There are many challenges that you will face when you care for a loved one with dementia. It is one of the toughest things you can do. As the disease progresses, your loved one will go through changes, some of which are rather unpleasant. They will not remember things as before, and might develop feelings like paranoia, confusion and anxiety. Being there with them, supporting them during these trying times is perhaps the most useful thing you can do. That, and perhaps arranging live-in care service for them. 

Live-in allows old people, as well as those suffering from conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, to get the help they require at their own home. There is an experienced live-in care professional, who will attend to their needs. As you opt for this kind of service, you want to make sure the care provider is the right one for you and your loved one with dementia. And there are a few tips that can help you in that regard: 

• Experience is essential – getting a company because they offer live-in care service is one thing; getting a company with experienced caregivers, who know how to look after people with dementia is something completely different. Any caregiver who has worked with seniors with dementia knows how to approach the task and the specifics of it. They are aware that seniors with such conditions require special attention and care. They will do everything they can to reduce the potential of angry outbursts, episodes of confusion and discomfort for the person. They must also be on the constant lookout for distressing symptoms and stressors in the environment, which can trigger anger and confusion. Any caregiver, who has experience with such matters, will do a much better job of looking after a person with dementia than a caregiver who hasn’t done any of it. Getting an agency with such personnel is very important. 
  
  
• They need to be very patient and empathetic – people that have dementia do things differently, in many cases. They slow down, and process information in a more difficult manner. The caregiver needs to be able to get on the same level and show patience and understanding. They must know the unique situation the senior is in, due to their condition. As a caregiver, it is their duty to preserve the other’s dignity to the highest possible degree, all the while managing to serve them well. To do this, it takes understanding and compassion. 
  
  
• The caregiver needs to be flexible – dementia has no cure. There are only certain treatments that manage the symptoms. Because of this, the needs of a senior with dementia are going to change rapidly. At first, they may be able to address takes like dressing on their own, but at a later stage, they may not be able to. Because of it, a caregiver must be able to show flexibility and address the new needs as they arise. 
  
  
• They must be reliable – a caregiver must be someone, who is reliable on the job. They must always be alert if the person with dementia shows signs of an outburst or confusion. They must know how to diffuse the situation and do what is best for the current situation. They must not only possess the skills needed to look after a person with dementia but to be able to tap into those skills at a whim. 
  
  

These are the essential aspects of a live-in dementia caregiver. A person needs to possess all of them, for them to be eligible for the job. 

© Home Care Preferred

Seniors nowadays have access to services and technologies, which can make their lives longer and fuller in every way. As such, more of them prefer to age in the comfort of their own home, without having to move to a care facility. One of the things that makes this possible is home health care. It enables better independence by introducing caregivers, who visit the seniors in their own home according to a predetermined schedule. If you are currently considering home care for an elderly loved one, you need to better informed of the benefits that it provides: 

• Better personal hygiene – homebound seniors need to maintain proper hygienic care, but as time goes by, they may not be able to. Many of them encounter various difficulties, such as showering and bathing, which were once mundane tasks for them. If they avoid such activities, this could result in developing certain health issues, which is problematic. A home health care aide can be of much help to such individuals, assisting them with their personal hygiene needs. 
  
  
• Doing some light household chores – a clean and safe environment at home is essential for the wellbeing of any senior. That is why a home care service will see to it that the caregiver engages in some basic cleaning tasks, such as dusting, vacuuming and laundry. The caregiver is not a housekeeper, but they can help that. 
  
  
• Safety in the home – safety is no minor issue for seniors, especially if they have mobility issues. Home care service enables a well-trained caregiver to provide support and guarantee the safety of any senior within their own home. It is essential to communicate potential hazards with loved ones and find suitable ways to implement the necessary changes. Whether it involves clearing out clutter or adding more light to dark areas, home care providers can make some valid recommendations for improving the safety aspect. 
  
  
• Meal preparation and proper nutrition – the elderly commonly have the problem of not eating right, since they cannot prepare their meals well. They cannot acquire the products, they cannot cook them well and generally experience poor nutrition. With home care, that is not going to be an issue, since the caregiver can assist with supplying the products and the cooking process. That way the senior can get the nutritious food they require for better health. 
  
  
• Transportation needs – whether it is to see the doctor, or just get outside, seniors often feel limited by their ability to do things. With a home caregiver visiting frequently, they can more easily do that. The caregiver provides better access to transportation and can easily take the senior where they need to be. 
  
  
• Companionship – one very important aspect of home care lies with the companionship and socialisation that comes from having a caregiver visit the senior. It is not a secret a lot of elderly individuals isolate themselves, which can be problematic in many ways. Without socialising, they can develop depression and anxiety. A caregiver can be the person who provides this so important socialisation aspect in the life of the elderly. They can be the companion that seniors need, someone to talk to and discuss topics. This is crucial for emotional health and wellbeing. 
  
