Deborah Leader, RN, BSN, PH - June 29, 2009
Many years ago, when my grandmother was driving my brother and sister home from school, she ran smack-dab into (and through) our local 7-Eleven. In attempt to back out of her parking space, she pushed down on the gas pedal. The only problem was that the car was not in reverse! Luckily, the only thing that sustained eternal damage was my grandmother’s pride. As the years rolled by, my grandpa died and my grandma maintained her independence through her driver’s license. At 89 years old, they took it away from her and she was never quite the same. (more…)
Tweet This Post
Deborah Leader, RN, BSN, PH - June 15, 2009
When my grandmother was alive, her greatest fear was entering a nursing home and never leaving. Sadly enough, like a self-fulfilling prophecy, that is exactly what happened. She was admitted to the hospital for Cellulitis, then discharged to assisted living. After being there for only a day, it was clear to the staff she had been placed inappropriately. She was soon carted off to a nursing home. My sweet, little grandma was so strong, she almost refused to die by hanging on for months. Finally, with one blink of her ocean blue eyes, on April 24, 2004, she drew her last breath. (more…)
Tweet This Post
Ruth E. Price - June 11, 2009
Bathing is an intimate activity which can cause difficulty for many caregivers and their loved ones as in this case example. A woman who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease becomes agitated and starts to strike at her husband when he tries to help her take a shower. The husband is ashamed and saddened that his wife has become abusive. During fifty years of marriage their relationship has had few sharp words and physical violence has never been present. The husband hesitates to tell his wife’s doctor, believing he is somehow at fault. (more…)
Tweet This Post
Deborah Leader, RN, BSN, PH - June 1, 2009
Have you ever poured your heart out to someone only to have them respond by turning the conversation right back to themselves? Nothing is more frustrating! Part of developing good communication skills is to learn that sometimes the best advice is no advice at all, and that all most of us really want is for someone to listen to us. This not only applies to family and friends but when caring for patients, as well. (more…)
Tweet This Post
Deborah Leader, RN, BSN, PH - May 20, 2009
There is nothing more frustrating that putting something in a “safe” place, and then forgetting where you put it! But, forgetting where we put things or the directions to someone’s house that we have been to a hundred times before may be something far more serious than simple forgetfulness. They may be early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. According to WebMD, symptoms include problems with memory, judgment and thinking, which may interfere with the ability to work or handle day-to-day activities. (more…)
Tweet This Post
Deborah Leader, RN, BSN, PH - May 19, 2009
Remember when you were in your 20’s and the only things that mattered to you were dating and discos? As we age, our interests change, (thank goodness), as do the set of problems that accompany them. That said, life as we get older is not devoid of specific issues, especially for the senior citizen. (more…)
Tweet This Post
