MY MOTHER’S VOICE: Stolen by Alzheimer’s by Donna L. Scrafano Painting featured by Judith Carlin The medical consensus believes that Alzheimer’s disease has purely biological causes. I feel, however, that traumatic events can also trigger this dreadful disease. This belief is based on my personal experience watching my mother battle Alzheimer’s. The first trauma came Read more
Caregiving During Difficult Times by Donna L Scrafano Although my caregiving duties ended with my father’s death prior to the 2020 pandemic, I continued to facilitate a caregiver support group at the YWCA in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where my father once attended an adult program. During the pandemic, I’m continuing to facilitate the group via phone, Read more
Things I Wish I Knew By Barbara Casey With the elderly, their situation is always fluid. I never knew what I would find when I visited my dad each day at the assisted living residence. This past Sunday was no different. I received a call in the early afternoon from the facility saying “Your Dad Read more
When the Cavalry Doesn’t Arrive By Donna Scrafano A former supervisor once told me that if we don’t have expectations of an individual, we won’t be disappointed in them. Simple, right? Not really, especially when one is providing care to a loved one and there are others who could—and should—assist. I’ve written approximately nine articles Read more
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) ADLs, or activities of daily living, are the fundamental self-care skills we need to properly care for ourselves. ADLs are one of the most important measurements used to determine if people qualify for certain services or if they need an increased level of care. Essentially, these tasks help to determine Read more
THE CAREGIVER by Donna L. Scrafano The definition of “caretaker,” as referenced in the Webster II New Riverside Webster dictionary, reads: “one employed to look after goods, property or another person: CUSTODIAN.” Oh, if only the tasks of caretaking were so very precise, as is this definition. A few years ago, I was asked by Read more
COVID-19: Fact & Fiction Fiction: Only older people can get the virus. Fact: Anyone can get the virus. Old, youmg, any race, any nationality. Fiction: Only or older people are at risk from getting seriously ill or dying from the virus. Fact: Anyone who has any medical condition that weakens their body to fight infection is at Read more
International Caregiving Resources and References Guide Family Caregiving Services – U.S. Caregiving Resource Center – Tools, work sheets and tips on how to plan, prepare and succeed as a caregiver. (AARP) Family Caregiver Toolbox – Tips and information to help caregivers care for their loved ones and themselves. (Caregiver Action Network) Find Aging Resources in Read more
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Caregiving: Facts & Figures Most patients that are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are commonly first diagnosed with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) or Dementia. The symptoms are often similar at the onset, so diagnosing is more difficult. The numbers surrounding caregiving are as shocking as the diseases themselves. Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of Read more
When the Universe Says “Shut Your Mouth” by Donna L. Scrafano For most of my life there has always been someone attempting to prevent me from speaking out or expressing an opinion. Those someones included my immediate family, certain teachers, even public service people (when they were not doing their jobs correctly) and especially individuals Read more
