Author Archives: Elaine M. Eshbaugh, PhD

I’ve been thinking a lot about caregivers lately. Caregivers who live at home with their loved ones and are overwhelmed due to social distancing guidelines. Caregivers that cannot visit their loved ones who reside in a nursing home or assisted living due to COVID-19. Being a caregiver isn’t easy in the best of times. It’sContinue reading “Difficult and Beautiful Caregiving”

For those of you who checked up on me these last few weeks, thank you. It’s crazy (and kinda flattering) that you missed me. I’ve been supporting someone who is going through the toughest time of her life–and a tougher time than anyone should ever have to go through, really. And that is more importantContinue reading “I’m Back…and Maybe Just a Little Bit Angry”

There will be no blog post today due to the Easter holiday. No matter what your journey looks like right now, I’m rooting for you and sending you all the positive energy I’ve got as you face life’s challenges (COVID-19 related or not). You are stronger than you think. Hang in there.

There’s been a lot of discussion about residents living in nursing homes and how they are impacted by COVID-19. Today I want to go in a different direction… Let’s talk about in-home care partners with loved ones who have dementia. Maybe your mom has dementia and was living alone…but you invited her to stay withContinue reading “Caregiving and COVID-19”

In the midst of this pandemic, I feel inadequate. I have nothing to offer you. Except my apologies. If you have COVID-19, I am so sorry. If you suspect your have COVID-19 but can’t get a test, I am so sorry. If you love someone who has COVID-19, I am so sorry. If one ofContinue reading “COVID-19 and….I don’t even know where I’m going with this”

Today’s special guest blogger has more expertise on the subject than I do–he is living with dementia. Emphasis on “living.” Thanks, Roger, for sharing this and for reminding us of the potential that people living with dementia have to continue living meaningful lives and making a difference. —Elaine     Coronavirus and Dementia How IContinue reading “Special Guest Blog: COVID-19 and Dementia”

Exciting news! Yesterday we launched the Northern Iowa Gerontology Nursing Home Art Box Project to send art supplies to nursing home residents who are isolated due to COVID-19. I have some funding to buy supplies due to a generous gift from the Adele Whitenack Davis family. However, some people have asked how to contribute. AndContinue reading “The Northern Iowa Gerontology Nursing Home Art Box Project!”

Does anyone else wake up every morning and think they’ve had a nightmare based on some odd sci fi movie they once saw…and then realize it’s real? I don’t know where to begin. First of all, I’m not in nursing homes, memory care centers, or adult day centers lately. I’m a gerontologist who is avoidingContinue reading “Nursing Homes and the Coronavirus”

This is the fifth of a series of five posts about the senses and dementia. Today we focus on touch. The issue of touch, or tactile stimulation, for those with dementia is complex. An entire book could be written on the topic, and I will be clear that this post is not a complete summaryContinue reading “This Ain’t Just About Memory: Dementia and the Senses (Part 5: Touch)”

This is the fourth in a series of post about dementia and the senses. Some of the following content is adapted from a 2016 blog post that I wrote. Today we address taste. We use our taste buds to taste four flavors: salty, sweet, bitter, and sour. (There is some controversy about whether there isContinue reading “This Ain’t Just About Memory Loss: Dementia and Senses (Part 4: Taste)”