Let's Talk Dementia
By Carol Howell - dementia educat
Let's Talk DementiaJun 02, 2020
LIONS, TIGERS, BEARS AND ANTS...OH NO! "JUST THE BAD ANT"
Do you feel as if your world is filled with stress, anxiety, or tension, and you can't see anything except the "bad" things? Is it hard to find the good things in your world? You might have an infestation of "Just The Bad Ants."
Lions, Tigers, Bears and ANTS...Oh No! - "The Less Than Ant"
How many times in your life have you felt "less than" in a particular life situation? It is so common, and it is not beneficial to us. The Less Than Ant needs to be exterminated!
LIONS, TIGERS, BEARS AND ANTS - EPISODE 5 - "WACKED UP"
Stress is causing life to be "wacked up!" That is my new technical term, and I believe it is accurate. We deal with stressors we should not have in our lives. How do we handle this?
Lions, Tigers, Bears and Ants...OH NO! "Daily News"
Do you constantly surround yourself with the world news? Newspapers…television…scrolling on your phone… all of these can be detrimental to your cognitive and emotional health.
LIONS, TIGERS, BEARS AND ANTS...OH NO! "Fairy Tales"
Many of us know about the Grimm Fairy Tales, but have ever thought about how scary they are? To think these stories were read to us as children is kind of crazy. The stress brought on by these scary stories is something to be considered. Stress is not our friend!
Lions, Tigers, Bears and ANTS...OH NO! - Phobias
There are many phobias, and some you may be familiar with. I will share a few with you today that might be unfamiliar. Phobias can lead to stress. Stress leads to dementia.
Lions, Tigers, Bears and Ants - "The Cavemen"
We all live with stress that is causing dis-ease and disease. Did you know stress can cause dementia? What does that have to do with lions, tigers, bears, ants, and cavemen?
Push That Wall DOWN
No matter how hard I try or how much I want, I will not push that wall down. Arguing with your folks with dementia is much the same. You will not be successful! (Sounds like most arguments we have with anyone else!)
Buy A Baby Doll
Have you tried giving your loved one with advanced dementia a baby doll to hold and comfort? It can be very soothing. Listen in to learn more. This is a link for one that looks so real - https://amzn.to/3OUNNfg . Happy caregiving!
Streaking
If your loved one has a tendency to remove their clothing, it might be time to investigate adaptive clothing.
Do You Pick Your Nose?
A recent study suggested picking your nose causes Alzheimer's. Is that true?
Finger Foods - FUN!
Finger foods are great for my one year old granddaughter. They are also a great idea for your loved one with dementia who might be having trouble manipulating a spoon or fork. Tune in for a few great recipe ideas!
10 Rules For Common Consideration
There are 10 Rules For Common Consideration (otherwise known as 10 Commandments for Those Who Interact With People). Obeying these ten rules will make us all better communicators. This is true even in the dementia caregiving journey.
Making A Sand Bag
Making a small one pound sand bag is easy, and it is a great tool to offer strength training/weight bearing exercises for your loved one (and you).
Who Is That Old Woman In The Mirror?
Looking in the mirror is something we do without giving it much thought. Looking into the mirror when we are living in the late stages of dementia can be VERY confusing.
The Digestive System Begins In The Mouth
Did you know the digestive system begins in your mouth? It is the beginning of your gut microbiome. How we take care of our oral microbiome has a direct effect on the gut microbiome which has a direct effect on the brain!
Luke 2 - A Life Changing Story
“The Christmas Story from Luke 2”
Consider sharing this video with all of your family, but if you have a loved one with dementia who grew up hearing the story of Christ’s birth, they might enjoy this, also.
Smile, Please
A smile can change YOUR day and the day of the person you are smiling at. Try it!. Please!
MEDS-RX X is for X-TRA
We will finish the acronym MEDS-RX with Xtra. The Xtra things you can do to build cognitive health.
Being Grateful and a Missing Turkey
The turkey, mac and cheese and sweet potatoes went missing on Thanksgiving morning! But I found a way to be thankful.
Let's Talk About Thanksgiving and Your Family!
Family gatherings are wonderful. Family gatherings are loud. Family gatherings can be frustrating and scary and bring about agitation in YOU and your loved one with dementia. In today's episode, we will learn ways to decrease the negative and increase the positive.
MEDS-RX - R is for Reading
Do you like to read? Did you realize it is good for your brain and your cognitive health? That's excellent news!
MEDS-RX - S Is For SLEEP
The six free "prescriptions" to improve your cognitive health. MEDS-RX. Today's episode will cover SLEEP.
MEDS-RX - D IS FOR DIET
We have been discussing the acronym MEDS-RX for a few weeks. M is for Meditation. E is for Exercise. This week we will talk about D is for Diet.
