For The Longest Day in 2021, Lee Kranz of Newcastle, Wash. rode his e-bike along the Palouse to Cascades Trail in honor of his father, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 1994. Continue reading Biking Across Washington: The Longest Day
By: Beth Hutchason, MN, ARNP Over the last 14 years doing palliative and hospice care, I found myself in hundreds of conversations with people who have dementia and people who love and care for them. This was mainly in a professional setting as a nurse practitioner, but I also personally had some of these difficult conversations with my family surrounding my dad’s diagnosis with Lewy … Continue reading Five Things I Learned as a Palliative Nurse Practitioner and Family Caregiver
Last year, in the middle of a sermon, Sylvia lost her place and couldn’t remember what she was saying. This was one of the signs Sylvia and Chris noticed before her diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s. This year, Sylvia and Chris will participate in the Pierce County Walk to End Alzheimer’s in honor of their family and other families facing this disease. Continue reading Our Love Endures: Why I Walk
You being many labels, one of which is a person living with dementia during COVID-19. We’ll explore how you might be tapping into your cognitive reserves, resilience reservoirs and strength systems and what you can do, or how you can be, to feel a sense of settledness and balance in your world. Continue reading Living Well with Dementia During COVID-19
Every adult should have “advance directives.” There are several basic types of these legal documents that describe how you want medical decisions to be made for you if you are unable to make them yourself. Continue reading Advance Directives: Make Your Wishes Known
My name is Don Sweet. I live in Yakima with my wife Cindy. We have been married for five years now. I work as a Job Developer at a nonprofit organization that trains and employs adults with disabilities. I am the Walk Chair for the Yakima Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the captain of Team Cha Cha (more to come on the name later). My … Continue reading Taking care of Mom: Why I Walk
by David Leek Nature has provided me with Her own celebratory plaque.It is white and, I believe, quite pure.It fills my mind,In a manner of speaking. I had not previously heardThe mysterious and alliterative term,“Pre-senile dementia.” I must admit, it has a certain authoritative ring.Medical titles usually do,And this one is quite official sounding. It tells the story of a slow, crustaceous process,Sort of like the … Continue reading It’s All Good
Mother’s Day celebrations for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be bittersweet and challenging, even under the best of circumstances. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic adds new complexities to the mix. Social distancing guidelines, travel restrictions and safety protocols in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities may prevent you from celebrating together in person. This may seem daunting and difficult to accept, … Continue reading Celebrating Mother’s Day During COVID-19
With stay-at-home orders in effect across Washington and Idaho, many families facing dementia are sheltering in place to protect their health and reduce their risk of infection. This has proven challenging for many caregivers, as they look for ways to keep their loved ones active and engaged while they’re at home for an extended period of time. Below are some tips for choosing and engaging … Continue reading Caregiver tips: Staying engaged while staying at home
Tia Powell, MD holds the Trachtenberg chair in Bioethics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she is Professor of Epidemiology and Psychiatry. She directs the Montefiore Einstein Center for Bioethics and the Certificate and Masters Programs in Bioethics. She is recognized for her bioethics scholarship related to dementia, LGBT issues, end-of-life care and health policy. Read her full bio here. You are an expert … Continue reading Dementia Reimagined: Q&A with Tia Powell, MD
