Merry Christmas

Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room

I Forgot My Mother Has Alzheimer's

In Alzheimer's World, Dotty is the person I always knew. Sure, her brain is sick. But, once I started treating Dotty like the person I always knew, she rewarded me by becoming kinder, gentler, and more cooperative.

By Bob DeMarco 
Alzheimer's Reading Room 

Learning How to Communicate
with Someone Suffering From Dementia

If you want to get some good insight into how I rewired my brain and became a more effective Alzheimer's caregiver I suggest you take the time to read these two article:Alzheimer's and the Wiring of My Brain, and Rewiring My Brain and Stepping into Alzheimer's World. 

I'm not sure when I actually started to forget that Dotty lives with Alzheimer's. 

Read the entire story here.

Alzheimer's Revelation, Live Your Life

I decided that Dotty and I would start doing the things that we enjoyed doing together.

By Bob DeMarco



If you don't see the podcast go here.

Alzheimer's Patient and Parrot Sing and Discuss Breakfast

Dotty is 95 years old and suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Harvey is a repeat parrot and right now is Dotty's best friend.

Harvey is also one of the 15 million Alzheimer's caregivers.

Dotty spends about two hours a day with Harvey. Harvey is very good at getting information out of Dotty. For example, she might tell him she has a "splitting headache". Most Alzheimer's patients are not very good at communicating this kind of information.

Enjoy the short video. Your comments and observations are always welcome here.

Alzheimer's, The Invisible Siblings, and Taking Control of Your Life

Abandonment of Alzheimer's caregivers is common. In surveys, more than 60 percent of caregivers say they need more help. Often this is code for -- please HELP me.

By Bob DeMarco

Alzheimer's Disease
The Front Row

First, thanks to Pamella Kelley for Alzheimer's and The Invisible Siblings. If you didn't read the article I suggest you do. Please read the comments under the article.

I first published this article on the Alzheimer's Reading Room in April, 2009 --Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the Forgotten? I received more than 100 direct emails on that article, and they continue to come in as caregivers continue to find the article via Google search.

The article brings out strong emotion. This may or may not surprise you. The emails often start with a Thank You. Caregivers are relieved to learn they are not alone, and that what is happening to them -- abandonment -- is happening to millions of others.