Halloween decorations can make a home feel festive, but caregivers may need to make adjustments to help a loved one living with dementia feel comfortable.
What helps one person continue to think, create, and engage with the world despite the progression of Alzheimer’s disease? For journalist and author Greg O’Brien, part of the answer may lie in a lifetime of building cognitive reserve.
Caregiving often means putting someone else’s needs first. You may be coordinating appointments, preparing meals, managing medications, or simply making sure a loved one is doing well.
Greg O’Brien has a unique perspective on what it takes to be a caregiver.
In fact, his point of view on caregiving is unlike anyone else’s, particularly when it comes to caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s Disease.
O’Brien’s caregiving story began over twenty years ago in Cape Cod, where his parents had moved from Long Island following his dad’s retirement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFyppk_fSF0
Caring for a loved one with dementia is a journey filled with emotional and practical challenges. As the disease progresses, there may come a time when transitioning to higher levels of care, such as memory care or a skilled nursing facility, becomes necessary.
Summer provides opportunities for outdoor activities, family gatherings, and meaningful moments together. However, warmer temperatures can create additional challenges for older adults, especially those living with dementia.
The inherent nature of men to keep challenges private (one-third of male caregivers do not tell their employers they are caregiving) and to resist reliance on friends and family for support (38% versus 47% in females), makes them more at risk for suffering in silence.
