It seems that advice for maintaining a healthy brain is similar to what we do to keep our bodies well. Walking or any kind of moving helps in this goal. Smoking is out, but studying is a boon to our brains. Being overweight is bad for our bodies, our hearts, and our brains. Another essentialContinue reading “Brain health”
Author Archives: therealtamara
Good news
You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do? You share it with the one you love. Right? After that “point of pain,” I also need to share something wonderful. Shortly after we got Burt’s diagnosis, I was rummaging through a closet and found some of the extravagantly sentimental cards BurtContinue reading “Good news”
A point of pain
You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do? This prompt [above] hits a nerve in our situation. Good news would be something to share with your spouse. As would, of course, fantastic news and alas bad. The first person I would turn to would be Burt. In his fluctuating stateContinue reading “A point of pain”
Promptly
Do you need a break? From what? In my context, the context of this blog, the answer is sadly obvious. Do I need a break from caregiving? Yes, I am sure I do. I am sure any of us in these circumstances does. What’s more, I am sure we all wish we didn’t. Wouldn’t itContinue reading “Promptly”
Support
There is a lot of support for the family member in charge of care. As caregivers, we are the better for taking it. Help is offered in the form of group sessions (now conveniently on Zoom); phone support from trained social workers; and hotline responses for urgent matters. There are myriad associations offering this invaluableContinue reading “Support”
Confused
Confusion comes and goes 🎢 with “Benny Blue.” 🎢 For instance, Burt’s level had seemingly hit a high water (or maybe I should say low water) mark. Then today, the word-scramble went back to his normal. Yesterday, he didn’t recognize the term he had been using to describe his dementia; he had called it “BennyContinue reading “Confused”
Gratitude
What do you complain about the most? The caregiver’s journey is often lonely, depressing, and difficult. A recent support group seminar served as a reminder that there is a lot for which to be grateful while caregiving. The Caregiver Teleconnection program from WellMed Charitable Foundation focused on the Positive aspects of the journey. For instance,Continue reading “Gratitude”
Prompted
So much that is too Much yet, I can’t fixThat. Why me, Burt Cries? I concur whyIndeed. I want to, I Do. I want to make itAll better, go away.I want to fix it. All Of it. I want to fixThat. I want our lifeBack. So very much.The elders would say”If wishes were horsesThen beggarsContinue reading “Prompted”
When things change
We have a rhythm to our journey. Like the clacking of train tracks, it tends to be uneven. His mood changes, and his love, constant but as changeable as the seasons of his moods, comes under their fire. It ebbs and flows but always can be seen rippling under the changes. He returns to meContinue reading “When things change”
Calm down
When I am unable to accomplish something with Burt, I don’t stay calm. Burt, sounding reasonable, tells me to calm down. This guidance is wise. My panicking and consequently screaming louder at him tends to have the unwelcome opposite effect. He has done nothing wrong as he is quick to point out. For the mostContinue reading “Calm down”
this is our life 