Guest Author: Christine O’Connor As an only child tasked with caring for my mother with Alzheimer’s while working full-time in a demanding public relations job, I often felt like I was living two lives. Even with a daytime caregiver, language barriers and lack of transportation meant that every appointment, every call, every crisis fell to me. I learned the hard way how much planning and support matter. This guide shares techniques I adopted, along with those recommended by o

A trip to the Emergency Department is sometimes necessary, but for people living with dementia, it’s not something to take lightly. As an ER nurse, I know hospitalizations can be life-changing events. They disrupt routines, expose patients to unfamiliar environments, and can accelerate confusion or functional decline. Research supports what caregivers and clinicians already know: people living with dementia are far more likely to end up in the ER than their peers. A 2023 stud

When a parent or family member is diagnosed When someone first learns about their loved one’s dementia diagnosis, it can be quite jarring. Television, movies, even ads from Alzheimer’s charities, constantly tell us that everyone involved is in for a slow, painful march towards an ultimate goodbye. While these unhelpful stigmas are not the truth, dementia can be very difficult for both those diagnosed and their family members and loved ones alike. Most people are unprepared fo

When a dementia diagnosis comes, we often don’t  know what to expect, much less how to respond. This guide helps you prepare for what can...