While the U.S. recognizes National Family Caregivers Month and millions of family caregivers in the U.S. serve lovingly and with great sacrifice, I extend our recognition a quarter way around the Earth to welcome family caregiver, Mauretta Bernardini in Italy! I met Mauretta Bernardini last month while in Florence. She and her husband retired six years ago. Like the rest of us, they had plans to enjoy their retirement after working decades and raising a son. But as former Beatles, John Lennon wrote, “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans,” Mauretta’s beloved Welsh hubby, G ..read more

Just in time for the Holidays and to start the New Year, Ashkan Vaziri, PhD, Founder and CEO of BioSensics LLC, writes to share good news about the outcome of a $3,000,000 National Institutes of Health grant his company received. BioSensics developed a digital solution for older adults and caregivers. Guest Article by Dr. Ashkan Vaziri Nili Care The solution, called Nili, is designed to lower the burden of caregiving while promoting happier, healthier aging. Nili is a care coordination platform comprised of a Nili Companion Tablet and the Nili Mobile App, available to caregivers using either i ..read more

November is National Family Caregivers Month here in the U.S. An excerpt from the Presidential Proclamation, “Let us celebrate and honor our caregivers and renew our efforts to protect their dignity, health, and security. Because when we care for our caregivers, we honor our American ideals and move closer to a future where no one in this Nation is left behind.” Advice for Carers, Humanitarian Agencies, Communities and People Living with Dementia During Times of Crisis In response to the crisis in Ukraine, Alzheimer’s Disease International developed advice cards in different languages. Nearly ..read more

Respite brings energy to create endearing connections with others. First, the Florence-based caregiver who reads The Caregiver’s Voice monthly newsletter. Then, the Milan-based Secretary General of Federazione Alzheimer Italia and Board Member of Alzheimer’s Europe. And finally, the wine master in Panzano in Chianti. There is something exciting about venturing away from your daily routine. Day after day, caregiving responsibilities wear you down. A change-of-pace can help you recharge. You feel more energy when you have something new to look forward to. On a personal note, I love romantic come ..read more

Six article excerpts include three about dementia for World Alzheimer’s Month; plus, excerpts on elder trauma, benefits of drinking coffee, and excess weight might actually be a good thing. In Older Adults, a Little Excess Weight Isn’t Such a Bad Thing Are extra pounds a bad thing? “Carrying extra weight can sometimes be protective in later life. For people who fall, fat can serve as padding, guarding against fractures. And for people who become seriously ill with conditions such as cancer or advanced kidney disease, that padding can be a source of energy, to tolerate demanding therapies. Of c ..read more

For World Alzheimer’s Month, The Caregiver’s Voice features four videos. One is a touching piece from Japan about people with dementia engaged in purposeful and joyful frontline work as servers in a restaurant. Another features Dr. Kerry Burnight’s caregiver communication tips. The third, is a touching song for people with younger-onset Alzheimer’s. Finally, a trailer of a soon-to-be-released documentary: Keys Bags Names Words. Click on each of the title links. The Restaurant with Mistaken Orders In Tokyo, Japan there is a restaurant where the servers have dementia and/or other cognitive impai ..read more

On the day I die a lot will happen. A lot will change. The world will be busy. On the day I die, all the important appointments I made will be left unattended. The many plans I had yet to complete will remain forever undone.   — John Pavlovitz   A few weeks ago, my chiropractor, Dr. Dewald, posted “On the Day I Die” to his Facebook page. I paused to ponder portions of the poem below. We don’t even have to die. Some of Pavlovitz’s words apply while we’re recovering from illness or injury. The world seems to speed by us—without us. It feels worse when we’re dealing with a long-ter ..read more

To test or not to test. Are you curious? I am. BUT, what are the consequences? Within the last month, Quest Diagnostics sent me two emails—one promoted “Genetic Insights” based on my DNA. The other? In a moment. Genetic Insights I was curious to “identify certain health risks based on [my] DNA and [my] family history.” I could learn whether I am at risk for breast or colon cancer, genetically inherited high cholesterol, or heart disease. I can learn which parts of my DNA might foretell what may come during the next 10 or 20 years. I may learn of certain health risks that may place greater imme ..read more

“If we don’t laugh, we’ll cry,” say caregivers. The SERIOUS Years ago, at a quarterly care plan meeting in the skilled nursing facility, I gently remind management to encourage staff to respond to alarms when they go off. I also emphasize the importance of turning on the monitor when my father goes to bed. Otherwise, what purpose will the technology serve? The FUNNY During this same quarterly review, I ask about a new behavior—teeth grinding. My father’s been clenching his jaw and grinding his teeth with such force, I fear he will crush his own teeth. Is this possible? A member of the care pla ..read more

This will be our final monthly edition of our curated article excerpts as we move into our “Less is more” publishing model. We’ll continue to offer article excerpts from time to time. For now, we begin with two guides—one for driving with dementia and the other, Medicare benefits for long-term care. Dementia Alliance International shares a short article on one’s life journey with dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease International answers questions regarding vaccines for dementia. Finally, AI-programmed robots help provide care and companionship. Dementia and Driving Some people with dementia are abl ..read more