Talking about Alzheimer's with a friend

Written By Judy King

So here you are finally you have a lunch time you can enjoy with a good friend. You’ve been caring for your loved one Living with dementia for some time now. Your siblings haven’t offered to help at all. You are doing all you can do for yourself to stay sane. You are overwhelmed with the physical and mental work it takes to care for a person Living with dementia. The questions, the clothes changes, the messes, the anger issues, the food issues….I mean we could go on right. Sorry I digress…..you are having lunch with a good friend and the conversation turns to what you are going through. You explain your days and how you just don’t know how much longer you can go on and you are considering a Memory Care Facility for your loved one.

With shock and dismay, you listen to your friend telling you how wrong you are and how could you possibly even think about putting them in one of “those places”. How do you respond to that?

First take a breath, a very deep breath. Remind yourself that most people truly have no idea what is involved in caring for someone with brain change. Let them know you can understand how they may think that way. Then ask them what they know about the disease. You may not be surprised to hear they know very little or only what they hear on TV. Here is your opportunity to educate them and gain another understanding and empathic soul to your journey.

Share how it affects the Brain, by slowly killing parts of it at a time. It’s impossible to know what part of the brain it will affect daily. One day it may be speech, the next day walking and the next eating. You never know and every day for you is a struggle to just “get through it” sometimes.

Just this small amount of information is hopefully enough for you to engage your friend and gain support or at least have a “friendly” conversation.

I hope this helps. I appreciate and value your feedback.

Please email me any suggestions for topics you would like more information on or ideas you have for a “conversation”. info@livewithdementia.com

I offer Free consultation to discuss your options. Don’t wait contact me today!

Lets Talk
Judy King

Welcome to Arms of Grace Respite Care, llc. My name is Judy, and I am deeply passionate about supporting care partners who walk the challenging yet rewarding path of caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. With over 16 years as a business owner and a lifetime of varied experiences, I’ve cultivated a heart-centered approach to care that emphasizes compassion, understanding, and empowerment.

My journey has been shaped by firsthand experience with conditions such as Parkinson’s, primary progressive multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s, and common geriatric issues.

To better serve care partners, I pursued CNA training and furthered my education through Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care, which provides invaluable insights into brain changes in those living with Alzheimer’s. I remain committed to staying informed, reading current research on Alzheimer’s disease weekly, and volunteering at an assisted living community I previously worked at. I provide a Chair exercise program that promotes Neuroplasticity. It is named Ageless Grace(timeless fitness for the body and brain).

Beyond my professional life, I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and someone who finds joy in the outdoors, crafting, and helping others. I am here to guide you with compassion and practical tools to navigate the complexities of caregiving. Together, we can ensure that you and your loved one feel supported every step of the way.

https://livewithdementia.com
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