Sarah Jane is a freelance writer/researcher and part-time caregiver for her mother Eleanor* who has dementia and lives at a rest home nearby. Sarah and her mother spend Saturdays enjoying each other’s company, pottering about and having the occasional adventure. Sarah lives in New Zealand where she writes and speaks about dementia-related issues.

Articles

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Sarah Jane writes about the special weekly visits that she shares with her mother who suffers from dementia. Her goal is to connect individuals affected by...

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The repetition of Mum’s stories could make me crazy, but on good days I find ways to cope. The trick is to keep the conversation fresh. I amuse myself and...

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How do you protect a dementia patient’s identity when they struggle to remember their own family members, likes, dislikes, and milestones in life? Use...

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Once-familiar tasks can become difficult, frustrating, and even downright impossible for individuals with dementia. Sometimes gentle encouragement and...

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Most elders want to feel useful and do something to contribute to what is happening around them. Finding ways to utilize their strengths and incorporate...

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Trying to please someone with memory issues can seem like a losing battle. Many caregivers bend over backwards for their loved ones only to have their...

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Even though Mum’s childhood toy, Edward Bear, had been stored away for years, it turns out he is still able to provide her with the security and comfort she...

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As a loved one's dementia progresses, it can be extremely difficult for them to communicate with their caregiver and other family members. There are a...

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Visual cues help us all throughout our lives, whether we realize it or not. Utilizing these cues both inside and outside the home can improve a dementia...

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As the population ages and dementia becomes more prevalent, it is crucial for businesses to train their staff in dementia awareness and make small...

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Sometimes the smallest mishap can be extremely upsetting for a loved one with memory issues. An accident or misunderstanding can cause emotional...

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We all want to feel useful and have some sense of purpose. These desires do not change as we age, but waning abilities leave few options for our elderly...

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Caregivers are busy people by definition, whether they are working, married, and/or raising children. Sometimes we get in the mindset of trying to do it all...

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Mom desperately wants to feel better; to have some purpose in life. As her caregiver I was keen to help, but it can take a number of ideas and trials for a...


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A loved one develops dementia and begins to have difficulty with memories and crowds, but they still want to be a part of family life and celebrations. How...

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Both dementia patients and their caregivers experience an ever-changing roller coaster of emotions. The key is being able to appreciate the good times...

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