Lotsa Blog

Contributed by Christine Binney

Every 60 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. 5.3 million Americans currently suffer from the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Although it is such a prevalent disease, most people living with Alzheimer’s are not aware of their diagnosis.  Only 45 percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease or their caregivers report ever being told of their diagnosis by a healthcare provider. That is why it is so important to understand the symptoms of Alzheimer’s so that you can seek out the best care for your loved one and the proper support for yourself as a caregiver.

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Contributed by Haley Buress

If you are searching for hospice care at home, you are likely experiencing a wide range of emotions. Depending on how you came to your current situation, you might be struggling with issues of peace and understanding, as well as grief and confusion. But giving your loved one the chance to spend their last months at home is one of the best gifts you can give. People who are able to die at home are given the chance to be around those that they love, surrounded by their favorite things at home. Because we know that hospice care at home can be uncharted territory for many caregivers, we have compiled a few things that you need to know when bringing the service home with you.

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Contributed by Dawn Allcot

Being a caregiver isn’t easy. Whether you care for young children, an aging parent or an ill spouse, it’s a non-stop job. As with any job or ongoing duty, we sometimes lose our motivation. It doesn’t mean we love the person we’re caring for any less. Losing motivation usually means we need some “me” time to recharge our batteries.

Here are seven tips for when you need motivation to pick yourself off the couch – even when you don’t want to.

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Contributed by Michelle Hassler

For an injured or sick child, being away from home is a scary thing. Experiencing pain and discomfort while in a strange place with unfamiliar people can a traumatic experience – especially with the number of tests and treatments that can occupy the day. Whether your child is in recovery or receiving treatment, hospital stays are physically exhausting and mentally draining for all involved. However, there are several ways that you can help to comfort your child during an extended hospital stay to make their experience as positive and comfortable as possible.

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Contributed by Tiffany Silverberg

Have you always dreamed of changing the world? Do you have an idea that you just can’t shake? Are you certain that you can make a difference in the lives of those around you if you just had the resources, opportunities, and infrastructure necessary to make your dream a reality? Developing a non profit organization might be the key to your success. If you want to know how to start a non profit, here are a few tips to get you going.

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Contributed by Nathan McVeigh

While people are aware that dementia and Alzheimer’s are two different terms, many of us struggle to understand the difference between the two. Essentially, dementia is an “umbrella” term that describes multiple symptoms and diseases. In this case, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Understanding dementia is the main lesson caregivers and family members must learn in order to know how to deal with the difficult behaviors associated with the disease.

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Contributed by Haley Burress

Divorce can affect adults and children of all ages. While you might think of the challenges that happen when divorced parents split assets and childcare duties, the ramifications of divorce can echo well into the senior years. As your parents age, you might find yourself dealing with some unexpected situations, some of which can have direct implications on their health when it comes to their marriage. Let’s take some time to break down a few ins and outs of aging divorced parents so that you can better navigate everything from relationships to caregiving.

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Contributed by Michelle Hassler

For years, my family desperately tried to navigate through the confusion, worry, and loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease. My grandmother was slipping away before our very eyes. With heavy hearts, we watched her struggle with daily activities and saw her sweet and quiet demeanor become hostile and withdrawn. Eventually, we were met with the devastating realization that she no longer knew us. She no longer knew herself.

A woman who lived a beautiful life full of love and family could not recall any part of it. As time passed, she lost her ability to walk, talk, eat, or use the restroom. We watched her transform into a shell of her former self as she progressed through the stages of Alzheimer’s and could not do anything to prevent it. Instead, we stood back and admired my grandfather’s undying love and devotion as he diligently cared for her for many years. He lost the love of his life – long before he laid her to rest.

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Contributed by Christine Binney

Being a caregiver for a loved one can definitely be stressful at times. It is a big responsibility to provide the best care possible for your friend or family member, and it can be a strain on your time, energy, finances and emotions. When you combine the stresses of caregiving with the daily stresses of everyday life, you may occasionally feel overwhelmed with tension. Unchecked stress has been linked to a variety of physical and psychological health problems, so it’s extremely important to learn how to relax yourself when going through a stressful time. Luckily, there are some tried and true strategies for lessening stress which you can employ the next time you feel your blood pressure rising.

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Contributed by Dawn Allcot

Video chatting with your aging parents is a great way to stay in touch, permitting them to see their grandchildren and allowing you to forge a close connection from afar. But if your aging parents aren’t tech-savvy, trying to video chat can create a rift borne of frustration wider than any geographic distance.

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