by Dorian Martin
March 20th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
In the past month, I’ve noticed that Dad periodically struggles to complete sentences. He’ll start to voice a comment and then trail off, apparently having difficulty maintaining this train of thought. That’s not like Dad, who has always been sharp. So I’ve asked him to add this concern to the list of health issues he’ll address with his geriatrician during his appointment later today.
Needless to say, part of the reason Dad’s memory difficulty caught my attention is because of Mom’s Alzheimer’s disease, but Dad’s issues don’t seem the same as what she experienced. However, a new study from Harvard University’s School of Public Health makes me wonder whether Dad’s issues may be a warning sign of a potential stroke.
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Posted in Caregiving, Health | No Comments »
Tags: Caregiving | Health
by Dorian Martin
February 1st, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Last week, I was asked to interview an older gentleman who I didn’t know for a story I was writing. I called the gentleman and we had a pleasant but brief introductory conversation. We agreed that I would do the interview the following afternoon in person. At the end of the call, I could hear the gentleman talking to a woman who he identified as his daughter who had entered the house.
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Posted in Caregiving, Fraud | 3 Comments »
Tags: Caregiving | elder fraud
by Dorian Martin
January 31st, 2012 at 10:14 am
Mom’s placement in a nursing home due to her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Alzheimer’s disease had ripple effects throughout our family. One of the most difficult was Dad’s diagnosis with depression. It turns out he’s not alone getting this diagnosis. A new study out of Rutgers University found that 6.2 percent of whites, 4.2 percent of African Americans and 7.2 percent of Hispanics were diagnosed with depression.
However, treatment varied among groups. Of those who were diagnosed with depression, 73 percent of whites were treated with antidepressants, psychotherapy or both, while 60 percent of African Americans and 63.4 percent of Hispanics were treated.
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Posted in Caregiving | 1 Comment »
Tags: Caregiving | depression
by Dorian Martin
January 27th, 2012 at 10:49 am
One of my regular duties is picking up my dad’s prescriptions at the pharmacy. He’s on five different medications for issues ranging from high blood pressure to an enlarged prostate. Fortunately, his Medicare Part D insurance lowers the cost until the end of the year when the donut hole kicks in. That’s when my mouth drops at the price for his prescriptions.
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Posted in Caregiving, Medication | No Comments »
Tags: Caregiving | Medication
by Dorian Martin
January 10th, 2012 at 9:29 am
As a caregiver, you often feel like you have no control. I found that out quickly while caring for my mom, who had Alzheimer’s disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, I increasingly wanted to something, anything! So as we reach the time for making New Year’s resolutions, I’d encourage you to figure out you can do in 2012 to be proactive. My own efforts began when I decided to participate in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s in 2007. I’ve walked every year since and have raised almost $7,500 to support the association’s efforts.
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Posted in Alzheimer’s | No Comments »
Tags: Alzheimer's disease
