Beyond the Façade: The Realities of Alzheimer's Caregiving
Lost in Translation: Decoding the Wild World of Alzheimer's Communication
Sometimes, the words don't matter as much as the feeling behind them. "I want to go home" might really mean "I'm feeling scared or uncomfortable right now." Listen with your heart as much as your ears.
The Great Escape: Finding Freedom in Setting Boundaries (Without Feeling Like a Jerk)
Boundaries aren't one-size-fits-all. It's more like a buffet. Take what you need, leave what you don't. Maybe your boundary is "I need 30 minutes of alone time every day." Maybe it's "I will not answer calls after 9 PM unless it's an emergency." Your boundaries, your rules.
The Deafening Silence of Alzheimer's: Navigating the Loss of Emotional Connection with My Mom
It's a special kind of messed up, watching the person who has always been your biggest cheerleader, your fiercest protector, your unwavering source of love and support, slowly retreat into a shell of stoicism. The first time I noticed it, I thought maybe she was just having an off day. But as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, the pattern became impossible to ignore.
The Warning Signs I Missed: My Mom's Early Onset Alzheimer's Diagnosis
It’s a cruel joke, really. The signs of Early Onset Alzheimer’s can be so easily mistaken for normal aging.
I Can't Do This Alone: Why Every Caregiver Needs a Freakin’ Village
When you're an Alzheimer's caregiver, especially for someone with young onset Alzheimer's, it's easy to feel alone in your struggle. But the truth is, you don't have to do this on your own. In this raw and honest post, I share my journey of finding a support village through social media, and how connecting with others who truly understand the unique challenges of caregiving has been a game-changer. If you're feeling isolated and overwhelmed, this post is for you. Discover why every Alzheimer's caregiver needs a fucking village, and how to find yours.
To the Version of Me That Struggled on Mother's Day: Your Feelings Are Valid AF
Mother's Day. A holiday filled with flowers, brunches, and heartfelt cards for many. But for those of us navigating the choppy waters of Alzheimer's with our mom, it has become a day of confronting loss, lowered expectations, and lonely heartache.
Growing Up in Reverse: How Caring for My Mom Made Me a Better Adult
This is hard. It's messy and complicated and it will push you to your limits in ways you never imagined and may not want to admit. But it will also show you what you're made of. It will teach you lessons that you couldn't learn any other way. And it will give you a sense of purpose and meaning that goes beyond anything you ever thought possible.
Hindsight Healing: Making Peace with Mom's Diagnosis and My Own Expectations
When my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it was like my whole world tilted on its axis. Suddenly, all the little things that I'd brushed off or explained away over the years started to make a sick kind of sense. The forgotten birthdays, the repeated stories, the times she'd call me manic about things that were so small they shouldn’t typically have such an intense impact on people - it all clicked into place like some twisted puzzle I never wanted to solve.
I'm Not the Friend I Used to Be: How Caregiving Changed My Relationships
I'm not gonna lie; I've felt pretty isolated from my friends since my mom's diagnosis. It's hard to relate to their everyday drama and life experiences when I'm dealing with my mom forgetting who I am, trying to break out of my home, and yelling that her daughter is missing. And if I'm being brutally honest, sometimes I catch myself avoiding certain people because I'm straight-up jealous of their relationship with their mom.