Sexual Behaviors in a Person Living With Dementia: It’s Not Always About Sex
Sexual Behaviors in a Person Living With Dementia: It’s Not Always About Sex Understanding what may be behind the behavior—and how to respond with compassion and clear boundaries. “He never would have said that before.” “Why is she taking her clothes off?” “What am I supposed to do when he reaches for me?” Some changes […]
Holiday Outings and Dementia: How to Plan with Less Stress
Practical ways to adapt family traditions, prepare for gatherings, and make room for a different kind of celebration. As the holidays approach, you may find yourself wanting to keep familiar traditions alive. The family dinner. The church service. The trip to see the lights. When someone you love has dementia, those outings may take more […]
Loneliness and Brain Health: Why Connection Matters
How loneliness affects brain health—and small ways caregivers and loved ones can stay connected. You can spend an entire day caring for someone you love and still feel deeply lonely. Perhaps friends have stopped calling. Getting out of the house takes more planning than you have energy for. Or the person who once listened to […]
When You’re Never Off Duty: Practical Ways to Get a Caregiver Break
When You’re Never Off Duty: Practical Ways to Get a Caregiver Break You finally sit down, but you’re still listening. Was that the door? Is Mom getting up? Does Dad need help in the bathroom? For someone caring for a loved one with dementia, being home can mean being constantly available. Even when another person […]
When Helping Becomes Taking Over: Supporting Independence in Dementia Care
When Helping Becomes Taking Over: Supporting Independence in Dementia Care When someone you love has dementia, helping often becomes second nature. You answer a question when they hesitate. You finish a task when they struggle. You step in because you care and because watching something become difficult can be painful. But sometimes, in our desire […]
Is It Dementia—or Something Else? 7 Changes You Shouldn’t Ignore
Is It Dementia—or Something Else? 7 Changes You Shouldn’t Ignore Forgetting a name. Misplacing your keys. Walking into a room and wondering why you went there. We all have moments like these. But when do changes in memory or thinking become something worth discussing with a healthcare provider? The key isn’t one isolated incident. Look […]
When Dementia Caregiving Feels Like Too Much: 7 Things You Can Stop Doing
When Dementia Caregiving Feels Like Too Much: 7 Things You Can Stop Doing Dementia caregivers hear a lot about what they should be doing. Sometimes, though, caregiving becomes a little more manageable when we stop doing things that aren’t helping. Here are seven things you can give yourself permission to stop doing. 1. Stop Correcting […]
When Being Right Isn’t the Most Important Thing
“Apologizing does not always mean you’re wrong and the other person is right. It just means you value your relationship more than your ego.” — Mark Matthews When I first read this quote, I immediately thought about dementia caregiving. One of the hardest lessons for caregivers is realizing that preserving the relationship is often more […]
Days 60–90 After a Dementia Diagnosis
Part 3: Days 60–90 After a Dementia Diagnosis How to live well—starting now By the 90-day mark, something begins to shift. The urgency of the diagnosis may ease, and you start finding your footing in a new normal. This phase is about moving from reacting to living. Focus on creating daily rhythms instead of rigid routines. Consistency […]
Days 30–60 After a Dementia Diagnosis
Part 2: Days 30–60 After a Dementia Diagnosis The decisions that protect your future By this stage, the initial shock has likely softened, and reality is starting to settle in. This period is about making thoughtful decisions now that will reduce stress later. Start with the conversations many families avoid. While your loved one can still […]