We recently returned from the Fearless Caregiver Forum in Louisville, held on December fifth, coincidently, the same day that a major winter storm blanketed the area with six inches of ice and snow. But to the bravehearted and fearless caregivers who trudged through the snow to join us, it was a great day. They asked questions of the panelists and answered many attendee questions themselves. We had plenty of laughing, crying, sharing and networking to go around. And the topics covered were wide ranging, from journaling to clinical trials to tips to get dad to stop driving and respite care.

Some interesting points:

One attendee suggested that people journal the fun and positive stuff as well as the serious aspects of caregiving 

One caregiver shared his creative solution to the how to stop his loved one from driving issue. His uncle wanted to buy a new car at 93, and realizing that his uncle was so cheap that he would never bring himself to purchase one, called his bluff and offered to take him car shopping. That ended that conversation. For another caregiver, getting the Drivers Bureau involved was her way to help get her dad off the road without taking the blame. 

We look forward to seeing you in Tampa on February 11th

P.S., we’ll be returning to Louisville closer to Mint Julep season. 

New doc. New meds. New test. New mom. 

I just got off the phone with a publishing colleague. He first called me in September, when his mom started to forget family member names and eventually even got lost driving home from the drugstore. He was concerned that his mom’s doctor was not taking her symptoms seriously (just aging). According to my friend, his mom thought the doctor was handsome and nice, so she liked and trusted him. I suggested that he visit the regional memory disorder center with his mom. Within weeks of the geriatrician in the memory disorder center getting a handle on the myriad of drugs that his mom had been taking, he reports that “She’s back to being my mother, her memory and judgment are sharp and clear as ever, and she loves the new doctor” A great example of a Fearless Caregiver.

Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com