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Mr. & Mrs. Smith
I was leaving the conference hall where
the 22nd annual conference held by the Western Carolina
Alzheimer’s Association had just concluded. It was an honor
to be asked to speak at the event especially since it was
aptly titled, Support for Today's Caregiver. The event was
held on a perfect fall day, crisp and clear, with a
cloudless Carolina blue sky. Walking from the conference
hall to the car which would take me back to the airport, I
took my time to relish in the sights and smells that can
only be experienced on such a day in such a place.
Walking beside me was a nice looking
middle aged couple; let’s call them Dan and Jane Smith for
the sake of anonymity (if not literary originality). Jane
started to talk as we walked together, saying that she had
liked the conference very much, enjoyed my speech and that
of Dr. James Burke from Duke University who spoke in the
session after mine. She told me that when her family’s loved
one was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the doctor told
them that they were dealing with FTD and that they should
come in for another appointment in four months. Later that
night, convinced that he wasn’t talking about the floral
distribution organization, she looked up the initials and
was aghast to find out that in this case FTD stood for
frontotemporal dementia. To her credit, she immediately
called the doctor and demanded more information, and a
better bedside manner.
Dan Smith, who looked like a college
professor complete with tweed jacket and wire-rimmed glasses
added “I’ve been in education most of my life and I‘ve
noticed that the challenge of Alzheimer’s disease is usually
to be found in the lack of communication.” Although this
seems like an obvious statement for anyone with a loved one
living with memory disorder to make, Dan was actually
referring to the health care professionals that he has met
since his own diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease two years
ago. I think, we can all still learn a thing or two from
Professor Smith.
Take care
Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com
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Feature
Article |
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Protecting Seniors From Work-at-home Schemes
By Janet Crozier
“Work minutes a day at home and earn enough to pay all of your
bills.” ...Continued |
Additional Articles:
Protection From the Perils of Aging
By Jessica Ashton, Staff Writer
The news isn’t good. According to some
experts, long-term care insurance, around in various
forms since the 1970s, is too risky and too
expensive for most people.
...Continued
Escape:
Seniors and Fire Prevention
By
Janice Budzinski
These are the top three causes of fire among seniors: smoking, heating sources and cooking....Continued
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Guest Column |
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Wake Up and Fight Parkinson's
With Exercise
By Jackie Russell, RN
Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains, for the
most part, a mystery of medical science...Continued |
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Caretips |
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Not Another Sleepless Night
By Jennifer Buckley
A typical day for a caregiver might include on-the-job stress in the
morning, a rush to a doctor’s appointment for your mother at lunchtime ...Continued
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F r o m O u r R e a d e r s |
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Carenotes |
I am a
caregiver for a 82 yr young
wonderful lady. She brightens my
day EVERYDAY. She has become
depressed and I have been
finding things for her and I to
do OUT of the house to get her
out in the sun and out of the
house. I know looking at the
same 4 walls all the time must
be hard on her.
She called me the other day
instead of her Daughter, who was
at work. My client was very
upset and crying, needing to
talk and just be heard. I have
noticed every time she tries to
talk to her daughter about any
feelings, illness, or pains her
daughter tells her it is all in
her head and to not worry so
much. She is not worrying, she
is in pain, mentally
(depression) and physical pain.
She does not feel comfortable
sharing her feelings and needs
with her daughter anymore. I am
noticing that the daughter is
getting upset with me for being
a friend to her mother. She
rolled her eyes at me when I
told her that her mother was
very lonely and only called me
because she is so grateful for
all she has done for her and did
not want to bother her at work
when I was available.
To get to my question.....
How do I let the family know
I am there to help them not take
over any of their love or need
their mother has for them?
I know my client needs someone
to just listen and validate her
feelings, needs and wants. She
tells me that I am the only one
she feels she can tell her true
feelings and thoughts.
I do love my client and care for
her and her family deeply. I
really do not want to step on
anyone's toes here. I just want
to help them all to have a
better life with their mother.
So they get the breaks they
deserve and get to enjoy the
times they are home with her. I
am just wanting to do my job (caregiving)
for my client, make a difference
in her life as she has in mine.
Any Ideas???? Feeling blue,
D
Answer This Week's CareNote:
carenotes/2006/index.htm
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