Although she had a thriving career as an entertainer, Dolly Parton also was a long-time caregiver to her husband, Carl Dean, who reportedly suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for six years before his death in March of 2025. Unfortunately, like many caregivers, Parton’s focus on her loved one’s health impacted her own. On Aug. 21, Parton…
If reading brings you joy, the summer can be a wonderful time to step away from your troubles and enter a new world. Reading, whether by audiobook or print, not only provides enjoyment, it improves our mental and physical health while also enhancing empathy. People recovering from surgery or struggling with dementia have improved outcomes…
Like other people in the modern world, caregivers tend to spend most of their time indoors, often involved with the apps on their phones. Overall, American adults spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors, and 58 percent report that they spend too much time on their phones, according to a Gallup poll. Dr.…
It’s May, a month the reminds me of my mother, who was born on May 16, and of caregiving, an endeavor that I first did for my late mother, who I tended during her long illness when I was a young woman. May, which, to me, is also a month of hope, spring flowers, and…
The movie, The Notebook, tells the story of a love affair that is retold day after day by a loving husband to his wife with dementia. Comedian Jay Leno is the primary caregiver of his wife, Mavis, who has dementia, and he says he sometimes connects with her through jokes that resonate with their shared past…
Fatigue. It hits all of us. As caregivers, our minds whir with so many things to do and worries to manage that we often have trouble getting to sleep, staying asleep, and waking up rested. This lack of sleep may not only make us groggy and grumpy during the day, but our concentration, memory, and…
The challenges of caregiving are many, but the life of a caregiver can also be filled with many joys. An elderly woman recently died after years of dementia and other health issues. Her husband had been her main caregiver, and, despite the difficulties they encountered, their love and connection remained strong throughout her years of…
January is a common time when people commit to something new, but it’s also a time when people drop those same commitments often before the month is over. It’s a rare human that can keep a New Year’s resolution, and yet a resolution and the New Year can be full of possibility. We might dream…
The holiday season with its emphasis on light, ranging from Christmas tree lights to candles for Channukah and Kwanzaa, can be a reminder to look for the light in our lives. As a caregiver, sometimes we are so busy that the light in our lives can get lost, but the light is always there. By…
Best-laid plans can go awry. Two sisters whose 90-year-old mother had mild dementia thought that an assisted living facility might be the best place for her. Near one sister’s home, they found a great place with lots of social opportunities and activities, which they hoped would help slow the dementia’s progress. They toured the place,…