No two individuals are alike.  Even twins have distinct personalities and behaviours that distinguish them from one another.  So then it would seem that no 2 brains are alike either.  Just because someone has a diagnosis on the Autism Spectrum does not mean that they are similar to those with the same diagnosis, and in fact, it does not mean that they are so different from all of us!  The brain in all of its variations also has many similarities which must be identified and celebrated among...

As I get older I often hear myself making interesting and new sounds as I stand up, sit down and roll over in bed – the creaks and pops are predictable music in my home.  Many individuals experience these chronic and on-going physical annoyances but are able to function without too many limitations.  However, there are so many others who have debilitating pain caused by injury, aging, or even disease.  Americans consume about 80% of the world’s pain pills – and obviously this can lead to...

When people ask me how I am, I’m not sure what they mean.  Are they just following social norms and niceties or are they really asking me about my overall well-being?  I actually think it’s more of a social reflex and I definitely don’t think they want to know about my emotional state.  But what does this really mean, how ARE we?  How can we measure our well-being and does it relate to our physical, emotional or spiritual self?   Who defines emotional wellness and is it a fluid and evolving...

How many times have you heard someone say, “I wouldn’t want to be kept alive if I were like that.”  Or, “Where is his quality of life?”  I hear this from families who are caring for someone with Dementia as they watch their loved one disengage from what they define as “life”.   But quality of life discussions are also present in situations in which someone is terminally ill or living with a chronic and painful illness.  So what is quality of life?  Who measures it?  What can we do to achieve...

Caregivers are selfless.  They continually push aside their own needs and emotions to devote all their energy and time to care for another.  “Care for the caregiver” is a common phrase used.  In all honesty, what caregiver has time to care for themselves?  Is this even realistic?  This week’s guest on Caregivers’ Circle, Eleanor Silverberg (http://www.eleanorsilverberg.com/), author of Keeping it Together, A Self-Development Guide for Family Caregivers discusses the importance of caregiver...

Animals bring us joy and delight with each tail wag and nose nuzzle.  They can also be used to help people heal from physical and emotional challenges.  There is research showing that individuals with varied difficulties such as Veteran’s with PTSD, seniors with Dementia, those at the end of their life, individuals with development disabilities and even those with literacy challenges can benefit from the unconditional love of animals.  Today’s guest, Dr. David Williams...

Through my own personal experience with anxiety, I have learned first-hand how the words we use change the way in which we evaluate, respond and react to a situation.  Joining me this week is Dr. Andrew Newberg (http://www.andrewnewberg.com/), author of Words can Change Your Brain: 12 Conversation Strategies to Build Trust, Resolve Conflict and Increase Intimacy.  In part 1 of the interview, Dr. Newberg discusses the basic physiological changes that happens with your brain through the use of...

Through my own personal experience with anxiety, I have learned first-hand how the words we use change the way in which we evaluate, respond and react to a situation.  Joining me this week is Dr. Andrew Newberg, author of Words can Change Your Brain: 12 Conversation Strategies to Build Trust, Resolve Conflict and Increase Intimacy.  In part 1 of the interview, Dr. Newberg discusses the basic physiological changes that happens with your brain through the use of positive and negative language...

Have you ever called an aging relative and had that gut feeling that something was “off?”  Or after a weekend visit over the holidays you notice how disorganized and dirty your aging relative’s home is?  Unfortunately, you know something is going on with your loved one but you live too far away to provide any support.  What do you do?  How do long distance caregivers find a way to help an aging relative from afar?  This week’s guest, Kathy Macaraeg, blogger at Caregiving Made Easy, discusses...

“I wish I could do more.  I feel so guilty that I find this so hard.  How can people say they appreciate or feel caregiving is rewarding when I hate it!”  Or how about, “I feel lost.  I don’t know where to turn?  What has my life become?”  Comments like these are not uncommon for caregivers AND many of us non-caregivers!  Caregiving is very challenging and can feel unrewarding and burdensome.  It can also come with heartache, trauma and grief. So how is it that some caregivers see their role...

HIV is a very complicated disease that many of us know nothing about.  It is not a common topic amongst caregiver communities and support groups on a larger scale.  But HIV is something that needs to make its way into mainstream caregiver conversations and policy considerations.  HIV is really a chronic disease and it is a relevant and important topic as those living with HIV are getting older and their symptoms and on-going needs can be complex.  What are the most common challenges for...

There are many times when I walk into a room and wonder what I had intended to do.  Some days I feel like I cannot put a thought together and wonder if my brain is getting old and tired.  I spend a lot of time and energy taking care of my physical health with exercise and eating well, but what about my brain?  Do I need to integrate cognitive exercises into my daily or weekly habits too?  I think this is a universal question for not only our parents, but for us as we age.  This week’s guest...

