Early-Stage Caregiving
Caregiver Tips: How To Begin Dementia Caregiving As A Young Caregiver Under 40
When a loved one is diagnosed with a form of Dementia, the most popular form being Alzheimer’s, multiple shifts occur. A role reversal where a child now becomes the parent to their parent, a family dynamic shift of those wanting to help and those that dont want to...
The Humor of Alzheimer’s: Silly Superhero Mom
Okay, role reversers, this is a good one. Another Alzheimer's humor story staring my mother. The beautiful, wonderful, and amazing woman was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about three years ago. Once again, my mom has shown that in the painstaking and heartbreaking signs...
Tile® and Alzheimer’s – A Great Solution
Hey caregivers! I want to share a product that I have been using with my mom for a couple of years. My mom might hold the record for misplaced items - read my Alzheimer's Humor: Lost Phone post for just a glimpse of how great she is at misplacing things. My mom was...
How To Use Distractions As An Alzheimer’s Caregiver
So if you have read my previous posts, I know what you are probably thinking, "Kristin, you said to remove distractions, not add them." You are correct; when having a conversation with an Alzheimer's loved one, I find it best to remove distractions. That said,...
The Humor of Alzheimer’s: Extra Cookies
My first experience having a role reversal and really immersing into young caregiving was a few years ago. This was the first time I felt like a parent to my mother; it was a little trippy. I realized that as this disease progressed, I would be the one to set...
Top 5 Popular Activities from An Activity Director
Hi Role Reversers! I wanted to focus this post on activities. Not the daily living kind--the fun kind! When I was an activity director (mentioned in my about me page) for a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF or nursing home), activities were the time fillers. It was a...
Caregiving At 30 Was Not Part Of The Plan
Hey caregivers, hope you are hanging in there. I am writing this post two days before turning 30. Looking forward to what my future may hold, I can't help but feel a sense of loss realizing what my mom and I will miss because of Alzheimer's. Sure, I expected some ups...
Middle-Stage Caregiving
Caregiving For Unexpected Dementia Behaviors
Good Morning Everyone - or maybe afternoon, depending on when you are reading this ;). Jumping right into my topic today, I wanted to let you know that last week's caregiving journey was rough. There were a lot of emotions and a lot of unexpected dementia behaviors....
How To Respond To Alzheimer’s Surprises
Alzheimer's is unpredictable and surprising, as all caregivers know. The changes in behaviors can catch us by surprise. It never fails when I think I have a handle on things, Alzheimer's will surprise me by how something that used to be simple now has to be...
Caregiver Fatigue: The Day I Lost My Patience
I'm sure during your caregiving journey, you have heard about "caregiver fatigue." Well, a few months ago, my caregiver fatigue hit hard. The impact of multiple culminating events lead to my worst young caregiver day, and I completely lost my patience. The calm...
Making Sense out of Nonsense
Being a young caregiver for Alzheimer's and dementia is challenging - as you already know. It feels like a bad book that I can't put down, and I am forced to read, partake, to envelop myself. Over the past month or so, my mom has progressed with Alzheimer's, losing...
The Humor of Alzheimer’s: Lost Phone
Hi caregivers! This is my first post about the humor you can find in Alzheimer's. There are many Alzheimer's moments that are sad and heartbreaking. But every once in awhile caregivers and Alzheimer's loved ones get the chance to share humor as part of this disease. I...
Top 5 Popular Activities from An Activity Director
Hi Role Reversers! I wanted to focus this post on activities. Not the daily living kind--the fun kind! When I was an activity director (mentioned in my about me page) for a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF or nursing home), activities were the time fillers. It was a...
Caregiver Self-Care
Caregiving For Unexpected Dementia Behaviors
Good Morning Everyone - or maybe afternoon, depending on when you are reading this ;). Jumping right into my topic today, I wanted to let you know that last week's caregiving journey was rough. There were a lot of emotions and a lot of unexpected dementia behaviors....
How to Practice Fast Gratitude
I wanted to share with all of you how I learned to practice fast gratitude. Some of you may be like me and have heard that practicing gratitude can be a game-changer for happiness and creating a positive attitude in your everyday life. Hearing about all the positives...
How I Found The Caregiver Support, I Needed
Disclaimer: I am not associated with Hilarity for Charity. They have just helped me with my caregiving journey, so I wanted to share the resource with other caregivers. I am not receiving compensation for this post. When I started my Alzheimer's caregiving journey,...
How to Create a Caregiver Affirmation & Why You Should Have One.
As a young caregiver, I originally often struggled mentally with the various challenges I faced. I often dug myself deeper and deeper into a hole of sadness when I made mistakes while taking care of my mom. If you are an overthinker and perfectionist like me, you...