Every year we honor our veterans and their sacrifices – including the sacrifices of military families – to provide peace and freedom for America. Veteran’s Day was established after the end of World War I – known as the “war to end all wars” –...
caregiving
November – National Hospice Month
Hospice is something many caregivers face at the end of their journey. It is in this “twilight time” that we realize how important end-of-life wishes are for our loved ones. During this stage you may also encounter palliative care – a transition before hospice care...
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month
June is National Elder Abuse Awareness Month. The dark side of caregiving is that our senior population is vulnerable to abuse – financial, physical, emotional. The abuse can come from strangers such as identify theft or fraudulent schemes, from the neglect of...
April 10 is National Sibling Day
April 10 is National Sibling Day. When it comes to caring for Mom and Dad, siblings can either form a strong care team or can be the cause of conflict. Understanding each sibling’s role and having the family caregiving conversation earlier rather than later can help...
Holly Robinson Peete – Shining Her Starring Spotlight on Autism/Parkinsons
As we commemorate National Parkinson’s Disease Awareness and National Autism Awareness this month, Sherri Snelling excerpts from her book, A Cast of Caregivers – Celebrity Stories to Help You Prepare to Care, her interview with Holly Robinson Peete. As a TV star,...
Music and Multiple Sclerosis – How the Show Goes On for the Osmonds
As we celebrate National Multiple Sclerosis Month, I was privileged to interview both Alan and David Osmond – father and son duo of the famous Osmond clan – about their inspirational story where both men are triumphing over this debilitating chronic illness. Following...
A Caregiving Fairy Tale: Sleeping Beauty
Sleep is at times elusive - especially if you are caregiving for a loved one. You either are burning the candle at both ends or you awaken several times throughout the night worried about a thousand tiny details. Either way, a lack of good, restorative sleep is not...
Seven Super Foods for Super Caregivers
March is National Nutrition Month and while it is sometimes hard for the average person to follow good nutritional guidelines, it is even harder if you are juggling your own healthy eating needs while caring for your loved one. A study by the National Alliance for...
Nancy Reagan’s Caregiving Legacy
The passing of former First Lady Nancy Reagan on Sunday had our CEO Sherri Snelling reflecting on her advocacy for family caregivers and especially for Alzheimer's research. Read Sherri's article that was published on PBS Next Avenue: Nancy Reagan’s Caregiving Legacy...
Glen Campbell’s Legacy: Music and Awareness of Alzheimer’s
I was thinking about the Grammy Awards just a couple of years ago when Glen Campbell took the stage after telling the world he had Alzheimer's disease. It was a powerful, moving moment. I have had the privilege of interviewing Kim Campbell and her daughter, Ashley,...
Music Can Soothe the Soul of Caregivers and Their Loved Ones
Where words fail, music speaks. – Hans Christian Andersen As the world watches the Grammy Awards tonight I was reminded of a story about one of my favorite authors whose first love was song. As a little girl I loved the fairy tales from Hans Christian Andersen, The...
Push Reset on Resolutions – Use Me Time Monday for Caregiver Wellness
The start of a New Year is the time we reflect on all the things we wanted to do or should have done yet didn’t get accomplished in the past year. Thus, we resolve to address these self-makeover wishes in the coming 12 months. “Coulda, shoulda, woulda” is the...