When Dementia Knocks

“Can I ask an unrelated question?” I often get this question as an appointment with a college student is wrapping up. It is one of my favorite questions. It’s like that Forrest Gump box of chocolates deal. You never know what you’re going to get. Sometimes students want to know where I get my hair […]

Hi friends, I wanted to let you know I’ll be taking my summer break from blogging for the next month or so. In August I’ll be doing a few Zoom presentations, so be looking for some info on that. If you need me, I’ll be teaching summer online courses, prepping for fall classes (whatever that […]

When I was in my 20’s, I spent a lot of time volunteering for hospice. One of my first hospice patients was a woman in her 60’s who had dementia. Her son lived with her, but he needed a weekly respite. I was told she was active and liked to go for walks. In fact, […]

Hi friends! I want you to know that I appreciate you. Whether you found me recently on social media or starting following me when I started writing this blog in January of 2015 (oh, wow, back when I was in my 30s!), I am flattered that you tune in every Monday morning to see what […]

Our dog, Karl, died a few years ago. His mind was willing, but his back legs and hips had enough. He lived to the ripe old age of 14…which is a ridiculously long time for an English mastiff to live. We adopted him when he was 6. I don’t know what his life looked like […]

Once an older guy told me, “My wife has Alzheimer’s and doesn’t know who I am, but I still love her.” It struck me that he used the word but to connect those two statements–as if it were surprising that he still loved his wife. I didn’t find it surprising, of course. We don’t stop […]

So what’s your personal 2020 theme? (Can you answer this question without using a four-letter word that would’ve gotten you in trouble at recess?) You’ve got your personal and family challenges, which likely include dementia since you are reading my blog. You’ve got whatever chaos is happening in your community. Maybe people are arguing about […]

I was speaking to someone last week when we hit on a subject close to my heart…nursing homes in the midst of COVID-19. Nursing homes have been hit hard, and it’s not close to over. Limitations on visitors, group meals, and activities will continue for some time in many places. Over the last decade, a […]

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’s […]

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 important […]