December 6, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Did you ever wake up in the middle of a dream and wonder, for just a moment, if what you were dreaming about was real? It can feel so disorienting until you open your eyes and take in your familiar surroundings. Such an experience can give you just a brief glimpse into the ongoing disorientation for someone with dementia. When confusion about time, place, and even identity settle in for someone you love, you have two choices in determining which dementia care approach is best: either stepping into their reality with them, or orienting them to yours. (more…)
November 21, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
What’s at the top of your wish list this holiday season? An end to world hunger? A new home? Good health for your loved ones? What if you could eliminate stress and simply take pleasure in the holiday season? What a gift that would be! (more…)
November 14, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
It’s safe to say that we all want to spend as little time in the hospital as possible. The aim is to get the necessary treatment or procedure over with as soon as possible and move on to recovering. Unsurprisingly, the growing trend in hospital-at-home services is one being met with open arms. Imagine being able to avoid: (more…)
November 8, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Fries and ketchup. Ham and cheese. Salt and pepper. Some things are just designed to go together. One combination you want to avoid, however, is boredom and dementia. Studies have revealed that boredom in dementia results in an increase in: (more…)
October 23, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
What was going through your head when you put on your clothes this morning? Staying comfy? Looking stylish? A special piece attached to a sweet memory? The clothes we wear are an integral part of our identity, and the simple act of choosing what to wear and being able to put it on is crucial to our independence. When the effects of growing older or a health condition like arthritis make it difficult to self-dress, adaptive clothing is a wonderful way to maintain self-sufficiency. (more…)
October 16, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Married couples promise an undying love for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. When you first speak these words at the altar, it’s hard to imagine how it will feel to actually live them out. It may come as a surprise to you that anger, frustration, and resentment can go hand-in-hand with fulfilling your vows when caregiving for your spouse. (more…)
October 8, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Anyone who’s listened to music on a record player knows that the needle doesn’t always track smoothly. Sometimes a tiny piece of dust or debris causes it to skip or get stuck, leaving you hearing only a few words of the song over and over again until you address the problem. (more…)
September 21, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
One of the first symptoms of dementia people usually think of is a loss of memory. While memory loss is the primary impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, there are many other parts of life impacted as well. In fact, each of the five senses can be altered in a variety of ways that are important to understand. (more…)
September 13, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
It’s easy to let other relationships take a back seat when you’re committed to caring for a senior loved one. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day, and you can only spread yourself so thin. This can lead to additional stress, hurt feelings, and misunderstandings. (more…)
July 19, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Everyone remembers “the talk” with their parents. How could you forget? If you thought that was uncomfortable, brace yourself for “the talk” with an older parent about concerns you’re noticing and the need for care at home! Discussing home care options with your parents can be a tough conversation for many reasons: (more…)