  

As you can see, the advantages of home health care are many and you will do well to consider them all. Instead of moving the senior to a care facility, they can easily stay at home and receive the care they need professionally. 

© Home Care Preferred

Caring for the Caregiver by Cheri Swalwell Book starts out with dedication page and other works by the author. I've read many of her books and have enjoyed them. Love the straight forward words of encouragement as you go through the bad times. We went through similar situation with my husband who had a heart attack. I'd go with him to the doctors and hand them the blood work results and write everything down in my 3 folders of information. Still go with him just to be sure we are on the right track. Like endings and tips at end of each section. So much of what we went through is described in detail here with solutions and suggestions. Love the parts about taking care of yourself or you'd not be able to take care of them or the children. Love this book the best because it spoke to me of how I take care of my spouse daily and when he's ill. We were just raised to do that and chip in where needed. When I heard the title I thought it would be about taking for an aging adult, glad I was wrong as we go through illnesses together throughout our lives. Scriptures are quoted when they are relevant to the subjects being discussed. Like explanations of the different types of fasting and what is involved. Love bible verses that are quoted at the end to help offer more encouragement. Author bio and contact information is provided.

Dream Lake Review (finally)

I was excited to read Alex’s story and I was not disappointed. Alex out of all the Nolans grabbed my heart and squeezed it, wouldn’t let it go. Alex has traits that make him my kryptonite. I adored him. He’s tortured and grumpy. He’s described as having a ruined beauty that women can’t resist, but he’s not a womanizer. While having a broken beau is nothing a woman should aspire to in life, broken heroes seem to appeal to me like no other. I loved seeing Alex’s damaged psyche be healed in a realistic way. Kleypas doesn’t take any shortcuts. She shows you all the dark spots on Alex’s soul, even his destructive, unhealthy relationship with his ex-wife, Darcy. While Zoe in herself doesn’t heal Alex, the functionality of their relationship is a sharp contrast to his failed marriage. While Darcy seemed to want to put Alex back on the rails with his drinking, Zoe wants Alex to be whole and healed, not for herself, but for him. When Alex and Zoe meet in Rainshadow Road, it felt like magic to me, and it turned out to be the case. Zoe and Alex are made for each other. Zoe is fairly well balanced. She does have some self-esteem issues due to her extreme beauty and voluptuous physique, and the trauma of being judged for it. To the extent that she marries a man who is gay because he doesn’t objectify her. While Alex is obviously completely blown away by Zoe, he doesn’t treat her like a sex object, and in actuality, tries to push her away because he knows he’s damaged goods. However, the connection between them cannot be ignored. I ate up their falling in love. Enjoyed every scene they had together. Zoe’s major issue is the failing health of her grandmother. Her grandmother has a form of dementia that escalates rapidly, and Zoe takes on the role as caregiver. Alex takes on the job of remodeling the cottage that Zoe’s cousin Justine lets her live in with her grandmother. Their proximity is an excellent opportunity for the powerful emotions between them to blossom. And in seeing each other under their worst situations, they realize that love isn’t about perfection but about loving perfectly.

Kleypas was going for a magical realism theme with this series, and this book reminded me of “Like Water for Chocolate” or “Simply Irresistible” with some “Ghost” thrown in. Zoe’s cooking seems to have healing properties, although I don’t think there was really any magic in it. It was merely a case of the fact that her food was what sustained Alex and tempted him to eat when he was at the lowest point in his alcoholism. The ghost angle comes in with the spirit that attaches himself to Alex, a spirit that lives in the house that Alex’s brother Sam owns and that Alex has taken on restoring. Alex seems driven to restore the house, and the spirit becomes attached to Alex in the process. It’s hate at first sight. The spirit can’t stand Alex, who comes off as a complete misanthrope if not nihilist. It’s Alex’s hero’s journey to heal spiritually and to rid himself of the dark cloud that has surrounded him since his traumatic childhood, being victimized by two violent, unrestrained drunks. I don’t know what Kleypas’ spiritual beliefs are but she see doesn’t shy away from adding a spiritual component to this novel, that make sense in that we’re dealing with a ghost and a hero who is having a major existential crisis. The ghost often functions as Alex’s conscience and in some ways, much like the ghosts that visit Ebeneezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.” This is another book in which Kleypas obvious love of literature is showcased and lovingly inscribed into her writing.

This book is my favorite out of the series, and it earns a resounding five stars. I think that it captures the tone and the notes of a beautiful contemporary romance only as Kleypas could deliver. She uses language so beautifully, from the well-developed characters, to the intentional and spot on dialogue. While the ghost story didn’t really add to this book for me, it’s integral to the story, and it would definitely appeal to readers who like a little paranormal in their romance. Not as excited about Justine’s book, but at the same time, looking forward to reading it.

