Category: Caregiving

*Life takes a daily toll on even marginally autistic people like me. I do a lot more compromising than I want to. I spend countless hours answering emails from people who just want me to tell them how I fixed myself so they can fix their kids. It doesn’t matter how much I try to… Continue reading Why I believe There Is No Normal.

Do you have a place, space, or room to decompress? The word “decompress” is commonly used in our vocabulary, and it means the same as “take a break” or “relax.” Do you remember the old saying, “You need to chill, or Man, take a chill pill!” Who wouldn’t like to take a pill and have… Continue reading A Place To Go

I always write and speak from personal experience.  My son was like all other children; his behavior defined him.  If you have a special needs child, a child on the spectrum, or a child without a disability, your child is likely to be judged.   My son was sweet but persistent in his quirks or… Continue reading What are Tics?

When are you the happiest?  Have you looked at your behavior to examine what makes you feel good?  Ups and Downs are part of life, and we know this fact.  I want to help others get to a place of contentment.  In my own life, I have been happy many times.  I know how lucky… Continue reading Happiness

“People don’t fake depression; they fake being okay.” – Robin Williams Depression is important to speak about. Those who have or had depression know it can be debilitating. For some people, hiding their feelings has become a habit that can hurt. Opening yourself up to those emotions can help you mitigate that hurt and the… Continue reading Hiding Depression

The decision to have in-home care is daunting. The immediate questions that come to mind are: where do I start? How much will the care cost? These and all the others that arise are important. In past blogs, I have touched on how I found help for my mother, who had Alzheimer’s.  I started our… Continue reading In-Home Help

**This article references family members taking on the role of caregiver, not professional caregiving services. I am not a licensed caregiver** Why do caretakers receive criticism? You would think friends and family would understand how hard the caregiver works. The dictionary describes criticism as, “The expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived… Continue reading In Support of the Caregiver

Hope is a wonderful emotion.  Hopelessness is debilitating.  What causes us to become hopeless?  Is it a lack of optimism or a feeling of dread?  I have found in my life my feelings of dread were brought on by past experiences.  Unfortunately, past events stay with you, and when you are faced with a similar… Continue reading Hope and Hopelessness?

This morning I woke to a beep from my cell phone.  It was a message from my friend’s daughter, Jessica.  My friend, Audrey, passed away at 1:15 am.  I held the cell phone and just stared at the message.  Tears fell from my eyes, and my heart hurt.  My first thought was I should have visited… Continue reading Losing my Childhood Friend

Last week I wrote about being in denial when the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s start to show.  I know it is difficult to accept the changes in your loved one as signs of the disease start to show.  But, you can take action. You can start by contacting your local Senior Center and asking about… Continue reading Finding Resources