Minding Our Elders

Don't Blame Everything on Dementia

Minding Our Elders® — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:01:00 GMT

It was evening and I was getting ready to go to bed. At night, I use 75 units of long acting insulin which helps to hold my blood sugar level for 24 hours. Instead, I took 75 units of Humalog, the fast acting insulin I normally take with meals....(read more)

More Encouraging Research on Fish and Healthy Brains

Minding Our Elders® — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:01:00 GMT

... three or more servings per week of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids are less likely to suffer from what is termed "silent" brain lesions that can lead to a decline in brain function and raise the risk of a vascular stroke....(read more)

Night Care Services a Great Idea

Minding Our Elders® — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:01:00 GMT

How many of you, who have a person with Alzheimer's by your side, are getting a good night's sleep? Does a night here and there knowing your loved one is cared for, while you sleep, sound good?...(read more)

How to Die Organized: Ten Tips

Minding Our Elders® — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 05:01:00 GMT

The authors of a neat little organizer titled, "Putting Things in Order: A Journal to Organize Your Life for the Next Generation," sent me their top ten list of things to do so you can be organized with the paperwork you want your heirs to have. Before I tell you about their book, here's the list as written by authors Ellen Baumritter and David Finkle:...(read more)

Over-the-Counter Drugs Could Be Causing Symptoms

Minding Our Elders® — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:01:00 GMT

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

Minding Our Elders® — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:36:00 GMT

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?

Minding Our Elders® — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:01:00 GMT

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

Minding Our Elders® — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:01:00 GMT

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

Minding Our Elders® — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:43:00 GMT

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

Minding Our Elders® — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 06:29:00 GMT

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

Minding Our Elders® — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:32:00 GMT

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

Minding Our Elders® — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 06:30:00 GMT

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

Minding Our Elders® — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:22:00 GMT

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

Minding Our Elders® — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:32:00 GMT

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

Minding Our Elders® — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 08:13:00 GMT

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)