The Beach Awaits and it is important that you get there. Or the mountains are calling and need you to see them or the car ride listening to your favorite music is waiting for you or any other place that is your happy place, it is important that you get there. When you...
So you may have heard about an advocacy program for residents of nursing and rest homes called The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. “Ombudsman” is a medieval Scandinavian term meaning “representative of the people.” But what does this actually look like in the Long...
So you may have heard about a new training being offered in Massachusetts called The Savvy Caregiver. The Healthy Living Center of Excellence located at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley is facilitating and coordinating all of the Savvy Caregiver Trainings along...
Many times caregivers are told by a primary care doctor that the loved one they care for has dementia and it is not Alzheimer’s. Dementia as a diagnosis is really not a complete diagnosis. Additionally many PCP’s are often still reluctant to refer a person who has...
Caregiving can be stressful when you live close by or with a loved one but trying to care from a distance can not only make it more stressful in some ways but also more complicated and confusing. Whether you live 30 minutes away, in another state, across the country...
Is There Help for Grandparents Raising their Grandchildren in Massachusetts? More often, grandparents are finding themselves in a position of taking on responsibility for their grandchildren. There are many different situations that leave parents unable to provide...
My dad was a musician before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. How can I incorporate his love of music into a plan for his care going forward? Music has proved to be very therapeutic, especially for those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a...
I recently heard about a caregiver support group that meets at my local hospital. What can I expect if I choose to attend and what are some of the benefits? It can feel intimidating if you’ve never attended a support group before but here are some things you should...
A memory café is a safe and inviting place for individuals with cognitive challenges and their caregivers to come together and enjoy some quality time through a socially engaging activity. All who attend are given the opportunity to meet and mingle with others in the...
Caring for a loved one with dementia poses all sorts of challenges. Changes to the brain can result in a decline in cognitive ability, making communication difficult and behaviors tough to manage. Caregivers can find ways to adapt to these changes through the use of...