Posts by Jay Isidor

Q: My dad has had multiple small strokes over the past three years, and my mom has been taking care of him at home. She does a great job, and my dad is doing well. They both want to stay in their home, and my mom insists she is capable of managing everything. When we…

Fifteen minutes after I started writing this column, my best friend called. He lives in Los Angeles and we talk, on average, four or five times a week. In some of the most challenging times of our lives, we’ve supported each other. Simply hearing each other’s voices and laughter, being able to complain about “the…

Stepping into the role of caregiver unexpectedly is not unlike being told you have to take an exam in the morning—and you never went to class. If you’re smart, you’ll start talking to friends who’ve taken the class, checking online and looking around for books that can help you. Here are a dozen wonderful resources…

By Mike Collins When I talk to caregivers about their situations, they often bring up travel as an issue—not around the world—just, maybe, out to a movie, shopping or playing golf—some way to get away, if only for the afternoon. Here’s how it usually goes even with caregivers who know their service is an act…

This is the do-it-yourself issue of OutreachNC, so here’s a do-it-yourself health quiz for caregivers. Simply put a check beside the statements that are true: More aches and pains than usual More headaches Tired a lot of the time Don’t have the strength for many daily activities Experience “cotton mouth” more often than in the…

People who have some type of dementia often demonstrate a behavior called shadowing. According to the Mayo Clinic, shadowing occurs when the person with dementia attempts to keep his or her caregiver in sight at all times, following them like a small child would a parent. Shadowing can leave the caregiver feeling smothered and their…

As caregivers, we encounter a whole range of professionals and volunteers while fulfilling our caregiving responsibilities. If you are anything like my brother and me, some of your encounters cause you to wonder, “Does anyone appreciate what it takes to do this?” Here’s something that might ease your stress a little. In 2015, the American…

By Donna Brock, Care Manager, Aging Outreach Services During a recent conversation with a retired Vietnam Veteran and recipient of a Purple Heart, I was enlightened by an analogy of living with and caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease and being at war. I had never considered this idea prior to our conversation,…

Driving as it relates to someone diagnosed with dementia is a topic that has received more attention as people are living longer and the number of people diagnosed has increased. The question of safety is typically stated, “Is he or she safe driving?” The other side of that coin is, “Is everybody else on the…

Recently, a friend was telling me about her caregiving experiences. Her list of stresses, challenges and outright pain would be familiar to most caregivers. I asked, “Have you ever tried mindfulness as a way to lower your stress level, help you think and experience it all more positively, and get a handle on how you…