Tag Archives: dementia
A Little Bit of Everything
I’m sorry I’m stupid,” my father mumbles. When he struggles to find a word or finish a sentence because of his dementia, he hides his embarrassment and frustration by making this heart-wrenching statement. “Dad, you are not stupid,” I automatically … Continue reading
What Lingers
Long before her diagnosis, my reliably cheerful friend turned sour. Even our most mundane conversations became contentious. Pessimism and frustration darkened her world. Eventually, as words eluded her and her thinking grew disorganized, the diagnosis came: early dementia. Terrifying, yes, … Continue reading
The Juggle
Think about what you want your life to be like when you’re done caregiving, suggests O’Donnell. When her parents were both diagnosed with terminal illnesses on the same day, she initially felt obligated to give her entire life over to … Continue reading
Faithful Husband
I often read your column aloud to my disabled wife, who is terminally ill with a relatively rare frontotemporal dementia. She is nearing the final stage of the disease. We are fortunate to have a great many friends and family … Continue reading
Caregivers
Unsurprisingly, caregivers are at increased risk for a host of health problems: depression, anxiety, arthritis, headaches, diabetes, back pain, weakened immunity, even cancer. They seldom have time or energy to focus on their own well-being. If they’re able to take … Continue reading
Real Life of an MSW 