It is National Social Work Month, which inspired me to reflect on my 30 years of serving geriatric clients and their families. For most of my career, I was a Social Work Director in residential communities. The most rewarding part was giving my clients a voice.
We have seen many families face crisis scenarios unprepared. The trauma of a devastating diagnosis, accident, or health event can send families into totally avoidable chaos. Many couples and families are completely unprepared for such situations and are forced to make weighty decisions about a loved one’s care amidst overwhelming emotions.
Discussing one’s own death can be difficult for many of us. It’s easy to avoid what can feel like a morbid conversation, and many of us put off such talks, feeling we have plenty of time to figure out what we would want at the end of our lives. However, none of us knows our fate and when the end of our life will be.
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and related dementias affect millions around the globe, and AD accounts for 60 to 70% of all dementias, making it the most common form of dementia. World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting early diagnosis.
Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month is a global healthcare event observed for the entire month of June every year for the last four decades, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and the impact of this disease on individuals and families. Many families are dealing with the impact of Alzheimer’s or dementia, but they may have limited knowledge of these diseases and the resources they will need.
Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood, and yet mental health in later life is often sidelined as other health challenges are prioritized. However, there is a cyclical relationship between physical health and mental health: The presence of chronic conditions and illness is associated with an increased risk for mental illness, and we know that mental illness, in turn, increases the risk for many types of physical health problems.
Perhaps you’ve seen that your loved one can no longer live alone safely, or maybe you care for your loved one in your home and have realized that their care needs exceed what you can provide. You’ve decided it’s time to find an assisted living community in Maryland that will provide the best care and quality of life possible, while within your budget and at a comfortable driving distance.
Now that 2022 has come to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the year that has passed all too quickly (or perhaps for some, it seemed to drag on forever…) and think about what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to change in the year ahead. Perhaps you’re completely worn out with caregiving and realize you need some outside help. Maybe you have neglected yourself amid all the demands of caregiving. Or are you a “sandwich” caregiver, still caring for children at home while also caring for a parent and wondering how you can do it all in the year ahead?
Family and togetherness are key themes for the holidays. Scenes of holiday hustle and bustle, idyllic decorations, and happy families can inspire us and get us into the holiday spirit. Perhaps your own family will be gathering together, your home is beautifully decorated, and your holidays are all that you hope them to be. Or maybe not! All the television commercials, Hallmark Christmas movies, and holiday activities can make this time of year awfully difficult for people who are grieving a loss. If the grief is fresh, holiday cheer can seem like an affront. The holidays can also be challenging if you have no family nearby, and celebrations can underscore how alone people feel.
Anyone caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia will at some point struggle with how to spend meaningful time with their loved one or add purpose to their lives. Family visits can feel awkward, pointless, or sad as we grapple with our loved one’s cognitive decline and memory loss, and it can become very challenging to have a meaningful visit. However, those with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia still have the need and capacity for meaning and purpose in life – they just need someone to guide them into appropriate activities that can add greatly to their happiness and quality of life.