rachaelwonderlin

My Mother has dementia as well as high blood pressure. She is on medication for the blood pressure, but often has blood pressure spikes. Recently, it spiked to 214/82 and required her to go to the ER. Does a spike like this, or even less severe spikes, cause dementia symptoms to become worse temporarily or even permanently?

Definitely, yes. Anything that causes pressure on the body causes pressure on the brain and therefore on the mind, so you’re going to see exacerbated dementia symptoms.

Let’s talk about Memorable Pets! I love this company and what they offer. The how, when, why, what of introducing stuffed animals and baby dolls.

Hi, love the blog, it’s very humanizing and insightful. Do you have any advice on how to deal with a relative who gets really angry at caregivers? She yells, and I think even tries to fire them. I’m afraid I’m a little out of the loop so I don’t know exactly what about them makes her so angry, but any general advice you may have would be really helpful.

Thank you! I feel like I’d need to know more about this situation, but usually anger like this comes from a feeling and fear of lack of control. She probably feels like she’s not in control of any aspect of her life, so, as most people would do, she’s freaking out. Is there a wayContinue reading “Hi, love the blog, it’s very humanizing and insightful. Do you have any advice on how to deal with a relative who gets really angry at caregivers? She yells, and I think even tries to fire them. I’m afraid I’m a little out of the loop so I don’t know exactly what about them makes her so angry, but any general advice you may have would be really helpful.”

You’d better learn how to beg for forgiveness instead of asking for permission

So many family caregivers will say to me, “But mom/dad/aunt/brother/spouse will not let me…” Take the car Move them into a care community Pay the bills for them Take over the healthcare Power of Attorney Send caregivers to the house Do the grocery shopping Make any decisions for them Bring them to the doctor WhatContinue reading “You’d better learn how to beg for forgiveness instead of asking for permission”

Andrea Flack-Wetherald is in the studio with me today and we’re talking about dementia caregiving and health for YOU, the care partner. You don’t need to choose between your health and their health, and we’ll show you why. This episode is sponsored by Ro & Steve, a senior living and care review site! AND: ClickContinue reading

The question I’m asked MOST OFTEN on phone calls! You can find out how to call me here.

Tune in to episode 3 of my podcast here or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Do people living with schizophrenia have an increased risk of getting dementia? How big of an impact does depression have on dementia, and vice-versa? What is trauma-informed care? This episode sponsored by Pure Vita Co., a medical supply company: www.purevitaco.comContinue reading

How to call someone who isn’t alive anymore

This post is inspired by a question I received the other day on my Facebook page about my podcast. (So many mediums to find me!) Anyway, this reader asked about her mother, who constantly wants to visit and call her own parents. My reader is distraught by how frustrated her mother is—“Why don’t they everContinue reading “How to call someone who isn’t alive anymore”

Listen to the second episode of my podcast by clicking above (give it a second, it may take a moment to start) or click here to check out the entire page! You can also see it in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. They teach WHAT in nursing school?! is brought toContinue reading

(1/?) How do I get my mom to stop being emotionally invested in my abusive, demented grandmother? Please don’t misunderstand—I know fully well that dementia is a disease, and that my grandmother isn’t trying to be abusive. But it’s completely ruining the lives of everyone in our household. I’m afraid that it will kill my mom. My mom has plenty of problems of her own—a high-stress job, being the main provider of the family, recovering from alcoholism, a history of mental illness, and a myriad of

Hi, I saw the rest of your question, but will just publish this first part for other readers. Yes. She needs emotional help. I recommend therapy, a support group, reading my book, the journal I just made, literally anything for her education. This isn’t really about dementia, it’s about your mom’s mental health.