In 1996, my wife, Gwen, started asking the same question three to four times in a short period of time. Since she was seeing a neurologist for seizures, I decided to ask about it. The neurologist suggested getting a neuropsych exam. After the exam, the doctor said, “If she wasn’t so young (age 56), I would think it was Alzheimer’s.” It turned out it was. Continue reading Finding support as a caregiver: Why I Walk
A couple of months ago when it was clear Liz needed hospice care, there was no question Rick and I would be there for her, even though neither of us had any hospice experience. The pandemic turned out to be a blessing in my situation as it allowed me to work from home, so we set up mom (on what was to be her “deathbed”) adjacent to my home office. Continue reading Mom’s Greatest Gift: Life lessons from a pandemic, dementia and a supportive work family
By Alisa Carroll I love you, mom. My mom and I have always been best friends. She laughs easily and beautifully and has, her entire life, been the most animated and spirited person I know. She has been my cheerleader and encourager, and me hers –always at one another’s sides in times of need and celebration. One of her dreams was to go to India, … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Alisa Carroll
My mom’s dementia progressed and it was given the name Alzheimer’s. I saw this horrific disease steal my beautiful mom from me. I wrote these poems to help express my profound sadness during this season of life with my mom. Continue reading Through a Daughter’s Eyes: A Collection of Poems
When their bodies or minds (or both) leave them unable to keep up with the tasks of living, and it becomes our duty to take up the tasks for them. We put our plans, ideas, hopes and futures on hold and our worlds begin to spin on the axis of someone else’s needs. Continue reading The messy nobility of being a caretaker
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
Above: Dee Anne and her mother, Rose Dee Anne De Angelo is an Air Force veteran raising two teenagers in Wenatchee, WA. In addition to raising her kids, Dee Anne is the founder of a group that supports women veterans, and was the sole caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease who recently passed away. This is her Alzheimer’s advocacy story. Dee Anne’s father was … Continue reading My Advocacy Story: Dee Anne De Angelo
By Mel Watson, Director, Time Together Adult Day Services, Island Senior Resources How many of us ever plan to be a family caregiver? Do we consider what we might do, if someone close to us needs help to do everyday things? It’s not something most of us think about until we are facing it, head on. Years ago, my mom made me promise never to … Continue reading The Promise
