Great starts are easy, the goal is to finish well
There is a growing amount of evidence that music is able to reduce anxiety and revive fading memories hidden deep inside your loved one’s brain. But suppose neither you nor your loved one was ever really a music person? Is it possible to activate those memories by other means?
Even though singing is a wonderful trigger for awakening memories that are hard to rouse, other activities that hold significance to your loved one can also stir up dormant memories.
My phone rang one day while I was eating lunch. Grabbing my phone, I saw an unfamiliar number but decided to answer anyway. Turns out it was a sales call. Annoyed, I resumed my lunch. It suddenly occurred to me that I had read an article in a publication sponsored by the California Bar Foundation that addresses unwanted phone calls. It lists various places you can call or visit online to remove your name and contact info from call lists. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I hadn’t followed through yet.
The last couple of months have been a technical challenge for me. I noticed lately that my blog posts have had a precipitous drop in readership. Looking into it, I discovered something interesting. Five years ago, when I first began posting in my blog, it was perfectly fine to have my site URL begin with http://www… But recently, I learned that several browsers actually warn users that the website they are attempting to reach is not secure and may be malicious. Wow! Time to make a change.
Starting Friday, June 21st, the longest day of the year AND The Longest Day as celebrated in honor of those who have Alzheimer’s or other dementia or who have lost their lives to this always fatal disease, several AlzAuthors will be discounting their books so you will want to fill your shelves – virtual or otherwise – with several excellent sources of support.
As we move closer to the end of the year, take a moment to consider and celebrate the contribution of friends and family members who care for loved-ones – not by a pat on the back, but in concrete ways. Family Caregivers are certainly heroes, but not ‘Superhero’s (meaning they can go on endlessly and never tire).
The advent of smart phones allowed more integration between electronic devices such as computers and later, tablets. We achieved a level of communication that had previously been displayed on cartoons such as the ‘Jetsons’. Software that allowed us to both see and hear the person we were talking with blossomed.
If you think you might meet the requirements, you should apply today. Don’t let another day go by without receiving everything you or your spouse has earned by serving their country. If you don’t qualify, be sure to pass this information along to anyone you know who might.
Remember, you can’t do it all whether you are the caregiver or friend. Sometimes the best help may be a welcome visit that provides a temporary distraction.