Difficult discussions: Talk early and talk often, with guidance from The Conversation Project
We know it can be hard to start conversations about health care through the end of life with someone you care for. It can be even harder when the person has Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Over time, they begin to lose their memory, capability to independently perform daily routines and tasks, or reasoning ability.
That’s why it’s best to start a conversation before any treatment decision needs to be made. Sometimes, we might avoid the conversation by telling ourselves, “it’s too soon.” But it always seems too soon, until it’s too late.
Your Conversation Starter Guide For Caregivers of People with Alzheimer’s or Other Forms of Dementia | The Conversation Project
For early and middle stages, when people may be more able to converse, the guide offers tips for how to talk and for what to do if the person does not want to talk. The guide talks about suggestions for understanding what matters most to the person during different stages of the disease. https://theconversationproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/DementiaGuide.pdf
Updates and additional resources
Caregiver’s Corner | Resources for the Journey
Reframing Caregiving | Caregiver Self-Care: Why You Should Create A Caregiver Bill of Rights
A first and very important step in self-care is to establish your own Caregiver Bill of Rights. You’ve gotten the checklist from your care recipient’s health care team on how to care for them. Now, it’s time to put down on paper how you want to care for yourself and what support you need. Putting yourself first is not selfish: it’s an essential tool to provide proper care for your loved one. It is easier to identify a boundary early on instead of putting it in place down the road.
Rewind | Elder Care Workshop Recording February 2024
Forgetfulness: What is Normal Aging and What Isn’t?
As we age changes occur in both our body and our brain. We become less physically and mentally limber. It might take us a little longer to accomplish the things we want, like finding our keys or glasses. Is our forgetfulness just a part of ‘normal’ aging, an early indicator of dementia, or a consequence of stress and anxiety? Dr. Erin Abner, Professor in the UK Department of Epidemiology, with joint appointments in UK Sanders Brown Center on Aging and the UK Department of Biostatistics answers the question we may be asking as we notice changes in our loved one or ourselves.