Magic Moments

Living as a carer for my husband, Dave with dementia (frontotemporal dementia) is a challenging and life changing experience. There have been times (too numerous to count) when I have wanted to hand the job over to someone else. This isn’t what I had planned for the years when our kids left home and we were still young enough to travel, hike and bike wherever. But this is what life is handing us and I finally figured out that I can’t fight it and I had better learn to accept it. This... 

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Finding Humour in Dementia

Living with dementia (my husband, Dave, has frontotemporal dementia) can be challenging, but at the same time a great teacher. The other day Dave and I are sitting under a giant ponderosa pine tree, enjoying the sights and sounds of the birds around our pond. Since Dave’s dementia affects his language skills, he doesn’t talk very much and when he does, he likes to start a conversation with a question; then more questions. This time he is asking me about our springer spaniels… ... 

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Living with Dementia: Organized Chaos

Organized chaos…it must look like my life is busy from the outside with balancing work, home, family, caring for my husband, Dave, with frontotemporal dementia, and fitting in ‘me’ time, but I found a secret for staying calm–most of the time. It is called exercise. Sometimes it is a bike ride, a run, Nordic hike, kayak or gardening. Whatever it is–without exception–I feel better afterwards. This morning was a good example… [Read The Full Article]  Read More →

‘Letting Go’ of Fear Eases Caregiving

When my husband, Dave was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) 3  1/2  years ago, I was terrified. I didn’t know how we were going to manage with a disease more dreaded than cancer. With cancer, there is hope of a cure or remission. With dementia there isn’t any.Bestselling author Byron Katie says…” there is no greater illusion than fear. It’s caused by believing what you think. It’s always a story of a future, projected from our past.” Living with... 

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Living with Dementia is Teaching me to Let Go of the Smaller Stuff

Hoarding and overeating are some of the features of Frontotemporal dementia. My husband, Dave, was diagnosed 3 years ago and so far they haven’t been too much of a problem. There is no denying that his sweet tooth has come alive with his dementia, but he shows remarkable discipline. After lunch and dinner he loves to eat 2 Dad’s chocolate chip cookies. Not 3 cookies–even if there are 3 left in the bag. I am sure I would not leave a lonely cookie in the bag when I can’t even leave frozen... 

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Care ‘Giver’ Learning to ‘Receive’

There are times when being a care giver for someone with dementia–or any serious illness—is exhausting and unpredictable. When my husband, Dave, was initially diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia, I searched everywhere for the magical book–10 Easy Ways to Live with Dementia. It not only didn’t exist, but there was little information on ‘how to’ deal with the many challenges that come up. It has been 3 years since our lives have changed dramatically. It took 2 years for me to... 

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Insights on frontotemporal dementia from Jill Bolte Taylor’s video-’Stroke of Insight’

The more I read about the brain, the more I realize that scientists are just scratching the surface of  its’ potential. In many ways it is comforting because it opens the door to possibilities for my husband, Dave, with Frontotemporal dementia. In fact, it opens up the real possibility that we don’t have to accept declining brain function and memory with aging. Last week I watched a great video on Ted.com called a ‘Stroke of Insight’  by Jill Bolte Taylor. She is a neuroanatomist... 

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