Communication is one of the hallmarks of the human species. While other animals and plants have ways to signal each other, our ability to have conversations is uniquely human. Children are born with the innate ability to learn one or more languages that they hear around them, simply by listening. Unfortunately, in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease this precious gift begins to erode, making conversation more difficult.

When Gershwin wrote “summertime and the livin’ is easy,” he certainly captured the allure of the season, but I doubt he ever lived in Florida in June, July or August! For you and your loved one, these coming summer months of heat, humidity -- and hurricanes! -- present potential risks. But as your mother always said, “An ounce of prevention….”

Being a caregiver to a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease can sometimes be overwhelming. There are medical concerns, emotional upheavals, financial worries, and anxiety about what the future will bring. There is something that can make your burden a little lighter: As counter-intuitive as it may seem, we can all benefit from feeling grateful.

Putting things in perspective is one of the great Caregiver superpowers. Your loved one’s health, your family, your job, your own emotions, can all be overwhelming at times. It is during these times that we all need to practice putting things into perspective. Here are some great ways to develop that skill.

Cinco de Mayo is observed far more in America than in the country in which it originated. This is why the holiday is uniquely American, because it reflects the joy of people all over the U.S. in celebrating our country’s remarkable array of cultures. Here are some tips to help you and your loved one explore the benefits of our great national cultural diversity.

Sometimes it’s hard to ask a question. Perhaps we’re concerned about appearing to be uninformed, or we don’t want to have to bother someone, or maybe we don’t know who to go to in order to ask the question. And sometimes there are questions we don’t even know that we need to ask! Yet the quest for answers is part of every caregiver's experience. In the Zen Buddhist tradition, there is a concept of "beginner's mind." Having a “beginner’s mind” means being open to new ideas, an eagerness to learn, and not having any preconceptions about your topic. Here are some of the questions that have arisen among our caregiving community: 

More than a half century ago, astronauts aboard the Apollo spacecraft took the first color photograph of the earth as it rose over the surface of the moon. Described as “the most influential environmental photograph ever taken,” the image showed the brilliant blue marble of our home against the stark gray and black of the moon and space, driving home the point that we are all “space travelers” aboard our precious planet. As we celebrate Earth Day on this Friday, April 22nd, it is important to keep in mind that each of us plays a crucial role in keeping our home, inside and outside, safe, sustainable, and as full of joy as we can manage. Here are some tips on how to get the best out of your “home planet:”

With the warmer weather and sunnier skies of April, much of the nation’s attention is turning green with thoughts of gardening. With the threat of freezing weather now gone, people everywhere are tilling their soil and planting seeds with hopes of a bountiful harvest.

As Family Caregivers we too can learn the value of planting seeds for future growth. The seeds you plant today with your loved one will no doubt bear fruit down the road. Here are a few tips on how to prepare the way for your caregiving journey.

As a Caregiver, your innate skills of compassion and caring are put to the test every day. But it’s important to remember that, with practice, you can train your body and mind to be more resilient and have a greater impact on your loved one’s overall condition. Remember too that you have your own “coach” — your NAN Navigator — who is your dedicated partner in this journey. Here are some tips for helping to make every day a winner.

It seems that we’re in times of tremendous change all around us. But it’s important to remember that there is reason for tremendous hope, too, as you navigate this changing landscape — and that NAN is your dedicated partner in this journey. Your NAN Navigator will help you assess your situation, give you practical advice for improving what you can, and connect you with the resources and expertise that can help you succeed. To help with that process, here are some tips for dealing with these times of great change.

Happy Spring! The new season’s beginning is marked by an astronomical event known as the Vernal Equinox, which took place last Sunday. The Equinox occurs at the point in the earth’s orbit around the Sun where there is 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of darkness — a perfect balance between night and day.

The coming of the new season is an important reminder that as a caregiver, you need to strive to find that same “perfect balance” in your life.

The Winter Olympic games are underway, giving us a reminder of the amazing potential of the human body and mind. It’s an inspiration to us all to see our species at its athletic best!

While watching the Olympics might give you a welcome diversion from you and your loved one’s daily routine, I’m also hoping that the pageantry and events will give you both inspiration to become “Olympians” in your own lives. Here are some recommendations:

I hope your new year is off to a great start. Humanity’s year is off to a great start too this year as the amazing new James Webb telescope, which launched into space on Christmas day, arrives at its final destination in orbit around the sun this week. With viewing capabilities 100 times more powerful than its predecessor, the Hubble telescope, the James Webb telescope is bound to give the human race a new perspective on the universe — and our place in it.

And that is our goal at NAN for Caregivers, too: We want to give you the tools and information you need to bring a wholly new perspective to your caregiving universe — to your loved one, your family and to yourself!

The approaching holiday season typically brings much comfort, joy, and family togetherness to people everywhere. But for your loved one, the holidays can also create challenges in terms of maintaining physical and emotional health.

As a caregiver, here's how you can help your loved one make the most out of the holiday season: