Untangling Caring for a Wife with Alzheimer's at Home with Richard Creighton
- S2021E27
- 1:00:29
- June 14th 2021
Richard Creighton began his blog, “Living with Alzheimer’s: A Real-Time Account of Dementia Caregiving,” the day his wife Kate was diagnosed in 2011. His goal was to keep a record of their experience for their children. He and Kate cared for family members together for 24 years, which included both his parents and his in-laws throughout various illnesses. Now he cares for her, deep into her dementia, at home with the assistance of paid caregivers.
Richard and Kate recently made a major life change, leaving their home of many years to start anew at a Continuing Care Retirement Community, where they can age in place. Richard made this decision to make life easier for himself and for Kate, and to make sure their children’s responsibilities for their care would be minimal. He wanted a plan for an easy transition to the last chapter of their lives.
In addition to his blog, which he writes under a pseudonym, Richard is also an AlzAuthors Associate, creating videos for our Dementia Caregiving During COVID video series.
In this episode we talk about making a residential move late in life, their traumatic bout with COVID-19, how he keeps himself active and busy while caring for his wife at home, and what he’s got in his “Caregiver Toolbox” that may also be helpful to other caregivers on the dementia journey.
Read Richard’s AlzAuthors post: https://alzauthors.com/2019/01/15/meet-blogger-richard-creighton-living-with-alzheimers/
Watch Richards’s Dementia Care During COVID videos: https://alzauthors.com/covid-19/
Start reading “Living with Alzheimer’s: A Real-Time Account of Dementia Caregiving” now! http://livingwithalzheimers.com/
Connect with Richard Creighton
Blog: http://livingwithalzheimers.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LivingWthAlz
About the Podcast
AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.
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AlzAuthors: Untangling Alzheimer's & Dementia
Welcome to the AlzAuthors podcast! We’re so glad you found us. We are the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer's and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Join us each week as one of our authors shares their dementia journey, revealing intimate details and painfully obtained knowledge to help others currently on this path. We hope our stories offer comfort and support as we strive to break the silence and stigma surrounding a dementia diagnosis. May one of our authors speak to your experience. For more info please visit https://alzauthors.com.
Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.
Meet Our Hosts
Marianne Sciucco is a registered nurse, dementia daughter, and author of the novel Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story, based on a couple she met through her work. It is a testament to the power of love in the face of this heart-wrenching disease. Marianne cared for hundreds of dementia patients over a 20+-year nursing career. She provided care to her stepfather during his dementia journey, and witnessed the painful decline of four beloved aunts to the disease. She's a founding member of AlzAuthors, sits on the Board, and is a director and manager. She can talk about AlzAuthors all day.
Christy Byrne Yates is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP), retired school psychologist, author, speaker and coach/consultant. Her book, Building a Legacy of Love: Thriving in the Sandwich Generation recounts her journey as a working mother of two who also managed the care of her parents, both of whom had some form of dementia. Combining her lived experience with her professional expertise in human development, wellness and a strengths based approach to finding solutions, Christy develops content, workshops and coaching to support Sandwiched families. She incorporates meditation, mindfulness and other evidence based mind/body practices into her work. She’s worked with care communities, financial professionals, estate planners and employers. Christy has a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and graduate credentials in both education and school psychology.
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AlzAuthors is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization totally reliant on donations to do what we do. The podcast is one way we provide knowledge, comfort, and support to busy caregivers desperate for information. Your generosity will help us to continue our mission to lift the silence and stigma that often accompanies a dementia diagnosis. Please consider making a donation. Thank you.