Over the span of two decades, author, columnist, consultant and speaker Carol Bradley Bursack cared for a neighbor and six elderly family members. Her experiences inspired her to pen "Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories," a portable support group book for caregivers.

Answers

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Does anyone know about tangles on the back of the brain?


You are right to be concerned. Plaques and tangles are generally thought to be a sign of Alzheimer's disease. PET scans can see how the... see more

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My mother and I care for my father with Parkinson's & Dementia. Where can we find respite resources in Atlanta...


I'd go to the Georgia state website and type "aging" in the search box. From there you can find the Georgia version of the... see more

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My husband's Alzheimer's Disease seems to have changed and he is sleeping most of the time. Is this a sign of...


It could be. People can get very passive and seem "not there," and sleep during the last stages. However, you should check with... see more

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My dad suffers from dementia. Sometimes he will urinate anywhere in the house except the bathroom. How can I s...


I wish I could give you a magic answer, but I can't. He gets confused, knows he needs to go to the bathroom, but "forgets"... see more

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How do you explain to an elder with dementia that someone has passed away?


You may want to read this article https://www.agingcare.com/133806/ Explaining death to someone with dementia is difficult, and then they... see more

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My father is engaged to a woman who has tried to give him an ultimatum to choose between her or our family. We...


This does sound like a scam. I'd see an elder law attorney to see what action you can take. Your father will fight you. When elders... see more

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I paid someone to watch mom so I could volunteer, meet other women and get some respite, but the other women w...


I'm so sorry you ran into this. I'm generally understanding of people's faults, but this sounds absolutely juvenile. If it... see more

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How do I encourage a dementia resident to eat?


There's a difference between encouragement and forcing. I gather you want to gently encourage. I'd suggest finding out what this... see more

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My 95 year old father in law has a yeast infection, any ideas on how to get rid of it?


I haven't had experience with cloth diapers for decades, but I do remember that I kept a diaper pail with strong bleach water in the... see more

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My wife suffers from MDS, dementia, and shortness of breath. Is there anything we can do about the shortness...


I'd ask to see a specialist or get a second opinion. There must be a reason, or at least some help out there to make it easier for her... see more

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How long does loss of appetite last after surgery?


This would be quite normal, I'd think, but you should check with the doctor. Introducing favorite foods, particularly light ones, is... see more

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How do I qualify for respite care for my husband who has had a stroke?


Try going to your state website. Type "aging" in the search box. That will bring you to local resources. Your state should have a... see more

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My father has been on a feeding tube for over 3 years now. Are there a limited number of years you can keep a...


That's a long time to be on a feeding tube. What is his quality of life? Can he communicate his wishes to you? Please talk with the... see more

Question

How many and what are the stages of Alzheimer's and dementia?


The Alzheimer's Association generally considers that there are seven stages of Alzheimer's. However, people don't go straight... see more

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I have a Durable POA, and my mom (who lives alone in a two story home behind me) has been in/out of hospital/p...


This is the second horror story I've heard from Florida in two days (I'm not picking on FL, but they both happen to have come from... see more

Question

Does reactive arthritis cause choking, congestion, mental confusion, and hyperactivity?


I'd have these sypmtoms checked further. It's a stretch to blame the arthrtis for all of them, especially the hyperactivity. A... see more

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I have a friend whose mother is mid-stage Alzheimer and she is constantly stuffing her dog with food. Is there...


She obviously thinks this is the thing to do. I don't know what your really can do about it, except hope that the dog will quit eating... see more

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The doctors took my mom off Haldol and out her on Zypreza. Does anyone know about this drug?


I have an interest in this as my dad was given Haldol - an atypical antipsychotic - after brain surgery and it made him horribly paranoid.... see more

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Dad is 93, lives alone independently, and insists he's a competent driver. Even if he is OK, should we let hi...


Some 93-year-olds can drive okay. If his doctor agrees he's competent, short distances should be okay. But you may want to check with... see more

Question

Can a sibling get paid to take care of a parent with dementia?


If the family agrees, there could be arrangements made to pay an adult child for the care. It should be something on paper, probably... see more

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