Welcome to this Unspeakably Good Dementia Blog!

Welcome to our new blog on the Blogger platform. Here, we're all about getting the best news and information to caregivers of loved ones with dementia. I'll have lots of great articles, videos, education, and opportunities for learning coming your way shortly.



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Three Reasons Why Family Caregivers Are at a Disadvantage

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Being a family caregiver ranges from difficult to brutal. There aren't too many other options. Compared to institutional caregivers, you're at a distinct disadvantage. There's no getting around it, but there are ways to get through it. First, let's make sure you understand the weak spots in your armor and then we'll talk about how to strengthen them. Weak Point #1: you don't get to clock out. You are on duty all the time, even when you're sleeping. If you have anyone to help, you're lucky. But if you're reading this, chances are it's because you are the primary caregiver and you need help. Professional caregivers get to clock out and get some relief, focus on their own families, and live a whole life separate from their work. They get to compartmentalize, keeping the emotional drain of caregiving locked away in the part of their brain reserved for work. You don't get that luxury. Weak Point #2: it's personal. You are emotionally involved....
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"Should" is a magic word, but not the good kind of magic

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  “Should” is a magic word! It mystically transforms your world into a steaming pile of yuck. If you’re a caregiver for a loved one with dementia, you probably have a mile-high stack of shoulds: Your loved one (LO) should be well and free from dementia Modern medicine should have a cure for dementia Your LO should have the same temperament they always have They should be able to handle their bathroom needs on their own I should be able to cope better I should never get angry or lose my temper I should always meet my LO’s needs I should not show my frustration, anger, or sadness I should never resent the person I’m caring for This should just be a nightmare that I can wake up from Things SHOULD NOT be this way All of that may be true. All of those “shoulds” make sense to me, and probably would to anyone. There’s just one problem: “should” and “is” don’t live in the same galaxy. Every time you talk about how something should be, you’re losing touch with the way things are. More than ...
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