Let's Talk Dementia

Most all of us enjoy a hot pizza, and maybe that would make a great gift for the caregiver in your world.  Dementia caregiving is hard work.  Our caregivers are overworked and under appreciated.  The delivery of a pizza can bring a splash of joy and tasty happiness into the world of that caregiver.  Such happiness at a low cost.  Something to think about!

What is GRACE?  A recent sermon stated, "Grace equals loving kindness".  That immediately made me think of the hundreds of thousands of caregivers who are offering loving kindness to those they care for each day.  It is a way of showing God's grace!  I hope you recognize how important you are to your people, and you also recognize that God is please with the way you care for HIS children.

Caregivers provide over 37 BILLION hours of unpaid care year. Congress has recently passed the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage) Family Caregivers Act. At "Let's Talk Dementia" we are excited for anything that makes the caregiving journey easier. Our hats are off to all our caregivers!

Most all of us enjoy a hot pizza, and maybe that would make a great gift for the caregiver in your world.  Dementia caregiving is hard work.  Our caregivers are overworked and under appreciated.  The delivery of a pizza can bring a splash of joy and tasty happiness into the world of that caregiver.  Such happiness at a low cost.  Something to think about!

Does Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder result in dementia?  YES!  My brother-in-law, Ernie, has PTSD from his service to our country.  Life is difficult and sad for him.  He finds very little pleasure in anything.  His dementia is different from that of my mother who has Alzheimer's type dementia, but it is still "dementia".

 

I NEVER want to get up early, but dementia is changing that.  I love spending time with Momma when she has the greatest potential of being cognitive.  She is never totally "here" or in my world, but the mornings lend themselves towards a better outcome than any other time of day.  So I GET UP and go see her.  Maximizing the quality of time together is very important in our caregiving journey.

 

A recent study showed a class of drugs known as anticholinergics block the binding of the neurotransmitter acetycholine.  Wikipedia says, "Alzheimer's disease involves a substantial loss of the elements of the cholinergic system, and it is generally accepted that the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are related to this cholonergic deficit, particularly in the cerebral cortex and other areas of the brain."  I TRY to break this down in language that I hope is helpful.  One thing we know - be careful of the medications you take.

 

I NEVER want to get up early, but dementia is changing that.  I love spending time with Momma when she has the greatest potential of being cognitive.  She is never totally "here" or in my world, but the mornings lend themselves towards a better outcome than any other time of day.  So I GET UP and go see her.  Maximizing the quality of time together is very important in our caregiving journey.

 

A recent study showed a class of drugs known as anticholinergics block the binding of the neurotransmitter acetycholine.  Wikipedia says, "Alzheimer's disease involves a substantial loss of the elements of the cholinergic system, and it is generally accepted that the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are related to this cholonergic deficit, particularly in the cerebral cortex and other areas of the brain."  I TRY to break this down in language that I hope is helpful.  One thing we know - be careful of the medications you take.

A listener wrote in with a question regarding making her home safe for her mother with dementia.  You folks know I love to give advice, and I hope you will tune in to hear what I thought about "Dementia Proofing Your Home".  It is an important aspect of good caregiving when our loved ones are in our home.