We hold this space for transforming thoughts. All are included here because the message is about the care of a person living with dementia. The messages speak to the monumental need for change in our approach to caring. From old narratives To new narratives. From impossible To what [...]
I found this poem among Mother’s papers following her death. Typed with her best Smith-Corona - on paper which is now yellowed, she had used her red ink pen from the classroom for her greeting and signature. The words entered in her handwriting were, “To My Loving Farmer Husband” and [...]
Why this helps: Reading aloud is different from poetry (Way #2). A short story—just a few pages—offers a narrative arc, characters, and a gentle plot. This can be more engaging for some people while still being low-pressure. Summer-themed stories about beaches, gardens, or family gatherings can spark seasonal memories. [...]
America's older adult population is set to experience massive growth in the coming years. Journalist and author Kelli María Korducki is exploring the imbalance and disproportionate financial, emotional, and professional burdens falling on women who care for their aging parents. Korducki joins Michel Martin to discuss the failures of America's [...]
"People with disabilities have the right to liberty, security, and freedom from cruel or degrading treatment." - The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) [...]
Neal K. Shah, a Johns Hopkins- and NIH-funded caregiving researcher and CEO of CareYaya, reveals how bipartisan support, groundbreaking surveys, and innovative policies are converging towards a future where caregiving becomes a covered, accessible service for all. He uncovers why the GUIDE Model - paying for dementia care navigation, [...]
Why this helps: Anticipation is a form of joy! Creating a visual list of simple, achievable summer pleasures gives your loved one something to look forward to. The list can include tiny things (eat a popsicle, sit in the shade) and slightly bigger ones (visit a relative, water the [...]
A tribute to my mother and grandmother The following vignette was written in 2024 when Goshen College invited alumni to contribute memories for an Oral History Project. I never submitted it, nor have I previously published it. But now, in May of 2026, I find myself returning to these memories [...]
Neal K. Shah left a $250 million hedge fund to fix a system that failed his own family. After caring for his grandfather through dementia and his wife through a multi-year cancer battle, he saw firsthand what 63 million family caregivers already know: the care system in America is completely [...]
"A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it with me when my memory fails." (Author unknown) Why this helps: For someone living with dementia, family connections can feel distant and abstract. A regular ritual of acknowledging birthdays—through song, a phone call, or simply speaking [...]
