seemed to lose her ability to reason. It wasn’t until [...]
Nearly 20 years ago, I delivered a speech in honor of a former caregiver for her husband with Parkinson’s. I titled it, It’s NOT the Thought That Counts . Rodin The Thinker Photo by Crystal Borde The speech was inspired by regret. In 1994, while on a tight schedule in Milwaukee, I decided not to [...]
If we’re to survive, we caregivers must find something to laugh about. We’ll thrive and find joy each day, when we tap our well of caregiver humor. There’s much to laugh about in simple everyday interactions if we stop being so serious about ourselves. I used to visit, José, my caregiver friend Lisa’s husband. He [...]
At Death’s Door brings to life the end of life. Many of us remain unaware of the important issues families face near the end of life. What does a DNR/DNI entail? What are the leading conditions that lead to irreversible decline? Who has the legal right to make decisions regarding our healthcare? What options does [...]
Lyn Purser was born 46 years ago with intellectual disabilities. Born four months premature, she was placed on antibiotics shortly after birth. Five months later, she and her older brother left Italy for America with their parents. At age 14, she experienced a period of seizures that were inadequately controlled with medication. As a result, [...]
Healthcare Lessons from Both Sides of the World While we address healthcare coverage here in the US, there are a few lessons we can learn from two families – one along the eastern side of the U.S. and the other in the southern hemisphere in Sydney Australia. Rebecca and Scott Doig on their wedding day. [...]
The Alzheimer’s Association offers tips to help families reduce tensions and stress. Guest article by Monica Moreno Monica Moreno, Senior Director Care and Support at the Alzheimer's Association Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is never easy. It is life-changing for the person receiving the diagnosis and for family members. The disease may take a devastating toll [...]
