Category: Chronic Disease and Illness

 May 13, 2026 by Dean Bellefeuille

How do you know when living alone with dementia is still working…and when it’s not? (more…)

 March 2, 2026 by Dean Bellefeuille

There you are, pacing in the bustling hospital hallway, wondering how the noise, bright lights, and rush of activity are affecting the person you love. Now imagine how an experience like this affects someone with dementia! Dementia-related hospital challenges are common, and even a simple health issue can become confusing and exhausting for both of you. (more…)

 January 5, 2026 by Dean Bellefeuille

It’s amazing how clearly things make sense after a diagnosis. Suddenly, all those unusual moments you shrugged off snap into place. But before anyone has a name for what’s happening, it’s incredibly easy to overlook the signs of early Alzheimer’s or to attribute them to normal aging, fatigue, or an “off” day. After all, everyone forgets things sometimes, right? You’re trying to give someone you love the benefit of the doubt, and you don’t want to read too much into what you’re witnessing. (more…)

 December 10, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

When someone you love begins showing signs of forgetfulness, confusion, or changes in judgment, your mind instantly races to the hardest possibility: Is it Alzheimer’s? Until recently, the only way to know for sure was through expensive brain scans or invasive spinal tests, often after months of appointments, referrals, and waiting. (more…)

 November 19, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

The holidays are full of sparkle, but let’s be honest: the ornaments with the biggest shine aren’t the glittery ones from the store. They’re the ones with a story. The macaroni star held together by too much glue. The Popsicle-stick snowflake that somehow survived three decades. The ornament that’s just a picture of Uncle Joe’s dog wearing a Santa beard (and still makes everyone laugh every year). (more…)

 November 12, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

Dad shuffles a little when he walks, his steps uneven, his balance sometimes shaky. It’s all part and parcel of Parkinson’s disease. But research is revealing a surprising new tool that can help with Parkinson’s walking challenges. And it’s so simple, it can literally be used anywhere, any time. (more…)

 November 6, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

If you’ve ever tried getting someone with Alzheimer’s ready for a doctor’s appointment, you know it’s rarely as simple as “let’s go.” There are layers of stress: convincing them to put on a coat, handling confusion about why they’re leaving the house, navigating anxiety in the car, and then bracing for the unfamiliar chaos of waiting rooms and fluorescent lights. What should be a simple trip can feel like climbing a mountain. (more…)

 October 17, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

For many people, a headache is a passing nuisance. A glass of water, a Tylenol or two, or a short nap, and the ache fades into the background. But for someone living with COPD, a headache can feel heavier, more stubborn, and often tied to something deeper than a missed meal or a stressful day. (more…)

 August 6, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

Ask someone about their favorite sports memory, and chances are you’ll see their face light up. Maybe it was the thrill of being the star football player on the varsity team, the time they got to meet a legendary baseball hero, or their dad teaching them to shoot hoops in the driveway. If you’re using sports to connect with someone with dementia, these moments can feel surprisingly fresh—and can spark engagement in remarkable ways. (more…)

 July 21, 2025 by Dean Bellefeuille

Cancer often introduces itself in a thousand different ways. Sometimes it’s a dramatic entrance – an emergency room visit, a biopsy result, a word no one wanted to say out loud. Other times it’s a slow burn, a handful of symptoms that don’t quite add up until they suddenly do. But however it begins, one truth tends to follow closely behind: cancer doesn’t affect just one person. It affects everyone around them. And knowing what to expect as a cancer caregiver is paramount. (more…)