Category Archives: Caregiver Journal

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 Journal, Caregiver Vignettes, Embrace Joy | 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 Journal, Caregiver Vignettes, 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, Caregiver Journal, Embrace Joy, 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

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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

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Beyond Palliative Care – The Difficult Choice

Shortly before Cindy was removed from hospice they asked me whether beating the odds for keeping her alive was really what she would have wanted.  They were questioning whether choosing quality of life measures over palliative care actually gave Cindy … Continue reading

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Beyond Palliative Care – Quality of Life

The VNA provided a “comfort pack” for Cindy when they placed her on hospice care.  The pack included medicine deemed necessary to comfort a hospice patient during the final decline, with everything from suppositories to morphine.  I only use lorazepam, … Continue reading

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Beyond Palliative Care – Physical Therapy

Once Cindy struggled to walk, I requested that the VNA provide me instruction for physical therapy exercises to do with her.  She receives these exercises to preserve the range of motion in her limbs 4-5 times a day, mostly from … Continue reading

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Beyond Palliative Care – Feeding

Patients admitted into a hospice program have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.  Palliative care to make the patient comfortable then replaces curative treatment.  As we neared the time for Cindy to come off hospice, my efforts to maximize her … Continue reading

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