As I get older I often hear myself making interesting and new sounds as I stand up, sit down and roll over in bed – the creaks and pops are predictable music in my home.  Many individuals experience these chronic and on-going physical annoyances but are able to function without too many limitations.  However, there are so many others who have debilitating pain caused by injury, aging, or even disease.  Americans consume about 80% of the world’s pain pills – and obviously this can lead to...

How many times have you heard someone say, “I wouldn’t want to be kept alive if I were like that.”  Or, “Where is his quality of life?”  I hear this from families who are caring for someone with Dementia as they watch their loved one disengage from what they define as “life”.   But quality of life discussions are also present in situations in which someone is terminally ill or living with a chronic and painful illness.  So what is quality of life?  Who measures it?  What can we do to achieve...

It is no secret that caregivers are tapped out of physical and emotional energy.  In theory, caregivers know it’s healthy and necessary to take time for themselves but this is not always possible.  Transcendental meditation has been proven to reduce stress and improve overall health.  Today’s guest on Caregivers’ Circle, Bob Roth, Executive Director of the David Lynch Foundation will explain what transcendental meditation is, its proven benefits and how caregivers who have complex schedules...

We rely on health care providers to provide quality care and timely interventions.  We expect that providers know the right questions to ask in order to understand our personal health situation and to obtain the appropriate resources.  The reality is that many health care professionals are drowning in paperwork and case overload and cannot spend a sufficient amount of time getting to know us and our needs.  As consumers, we must take our health into our own hands and advocate for what we...

When you see a group of women hanging out with one another, you typically see hysterical laughing, silliness, and the occasional tears.  Women have a unique opportunity to improve and enhance the lives of other women as we age.  We can be confidants, mentors, cheerleaders and grief counselors.  But sometimes the media and others present unattainable standards about what aging is and create stereotypes so deep that despite our girlfriends our acceptance of aging is blocked by self-hatred. ...

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, there are more female caregivers than male caregivers.  In fact, 66% of caregivers are women.  Why are the caregiving responsibilities unequal across genders?  What are the expectations within genders as to who should do what?  This week’s guest, Nira Rittenberg, occupational therapist and co-author of Dementia – A Caregiver’s Guide and I will be discussing men, women and differences in perceived caregiving responsibilities as well as how to manage...

Caregivers are selfless.  They continually push aside their own needs and emotions to devote all their energy and time to care for another.  “Care for the caregiver” is a common phrase used.  In all honesty, what caregiver has time to care for themselves?  Is this even realistic?  This week’s guest on Caregivers’ Circle, Eleanor Silverberg (http://www.eleanorsilverberg.com/), author of Keeping it Together, A Self-Development Guide for Family Caregivers discusses the importance of caregiver...

We hear the terms Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body, etc. and wonder, what are the differences and does it really matter when someone we love has cognitive losses?  Understanding and diagnosing Dementia is a difficult task for doctors and often the diagnosis differs from physician to physician. Why is this?  How come it seems that we don’t really know much about the disease and its symptoms?  Today’s guest on Caregivers’ Circle, Dr. Jason Strauss MD will shed light on the diagnostic...

Animals bring us joy and delight with each tail wag and nose nuzzle.  They can also be used to help people heal from physical and emotional challenges.  There is research showing that individuals with varied difficulties such as Veteran’s with PTSD, seniors with Dementia, those at the end of their life, individuals with development disabilities and even those with literacy challenges can benefit from the unconditional love of animals.  Today’s guest, Dr. David Williams with Pet Partners...

Your aging mother FINALLY agreed to allow some help in her home so you set out on the task of finding the right person.  As you do your homework, you realize that home care is expensive and finding the right person or agency is not as simple as you thought.  You begin to wonder if home care is the right intervention at all! This week on Caregivers’ Circle, Ryan McEniff with Minute Women Home Care discusses the pro’s and con’s of using home care.  He also offers some tips of how to introduce...

We are all aging.  The demographics are shifting and resources are lacking to support our seniors.  For the LGBT community, resources, and particularly housing needs are virtually non-existent. Due to stigma, discrimination, family dynamics and other issues, this aging community is at risk of having limited support.  This week’s guest, Serena Worthington from SAGE discusses the complexity of this issue and the efforts being made to rectify it.  For more information visit their Facebook site. ...

If you misplace your keys what is your first thought?  If you walk into a room and forget what you were looking for what goes through your mind?  What about if you are driving to your friend’s house, a place you have been several times in the past, and you suddenly feel lost and despite looking around do not find any familiar landmarks?  Do you panic?  Do you think you have Alzheimer’s disease? For most of us these brief lapses in memory are not signs of Alzheimer’s disease and we do not need...

Caregivers give it their all, physically, emotionally and financially.  What they often miss is time for themselves, a few hours of shut eye and some companionship.  Many caregivers, due to geography, family dynamics, and work schedules can feel alone and isolated.  Other caregivers, due to their own perception of their situation whether it be guilt, embarrassment or shame, avoid contact with others intentionally. This week’s guest, Anne Tumlinson, founder of Daughter Hood discusses the many...