From the desk of Rosemary Laird, MD
Founder of Navigating Aging Needs (NAN), LLC
It's About Time!
Even though we’re in the middle of summer, this week and the week ahead will mark several of the shortest days in recorded history: On July 22nd and August 3rd, the earth will spin 1.34 milliseconds faster than the usual 24-hour day.
The shorter days are caused by several somewhat mysterious geological forces, but scientists say it is nothing to worry about. Still, for caregivers of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, it might seem that the universe is adding one more time crunch to their already busy lives!
Staying With It!
Caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s are not playing a game, of course, but this lesson from the court is very apt: Each day you are going to have some wins, and you are going to have some losses. And your success will be measured by how well you can stay with it and continue your very strenuous, sometimes very frustrating, but in the end very rewarding journey of caregiving.
Alzheimer's and Motherhood
Aside from the enormous impact on mental and physical health that a caregiver experiences as a result of the stress of their day-to-day duties, there is also often a profound impact on the overall relationship between mother and her caregiver as the disease progresses. After all, each person has spent years in certain well-defined roles, and then in a short time many of the dynamics of the relationship may undergo dramatic changes.
Facing the Winds of Change
For caregivers of a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, change is even more of a constant companion. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that currently has no cure, and so the only thing that is certain is that the future will not be like the present.
Celebrating You!
November is the month that, for nearly three decades, we have celebrated the nation’s family caregivers — that’s you! Here are some tips for how to embrace your role as a caregiver.