Caregiving is one of the toughest jobs there is, especially when the patient is a loved one. How do you handle the physical, relational, and emotional changes? Read one woman’s honest journey through her mother’s toughest days and the secret to her survival.
Read moreCategory: Caregiving
Support for the Caregiver
by Joyann Dwire After Mom passed away, I became co-facilitator of my church’s caregiver support group and discovered that what I had endured with my mother was not unique. In fact, many participants were dealing with more hardships than I had. Often the stress of caregiving was compounded by a lack of support —…
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Present Loss, Future Hope
It happens in more and more families these days: a spouse’s forgetfulness, then increasing signs of memory loss. One woman cared for her husband as long as she could but had to stop after his dementia worsened. God made sure she was not alone.
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Diary of a Caregiver
In caring for her father and his illness, a woman experiences the daily burden of an adult parent — and God’s provisions to help her survive.
Read moreA Patch of Blue Sky
Finding light in mental darkness. by Ruth Schiffmann Some people are like a patch of blue sky every day. Their voices soothe secret hurts. Their smiles absorb harsh words. Their touch heals mortal wounds. Their souls are thick and can cushion the most force-felt blow. My mother was one of those people. She clung…
Read moreForget Me Not?
God’s help for wholeness. by Janice Hughes Mother stopped laughing and placed her bingo card on the table. “Who are you?” she asked as her eyes studied my face. I answered and waited for a glimmer of recognition from this woman who had given me life. There was none. In her soft, sweet voice,…
Read moreTonya’s Cup
Breaking through a young girl’s personal prison. by Penny Smith “C’mon, Tonya, just a few more bites,” I coaxed, trying to catch up to her mouth with the fork as she dodged from side to side. Eventually she reached out and guided the fork to her mouth while staring vacantly into space. At last…
Read moreMy Alzheimer’s Shadow: A Journey from Anger to Trust
by Patte Earley as told to Betty J. Johnson “I am so angry. I’m fifty-one years old and my husband, Bill, has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Where do I focus my anger?” I cried. “Are you mad at God?” Mary asked. “No, I’m not angry at God, because I don’t believe this…
Read moreNurturing a Blue Rose
“And a little child shall lead them.” by Tammy Vice as told to Linda Owen We were your ordinary family. My husband, Rudy, worked long, hard hours so we could take vacations. My daughter, Allison, enjoyed school and had a passion for horses. When I wasn’t being a mom, I was wrapped up in…
Read moreHow to Cope With Alzheimer’s Disease
Survival is possible by understandingthe disease and its victim. by LeAnn Campbell According to the National Alzheimer’s Association, approximately four million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and that number will increase to 14 million by the middle of the century unless researchers find a cure or prevention. The disease affects one in ten people over…
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