Care Giver

26/08/2025

On Dementia Map's Blog read "Optimize Video Use in Alzheimer’s Land" from Memory Lane TV. They offer five simple questions, assisting you with using videos efficiently when caring for loved ones with dementia.

Learn more about them on Dementia Map:
https://www.dementiamap.com/optimize-video-use-in-alzheimers-land/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

26/08/2025

26/08/2025

25/08/2025

When I see this pic it still after so many years shatters me... imagine what this man is thinking, going through.

For me it is grief for many a thing

SAFETY FIRST

My name is COLLEEN and I am a Carer.

Names: The Uber couple (names have been changed for this article)

I wrote an article this morning about the 'Uber Couple'. The apt name for what happened

The couple went out with Uber even though they needed a carer to attend. They forgot their appointments… with Dementia onset this forgetfulness is common

There are times when intervention is necessary but there are so many different perceptions on right and wrong - where to draw the line?

When the loved one forgets the Carer is coming and they go out with Uber that can maybe be overlooked the first time

But when it happens again in the same week then their safety is questionable and risk of trouble heightened

Before we go on please understand that it is an absolute necessity that communication between carers, clients (normally loved ones), and the elderly is kept open

It has opened up a true concern about where the line between independence is drawn vs 'taking away independence'

If a family member takes an Uber and they have ailments then surely there should be a way to protect them

Many times I have seen and heard of customers been taking advantage of by drivers of such organizations - where people didn't make it to their destinations and/or were accosted. Oh, how much more vulnerable would the vulnerable be if an answer or direction to protect them isn't found?

I think independence is really important and should not be 'taken away' and I don't, for one minute, think that concerned families want to have to keep an eye on every movement their loved one takes BUT there are times that it is absolutely necessary so what to do?

- Change your mindset from your loved ones losing their independence TO keeping them safe

- You deserve the peace of mind as well and trust me that they want the peace of mind - their place of safety

- knowing that you care enough to intervene

- Someone mentioned getting a Power of Attorney but a POW is really for legal business interventions etc and in honesty, I think that is taking away their independence in a very obvious way - it may tell them they have no control

- POPI ACT... I honestly am not sure that it would apply in the case of protecting your loved ones. For family to know a loved one is safe when taking trips overrides this. The POPI is there to protect the consumer but thus far I see no indication of what it says about this matter of fair and reasonable awareness of a loved ones whereabouts

Your experiences and thoughts would be appreciated but please no attacking etc

This is only to be considered where viable helpful info is provided

Col

Col

01/08/2024

It’s been a long time since I put up a message… I have learnt so much so let me share one…

SHE TALKS SOOOO MUCH

Who knows what stage her Alzheimers is in; it’s hard to say but the latest is that she doesn’t stop talking and I mean it!!! So it starts something like this:

• wake up and get out of bed old girl (her words)
• get dressed but first go to the loo (and everything, every process, every ‘release’ is spoken of - my words in brackets)
• now get dressed
• where are my slacks (she opens the cupboard doors)
• oh there they are but why have I got so many… never to worry (and this is repeated endlessly)
• take them off the hangers and onto the bed (she says - so from every item she wears it is verbalised and put onto the bed until she has it all) …

I am sure you can imagine - try it yourself

From every thought she thinks of she speaks of and repetition; repetition; repetition SO try it from every thought and EVERYTHING you need to do say it!

HER HUSBAND IS MOSTLY DEAF AND HE STRUGGLES TO HEAR HER… for this disability of hearing I am grateful

After a WHOLE day of this which I understand as a part of her disease I decided we should all go for a walk in the hope that the fresh air would calm her a bit…

It didn’t - she became angry because she was being taken out her comfort zone. I could see the fear and anxiety in her eyes but thank you Jesus (I mean that) her husband was in standby to encourage her) and she did walk the short walk from 1 pavement to the next and back for which she was praised and acknowledged

ANXIETY MAYBE TRANSITIONING? Who knows

I am of the belief that maybe all this chitchat is because she is transitioning into the next phase and maybe that it is her way of trying to hold onto the current phase she is in… who knows… there are no papers on the subject I can find

So yes a fear of losing what’s already lost and transitioning; panic because she doesn’t understand (neither do I) but as a carer I want to try and understand what’s happening - I don’t always get this right

And yet the chatting continued but in a far more calmer and encouraging way continues

CONCLUSION: don’t beat yourself up when you don’t get it right… it’s the hardest job because you nor her understand why or what’s happening - each person is different

Let her talk but be mindful that a change of settings may be necessary and may cause discomfort but encourage and take gentle control

FINALLY: I get this wrong everyday… being a carer but I connect with my patient in the best way I can and when I go home my question is always about what I could do better

I don’t always get the answer but the following day comes with me being mindful and her being forgetful and we start the day again

29/04/2024

TERMINAL LUCIDITY

training as a carer teaches the basics of caring. Everything thing else comes with practice, experience, exposure and mentoring. add to that diversity in caring in different sectors and types of patients

One aspect is TERMINAL LUCIDITY. Her name was August and to the surprise of her family she had a really great day. She seemed happy, talkative, she ate more than usually and laughed

At 96, frail and not normally this jolly it surprised the family.

The following morning when I arrived to clean and prepare her for the day she was breathing the 'death type of breath', mouth dry and open and within 15 min or so she was suddenly not there... it all stopped

Its called terminal lucidity and once experienced ... you wont forget

in memory of a feisty 96 year old lady... gone but not forgotten

I'm back with something I get asked about all the time! THE RALLY! What is it? What is Terminal Lucidity? Why do people experience it? What is that famous ra...

28/01/2024

I have a beautiful patient that is i stage 7 dementia

Its very hard having seen her deteriorating so fast

Driving home i fealt God saying appreciate every moment with her and grieve later...

Starting to grieve now is taking away positive thoughts and making great memories

I am so blessed to be apart of this journey with her

02/01/2024

Just a great article reminder on what we should know

Very easy read and well written

Sep 5, 2017 -

31/12/2023

https://youtu.be/Mn6PQoKyf34?si=K03AOnxAa-kqn1rA

Caregiver burnout is real and it hurts. Taking care of someone with Dementia is extremely hard. My mother was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's/Dementi...

31/12/2023

By now most of us would know of someone that has dementia so here are some ideas that may help

As a carer myself seeing these ideas will be helpful

https://www.lifecreativelyorganized.com/must-have-products-for-dementia-caregivers/

Care Giver Care Giver (likes and follows welcomed)

Here are the must-have products for dementia caregivers. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's or memory loss is very difficult. These items make it easier.

28/12/2023