MEDS - RX - E is for EXERCISE
MEDS-RX are the 6 free prescriptions to prevent cognitive decline.
M is for meditation, and E is for exercise.
STRESSORS - They Will Happen
If you can make it through life without stress, then you need to teach the rest of us how you do it. Stressors are everywhere. How we handle them is the key to a healthy life. I'm trying to handle my stressors. Are you?
MEDS RX - What Does The "M" Stand FOR
MEDS RX represent the six free "medications" for a healthy brain. What does the "M" stand for? Listen in to learn.
Sanitary Pads And Pull-Ups For Men
Sanitary pads for men might seem a hard concept to adjust to. However, most men adjust quite easily! Even more, they adjust to pull-up Depend type products easily, also.
101 And Pregnant?
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be a senior citizen and pregnant? What about 101 and pregnant? That scenario presented in the life of my client this week!
Movin' and Groovin'
Brushing your teeth, brain yoga, and juggling. Yep, that all have something to do with a healthy brain!
Grass Between Your Toes
If you haven't taken your loved one out for a walk, give it a try. It is very healing for both of you.
Anticipatory Grief and Voice Recordings
Mr. Anderson Cooper grieved heavily when his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, died. He used that time to process his grief through voice recordings. Using his phone, he recorded his thoughts, pain, emotions, memories, and whatever was on his mind. On today's episode, we will talk about this wonderful idea.
Making Caregiving Easier and Pooh Less Stinky
You have many challenges in your caregiving journey, and today's episode is meant to help organize some of those challenges. In the process, I have a tip to make pooh less stinky!
Finding Your Voice
With the stressors of life, we often lose our voice. We think we don't have a right to speak up. I'm asking you to take back that right!
A MINUTE TO HEAL
What if it only took a minute several times a day to help you feel less anxious? What if that resulted in a better YOU? That's what is going on in my life, and I hope you benefit from what I am learning.
Hurricane Season and Dementia
We all experience storms in our world. Some are small rain storms, and some are category five hurricanes. What are you facing? What are you doing to help deal with these storms? Write me - carol@letstalkdementia.org .
Living With A "YES Perspective"
Life can be difficult, even on a good day. Throw caregiving in the mix, stir in some anxiety, toss in a negative outlook, and you produce an unhappy experience. Living life with a "YES PERSPECTIVE" helps every hard situation feel less stressful!
Breaking Up and Love Affairs
"Breaking up is hard to do," according to Neil Sedaka. Breaking up with your sofa or recliner might be a good thing to consider. What about a love affair? Tune in to learn more.
BECAUSE I Want To
BECAUSE brand incontinence supplies have changed my sister's life. I hope you will check them out. https://becausemarket.com/products/boosters
I Have A HERO!
Do you have a hero? I do. Actually, my sister has a HERO, and it is an amazing medication dispensing device. If you take several medications a day, or if you are dispensing several medications a day for someone else, you need a HERO. To learn more go to https://herohealth.com/medicare/ .
Lettuce, Mushrooms, and Coffee
Calories, lettuce, romaine lettuce and mushroom coffee are the topics of today's show. Who wants mushrooms in their coffee? I do, and I hope you will, also.
Olive Oil And Your Brain
Did you know olive oil helps reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, AND (drum roll, please) neurodegenerative disease. Who knew? However, you need to use a good quality oil. Listen in to learn more.
Caregiver Syndrome - Do You Have It?
One out of four American families caregive for someone over the age of 50! This caregiving can lead to Caregiver Syndrome. What is it? Do you have it?
Silence Is Golden
Silence can be golden. Every moment of the day does not need to be filled with sound and bright lights. Silence can be healing!
Glasses To Help You Sleep
TrueDark blue light blocking glasses are an amazing way to improve your quality AND quantity of sleep. These glasses help your brain produce melatonin. Melatonin helps you sleep! The glasses are inexpensive, non-invasive, and easy to wear. I LOVE MY GLASSES. Click HERE to order.
To Do Lists Stink
If you are using a "To Do List" with your loved one with dementia, it might not be going so well. Why is that?
In The Midst of Chaos
No one enjoys living "in the midst of chaos," yet dementia caregiving, and life in general, can cause this to occur. What is the best approach?
HELP! I Have A Problem With The Assisted Living
A good assisted living is such a blessing, but things do not always go as we hope. How do we respond to this?
Babies, Peanut Butter and Blessings
I am thankful for: babies, (especially my new granddaughter), peanut butter, and YOU! What are you thankful for? Have you announced your thanksgivings? Why should you?
Daddy Keeps Apologizing for 1968
If Dad wants to apologize for something that happened many years ago, how do we handle that?