Caring for Your Spouse: Overcoming Resentment

 October 16, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

An older adult who understands overcoming resentment while caring for your spouse holds her husband as they look out the window.

Married couples promise an undying love for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. When you first speak these words at the altar, it’s hard to imagine how it will feel to actually live them out. It may come as a surprise to you that anger, frustration, and resentment can go hand-in-hand with fulfilling your vows when caregiving for your spouse. (more…)


The Best Way to Navigate Conversation Loops in Dementia

 October 8, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

The adult child of a senior with dementia responds to conversation loops as they talk over coffee.

Anyone who’s listened to music on a record player knows that the needle doesn’t always track smoothly.  Sometimes a tiny piece of dust or debris causes it to skip or get stuck, leaving you hearing only a few words of the song over and over again until you address the problem. (more…)


Unexpected Symptoms of Dementia: The Impact on the 5 Senses

 September 21, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

A woman talks to an older adult about the symptoms of dementia outside at a dinner table.

One of the first symptoms of dementia people usually think of is a loss of memory. While memory loss is the primary impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, there are many other parts of life impacted as well. In fact, each of the five senses can be altered in a variety of ways that are important to understand. (more…)


Having Uncomfortable Care Conversations to Strengthen Family Relationships

 September 13, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

A mom and daughter stand in the kitchen having tough conversations to strengthen family relationships.

It’s easy to let other relationships take a back seat when you’re committed to caring for a senior loved one. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day, and you can only spread yourself so thin. This can lead to additional stress, hurt feelings, and misunderstandings. (more…)


Do You Know the Signs of a Senior With an Eating Disorder?

 August 21, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

An older adult leans on her counter with a plate of uneaten food in front of her, perhaps indicating a senior with an eating disorder.

It’s common for older adults to experience changes in their weight and diet. Dental problems, medication side effects, less physical activity as a result of mobility issues, and other factors should be explored and either addressed or ruled out. But there’s another explanation that you may not have considered: eating disorders in older adults. (more…)


How Do You Deal With Challenging Dementia Behaviors in Public?

 August 11, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

An older adult stands in the produce section of a grocery store, resting her arms on the shopping cart.

It’s hard to predict how someone with dementia will behave from moment to moment. The disease can transform a person’s mood, personality, and behaviors in the blink of an eye. When you’re at home providing care for a person with dementia, these changes can be hard enough to manage. But what happens when you’re at a restaurant, grocery store, or hair salon? (more…)


We Have Advice for Welcoming a New Caregiver Into the Home

 August 3, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

A senior welcoming a new caregiver into his home with a handshake.

It’s finally time for welcoming a new caregiver into Dad’s home! While this can be an exciting time, it can also bring feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. These feelings are typical and perfectly normal. A little advance planning and preparation for this important milestone will help ensure a comfortable and smooth transition for everyone. (more…)


How to Navigate Discussing Home Care Options With Your Parents

 July 19, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

The adult child of a senior and the senior parent sit on the couch discussing home care options.

Everyone remembers “the talk” with their parents. How could you forget? If you thought that was uncomfortable, brace yourself for “the talk” with an older parent about concerns you’re noticing and the need for care at home! Discussing home care options with your parents can be a tough conversation for many reasons: (more…)


How to Handle an Abrupt Worsening of Alzheimer’s Symptoms

 July 12, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

The adult child of a senior with Alzheimer’s places her hand on the senior’s shoulder reassuringly after noticing an abrupt worsening of Alzheimer’s symptoms.

It would be great if Alzheimer’s care came with a manual – a step-by-step guide on what to expect at each stage of the disease. While there are some general commonalities in the progression of dementia, each person’s experience is unique. So, it’s difficult to know what to prepare for on any given day. (more…)