Category Archives: Holistic Care

Beyond Coping: Having a Great Life!

Pam LeBlanc writes on Austin360.com: Exercise helps patients cope with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Pam gives the example of John Duncan, a man with Alzheimer’s who enjoys life more with regular personal training than he did before personal training.  The personal training … Continue reading

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The Purpose of Life is Found in Caring

An editorial in The Florida Times-Union warns that the US is on a track to spend $40 trillion on Alzheimer’s care in the next 40 years.  Are there a solutions to this problem? Yes, there are solutions.  These require new … Continue reading

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Joy: The Antidote to Misery and Suffering

To pursue joy is not to whitewash the challenges and sadness of life. Sadness, fear, and challenges are very real experiences.  These experiences distract us from the joys of life and it is critical to the happiness of everyone to … Continue reading

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Joy: The Primary Focus of Care

I assert that love, joy, and companionship are the fundamental requirements of Alzheimer’s care.  Any other care that may be regulated and enforced to ensure physical health and safety should be delivered in the context of ensuring the presence of … Continue reading

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Hiring Friendship in a Care Home

Are you happy with all the caregivers at a facility where a loved one lives? The job descriptions of caregivers do not say “friend”.  So, don’t expect it.  Their performance is not evaluated on their friendship.  So, don’t expect it.  … Continue reading

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Friendship – the Vehicle of Joy

What can make the difference in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease? Friendship. When caregivers and those with Alzheimer’s are friends, they are watching out for each other.  A friend does not miss an upset and can enter your world … Continue reading

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Frail and Laughing

Carl’s time in his body is nearing completion.  His weight continues to drop from about 230 lbs. a year ago to about 170 lbs. today.  His body is bony.  He is stooped over when sitting and when standing or shuffling … Continue reading

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Sex, Addictions, and Enlightenment

I have an affinity for the female human form.  I experience it as appreciation, awe, desires, and urges.  I also experience it as complaints, sadness, and separation.  It’s not the female form that does all this to me.  It’s my … Continue reading

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Gratitude

Gratitude refreshes and gives life. Do you feel it? Gratitude scatters the shadow of loneliness with the light of recognition of the the contribution others are to who we are. And to be fair and complete, gratitude is the recognition of our importance to others, that they thought enough to give something we are grateful for. Continue reading

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The Glory of Friendship

Your friend is feeling down, so you visit to lift her spirits. You give your friend a gift and they are emotionally moved. You’re making a difference in each others’ lives. Continue reading

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