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forgive & forget
Caregiving ~ Alzheimer's ~ Dementia ~ Life
Journal
BLOG topics are taken from my journal, and conclude with a lesson learned in "What Is True For Me."
I hope you find my experiences helpful.
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- 6 min
"How Do I Die?" Mom asked
Dear FF Reader: This blog came as a surprise. It holds sacred memories of the death of my grandmother and dad. It reveals personal...
- 3 min
The Accusation of Sexual Assault
“May I ask you a personal question, Vic?” said a staff member who knows Mom well. “Fire away,” I answered. “Was your Mom ever sexually...
- 3 min
My Wheels Went Flat
Mom’s dementia took a drastic decline a few days ago. For the first time ever since her diagnosis, her confusion and angry outbursts have...
- 4 min
Dementia in Dogs
In the past 20 years, I have had 8 pups. 3 of them died with a diagnosis of dementia. I did not know until recently that this was a...
- 4 min
Practical and Metaphorical
This is one of the best definitions and analogies of dementia I have ever heard. It is written by Dr. Steven Rubin, M.D. “ “Dementia”...
- 4 min
Now, I Guess We're Here
The following is a dialogue that I had with Mom recently. It was totally unexpected as most things are with this disease; however, I feel...
- 5 min
Outside Looking In, Part 3, Finale
I am very very proud of you for continuing to read all of Outside Looking In! Boy did I appreciate everyone's constructive feedback for...
- 4 min
False Memories and Compassionate Misinformation
After yesterday’s writing about Mom remembering the feeling of something either traumatic or joyfully heart-felt, I’d be remiss if I...
- 3 min
Another Dip Without Sprinkles
Two days ago I received a phone call from The Seasons where Mom lives, telling me Mom had taken “a turn,” a red flag that something was...
- 1 min
Maria Shriver Highlights Alzheimer's
Maria Shriver, whom I have respected and admired for many many years, highlighted Alzheimer's on the Today Show. If you missed it, please...
- 4 min
When Less is More
It is still astonishing to me that even as much as Mom has declined of late, she still remembers, and asks about, the cabin and when we...
- 5 min
Nothing Lasts Forever
-This is a blog I wrote over a year ago. I am re-posting it today by request... Later this morning I am taking Mom up to the cabin. It...
- 4 min
Breaking a Routine
Boundaries will keep your cheese from sliding off your cracker. I was reminded how hard it was for Mom and I to break our familiar...
- 3 min
The Aggressive & Violent Symptoms of Dementia
Yesterday’s blog attempted to unravel the wisdom of the caregiver’s quote, “The worse it gets, the easier it gets.” However, for many...
- 2 min
Is this phrase an oxymoron?
"The worse it gets, the easier it gets," is a caregiver's phrase I heard about six years ago. At the time, I could not wrap my head...
- 2 min
Hats Off, Brava
Many of us face hostility and outright opposition from our loved one when we ask them to shower, or dress, or even eat a meal. It’s a...
- 2 min
Does Confusion Get Worse When They are Sick?
A 2011 entry in my journal described a frustrating, confusing couple of hours. I had Alzheimer’s Support group in the morning, then...
- 3 min
A Quick Cognitive Test
Running across this blog and the cognitive test could be your next step. The second message is learn tunnel vision, simply do what is in...
- 3 min
Easy to Get Faked Out
Yesterday, I received a call from Brookdale Senior Living saying that they were running low on Ducolax, a medication that Mom takes. I...
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