Minding Our Elders

Over-the-Counter Drugs Could Be Causing Symptoms

2008-08-21T05:01:00Z

What the systems don't catch, however, are all the over-the-counter medications we take. As our emails flew back and forth, I was able to gather from the concerned daughter that her mother was good about getting her prescriptions at one drugstore, but she still had a feeling that something was amiss. She felt her mother was too groggy in the morning for someone who'd had a good night's sleep...(read more)

Taking Alzheimer’s Drugs is Showing Promise of a Longer Life

2008-08-19T06:36:00Z

While it's well known that the drugs available now for people with Alzheimer's disease, namely donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), galantamine (Razadyne), and memantine (Namenda), don't cure the disease, they do help slow the decline...(read more)

Elders and Sex: Who Gets to Decide What is Proper?

2008-08-17T05:01:00Z

Then they giggle and – kiss. Yikes! Aren’t they kind of old for that? Our society has marginalized people over fifty when it comes to love and sex....(read more)

Inside Assisted Living Seeks Survey Participants

2008-08-16T05:01:00Z

A blog titled "Inside Assisted Living" is looking for participants for a survey. If you have an interest in assisted living, please take a few minutes......(read more)

Baby Talk and “Elderspeak” Disturbingly Related

2008-08-15T06:43:00Z

She's just being nice and thinks I'm "sweet." But would she call a twenty-something woman "Hon?" I doubt it....(read more)

Here’s How You Can Get Solid Long-Term Care Insurance Information

2008-08-13T06:29:00Z

The Department of Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid has come forth with a new kit called "Own Your Future: Planning for long-term care." I received my pamphlet because the state where I live is one that has hopped on board and is including a state-specific insert....(read more)

A Rollercoaster Ride of Studies Providing Hope

2008-08-11T08:32:00Z

Be aware that this is a journal for scientists and the article is written as such, so how much you get out of the article itself will depend on how much you've already learned about the physical intricacies of the disease....(read more)

Minding Our Elders Makes NYTimes.com Online Resource List

2008-08-09T06:30:00Z

I'm please and honored that veteran health reporter Jane Gross listed Minding Our Elders under resources for caregivers...(read more)

Another Early-Warning Test for Alzheimer’s is on the Horizon

2008-08-07T08:22:00Z

People could make lifestyle changes if their physicians think the changes are indicated, and some may even try to participate in drug trials with the hope that they can beat the odds. I like to think that some families may even find themselves pulling closer, knowing that there is a big chance they will face the challenges of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, together, in the future....(read more)

Blogging From Inside Alzheimer's Disease

2008-08-05T08:32:00Z

I reviewed Richard Taylor's informational and inspiring book Alzhiemer's From the Inside Out for my twice weekly posts on ouralzheimers.com...(read more)

A Spiritual Take on Caregiving

2008-08-03T08:13:00Z

A caregiver's blog that I recommend to caregiver's seeking additional spiritual perspective can be found at Caregiversvoices.The group is closely monitored, but all caregivers are welcome to check it out. If you'd like to join, email...(read more)

Can We Rate Nursing Homes Like Restaurants?

2008-08-01T08:45:00Z

States and counties already have rating systems for a wide variety of inspections which are done on a regular basis, at least in my area. The results of these inspections are available to the public, so, out of curiosity, I've looked up, on the Web, the ratings of homes I know well. Often, I've been shocked to find that they have "deficiencies."...(read more)

Only Children Vs. Sharing Decisions With Siblings – Which is Easier?

2008-07-30T08:35:00Z

So, often, I get emails asking about how to handle sibling issues. They end with something like, "It must be nice to be an only child. I do the work alone, but I have to fight to make decisions. Only children don't have that problem."...(read more)

Dementia Care Download - Part II

2008-07-28T11:46:47Z

I've been alerted to the fack that some can't download the PDF that I posted from the Michigan Dementia Coalition titled, "Knowledge and Skills Needed for Dementia Care" - (thanks Michelle, for letting me know)....(read more)

The Glass Seed: A Daughter’s Quest to Understand Her Mother’s Dementia

2008-07-28T08:38:00Z

The Glass Seed: The Fragile Beauty of Heart, Mind & Memory, by Eileen Delehanty Pearkes, is a personal account of one woman's journey as she learns to cope with, and understand, her life within the context of history, family and her mother's dementia....(read more)