by Larea Mcqueen | Caregiving, Safety
Dementia bathing problems can be confusing and stressful for caregivers. A person who once showered independently may suddenly refuse to bathe, insist they already took a bath, become frightened by the water, or get angry when someone tries to help. What looks like...
by Larea Mcqueen | Safety
You walk into the room and find your loved one lying on the floor. Your heart drops. Your mind races. Are they hurt? Should you move them? Do you call 911? What do you do first? Few moments are more frightening for a dementia caregiver than finding a loved one after a...
by Larea Mcqueen | Caregiving, Medical/health, Safety
Most people don’t realize how common choking and aspiration can become as dementia progresses… Until it happens. Eating and drinking are things we don’t usually think twice about. But in dementia, the brain changes can begin to affect how a person chews, swallows, and...
by Larea Mcqueen | Safety
When most people think about Alzheimer’s or dementia, they picture memory loss or confusion. But there’s something we don’t talk about enough—how vulnerable people with dementia can be to violence, abuse, and exploitation. Their condition doesn’t just affect their...
by Larea Mcqueen | Safety
Wandering is one of the most frightening things caregivers face when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. It can happen in a heartbeat, even if it has never happened before. This past week, I talked with two different families whose...
by Larea Mcqueen | Safety
Hoarding is a common yet often overlooked challenge in dementia care. As the disease progresses, many individuals with dementia may begin to collect, store, or hold onto items in ways that can overwhelm their caregivers. Understanding why this behavior occurs and...
by Larea Mcqueen | Safety
As a caregiver, protecting your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia goes far beyond managing daily routines. Extreme weather conditions — whether scorching summer heat or freezing winter cold — create serious and often overlooked risks for people living with...
by Larea Mcqueen | Safety
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be both rewarding and challenging, especially when aggressive behaviors arise. For many caregivers, the sudden outbursts of anger, frustration, or physical aggression can be frightening and difficult to...
by Larea Mcqueen | Safety
If your loved one has both dementia and diabetes, you already know how tricky it is to keep things balanced. Add insulin to the mix — and things can go from concerning to dangerous in a heartbeat. Managing diabetes takes clear thinking, memory, and routine — all...