Oh, I guess I should mention the audiobook narration. It was good. Serviceable.

My dream cast:

Kelli Garner as Zoe

Nicholas Hoult as Alex

By:  Viola Shipman

ISBN: 1250105072

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: 3/21/2017

Format: Other

My Rating: 5 Stars

Master storyteller, Viola Shipman (Wade Rouse) returns following the heartwarming debut, The Charm Bracelet (2016) and nostalgic Christmas novella Christmas Angels with the latest love story— THE HOPE CHEST, poignant and beautifully crafted, a story of hope, faith, memories, second chances, life’s special moments and surprises.

Emotionally rich, heartbreaking, and yet inspiring and warm-spirited— Shipman once again demonstrates the impact of family, history, and friends. Life is precious. Life is a gift. Time. How do we choose to use it? A legacy to be continued through others. To be passed along. You can utilize what time you have, or lose it all in a blink of an eye.

Thought-provoking! One man may be losing his wife, but through her strength—he may discover a new family. From family heirlooms, nostalgia, grief, sadness, to inspiration and hope for the future.

“ . . . Hope is something you carry with you forever, not only this chest but also in your heart. So look inside it and inside yourself when you need hope the most, and it will guide you, and remind you of what was and what is to be. . . “

Set in idyllic and charming small town of Michigan, Don and Mattie Tice have had a happy life. They have been in love since they first met many years earlier. They promised one another, till death do us part. They are approaching their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Don wishes more than anything he could freeze time. Just a little longer.

They had their cottage at Hope Dunes. Their history. However, the house was big and now Don needed help with Mattie. They now required a caregiver. Mattie has ALS— for five years, and now they are forced to move to a smaller place. Are they really ready to give up a big part of their past? What about the future?

Mattie is multi-talented. She was a successful landscape designer, with many famous clients over the years. She was also a painter. Don was an executive at Herman Miller furniture, and they both love the beauty and importance that objects and plants hold in people’s homes and lives.

Now they are left with no children and only a faithful dog, Mabel. What will he do when his loving faithful wife passes on. How will he go on? He is clinging to every moment.

Enter Rose Hoffs, and her charming, "larger- than- life" daughter, Jeri. Rose lost her parents to cancer and her husband left years ago. A divorced single mom, her parents had left her their family home; however, she is struggling to make ends meet.

She needs full-time hours versus part time in order to survive without using all her savings and her inheritance, which was dwindling quickly. She needed to hang on to her family home. She was too young to have no help. She is excited to get an opportunity to work for this couple through the service, There’s No Place Like Home, the senior care group as a caregiver.

Little does she know how she and her daughter’s life will be enhanced by this wonderful caring couple, and the impact she and her daughter will have while based on this newfound relationship.

In the years following Mattie’s diagnosis, Don had been angry, with God and at every person so insinuated that his wife would one day be better off dead. However, Mattie made him aware his anger was misplaced. It was not all about him. She told him he was being selfish and wasting his strength and emotion over something he could not control. Time will march on. Life will continue.

. . . “We get one chance on this earth. One short little stop to get things right, and too few of us do. We focus on everything that is unimportant.”

Special keepsakes. A special hope chest for a special history. Everything has a story. Each of the heirlooms in the hope chest teaches something about one’s self. Past, present, future. Living lessons. A hope chest once filled with hope and now there is none.

From a cedar chest, scents, fragrances of the past. Filled with memories such as scrapbooks, heirlooms, family pictures, teddy bears, family bibles, special mementos, rag dolls, aprons, dishes, jewelry—precious items to be passed along to a family. Connecting the past with the future. Filled with love, hopes, and dreams.

“Hope is only one short letter from home.

H is for Hope Now and for always.
O is for the Overwhelming love I have for you.
P is for the Practical items that will make your house a home.
E is for the Eternal memories this chest will provide every time you open it up.

You are my hope, and my home, in this world, My daughter, my love. . . ”

Beautifully written, I bookmarked so many passages. Shipman has a way with words and vivid descriptions—predict he will be the next Nicholas Sparks! Loved everything about this charming story! Readers will fall in love with the characters, as well as the comforting words to those who have recently lost loved ones or those left behind trying to make sense of their loss. You will smile and cry at the same time. No chance encounters. An ideal book for book clubs and further discussions.

Another element which was nicely done— the way Shipman used the different timelines. Often an author will spend more time with the secondary story than the main one. I liked the fact, Don and Mattie's touching and the timeless story took center stage, as well as their background history. Rose’s life intersected perfectly, without taking away from the couple's journey.

For fans of Nicholas Sparks, Fredrik Backman, Debbie Macomber, Joanne Demaio, Sally Hepworth, Zoe Fishman, and Charles Martin.

Highly Recommend!

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an early reading copy.

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