Category Archives: Home Caregiver Chronicles

Announcement: Our Final Journey

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I created this web site to first tell the story of a 5,000 mile walk across the county along the American Discovery Trail, with posts from May 2011 – May 2012, and retold that journey  recently from a different perspective.  … Continue reading

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Helping Grandma

I gradually adjusted to Cindy’s condition, much like a swimmer slowly wading into cool waters rather than plunging in. For those that do not see Cindy on a daily basis their adjustment was more like a plunge, sometimes with a … Continue reading

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Help Wanted

I am a my life, my responsibility kind of guy. I will never take an aptitude test. Neither Myers Briggs nor any other personality assessment will engage my participation. I quickly scroll past all the social memes that will tell … Continue reading

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The Little Gestures that Count

After turning my alarm off in the morning I check in on a few news and social media sites and then spend a little time on one of my writing projects.  About an hour later I arise to start Cindy’s … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Vignettes, Living Well | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Beyond Terminal Care – Being Positive

A few biochemicals produced by our bodies enhance brain health. Neurotransmitters send messages within our central nervous system, while hormones circulate throughout the larger, peripheral nervous system.  Sometimes the same biochemical serves both functions.  Rather than producing them on a … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Brain Health, Caregiver Vignettes, Embrace Joy, Home Caregiver Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Beyond Terminal Care – Being Active

Being active takes different forms.  Much of being social requires being active, and we all know the importance of exercise.  As for that, this year I resumed regular stair workouts this year.  With the expanded coverage I had for 2023 … Continue reading

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Beyond Terminal Care – Being Social

Three types of social conditions benefit brain health: intimacy, altruism and fellowship.  “The Joy of Sex” is aptly titled, but even the intimacy of prolonged hugs can release the neurotransmitters that give you a joyful high.  As long as Cindy … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Build Community, Caregiver Vignettes, Home Caregiver Chronicles, Love Kindness | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Beyond Terminal Care – Becoming a Superager

Caregivers for spouses with dementia are six times more likely to get dementia themselves.  Such caregivers have higher levels of stress and depression, and lower levels of subjective well-being. My contrarian nature causes me to view that as a challenge … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Brain Health, Embrace Joy, Home Caregiver Chronicles, Stages of Decline | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Resolutions, Routines and Resources

On New Years I went for my traditional long hike. The hike allows me to reflect on the past year and make resolutions for the upcoming one. Since New Years follows a month worth of holiday feasting and leftovers, the … Continue reading

Posted in Brain Health, Caregiver Vignettes, Home Caregiver Chronicles | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Beyond Palliative Care – A Best Buy

The past week has been a difficult one for Cindy’s care.  In the wake of her coming off hospice I had to make decisions regarding her Medicare coverage and procurement of a hospital bed.  The bed we were using had … Continue reading

Posted in Alzheimer's Love Story, Caregiver Vignettes, Home Caregiver Chronicles | Tagged , , | 6 Comments