Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia with Guest Helene Berger
The Journey of a Lifetime-Part TWO
Welcome to Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia (Foundation). This is Part TWO of a wonderfully inspiring episode of Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia (Foundation). We are with author and family caregiver for her husband with Alzheimer’s Disease, Helene Berger. I met Helene through Instagram-another social media success story! Love it or Leave it, Social Media has been wonderful to help us meet others who are interested in supporting those impacted by dementia. Our Instagram platform grows by over 150 followers a month. I reached out to Helene knowing she would have some wonderful words of wisdom for followers of Doggies for Dementia Foundation and our program Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia. I wasn’t wrong! Not only did we have a wonderful conversation, we formed a new friendship. I have no doubt that like minded and like-hearted people will find one another. This time, Instagram helped.
Caregiving is difficult. Is that a surprise? If no, perhaps you have yet to take the deep dive into family caregiving. Whether we care as a professional or as a family member, it takes focus and determination. It is difficult to be the one cared for also. I don’t know about you, but I know I wouldn’t like to lose my independence or memory and require the assistance of those I love. Dementia is long known as the “Long Goodbye” because it is a progressive disease. Most family caregivers have not planned on becoming a caregiver and are taken by surprise. They must learn a lot, search for resources, learn where to go and who to ask life changing questions, and often in a very short time. There are work schedules to adjust, supplies to be purchased and self care is a fleeting wish. Guilt and even shame can take over our thoughts. Today Helene and I talk about the guilt caregivers often experience and how she managed. There are as many beautiful parts to Part Two as there were in Part One.
It is the mission of Doggies for Dementia to make caregiving for those impacted by dementia easier. Our blogs and videos on YouTube are filled with advice, resources and guides for you on your caregiving journey. Today is no different!
Helene Berger’s book, Choosing Joy-Alzheimer’s: A Book of Joy is one you want to take a look at. It’s a love story, a book of devotion along with a good look at the challenges. It’s not your story because we are all unique and the person we care for are all different. What works for one will not work for all. There are however some important principles to help us all down the right path.
About Helene Berger, an inspirational woman with an honest and loving written tribute to her and her husband Ady’s Alzheimer’s journey
Do We Focus on the Fight or the Treasure the Journey?
Helene’s book, CHOOSING JOY is a book of hope. Many books about Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common form of dementia are truthful and can be tough to read. Families who find themselves as caregivers go through some high highs and some low lows. It’s not easy. We all know there are some silver linings in every story though. Helene’s husband, Ady died (not of Alzheimer’s Disease) and yet Helene’s book is about their love story and how she made sure to create a loving environment. Their relationship continued to grow closer.
Choosing Joy, Alzheimer’s: a Book of Hope has been described as follows: “This is a rare success story, the story of a woman who refused to surrender to the implications of her husband’s diagnosis, instead inspiring him to join her in making every moment they had together meaningful and precious.” Today we talk about the early days following diagnosis and what they did throughout their six year journey. She talks about how they lived and the wonders of Ady’s improvement! Yes, his condition improved. Caregivers of patients with any type of debilitating disease will find a wealth of information, ideas, and inspiration in CHOOSING JOY.
We Had So Much to Talk About, We Created TWO Parts!
Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia Welcomes Helene Berger-Part 2
What is Doggies for Dementia Foundation?
Doggies for Dementia is a 501c3 corporation with a mission to provide beautiful experiences and memories for those impacted by dementia using photography. We are also advocates with sights on raising awareness through education, so nobody has to experience the pain of stigma, isolation and loneliness. Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia is our YouTube program with interesting and informative interviews with experts from all realms including family members and professional caregivers. Be sure and follow us on our social media platforms. The links are at the bottom of this page. We post inspiration, guidance, support and sometimes just have fun.
About Family Caregiving
Family caregiving is something most of us didn’t prepare for and go into without full knowledge of everything we need to know. More and more people of all ages are becoming family caregivers for their ailing family members and caring for those with dementia has unique needs as well. There are many different (>400) types of dementia. How have we, the United States, done to take care of our elders and those with dementia? I’m pretty sure you know how I feel about this. I would love to hear any and all opinions, including other health care providers and families. Part of our mission is to raise awareness.
Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia supports families impacted by dementia including family caregivers. Even if you are not the direct caregiver for your loved one or they are in some form of long term care, you’ll want to know this information. The more we all know, the more compassionate and kind we can be. The stigma associated with dementia is BIG and our job is to learn more and do better.
We’re delighted to have our guest Helene Berger with Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia today. Be sure and take some notes. You’ll want to some reminders for those more challenging days. I love to tape a small piece of paper with inspiriting phrases on my bathroom mirror. It’s not a new idea, but it works. After so long, our surroundings become usual and go unnoticed. So when you get so used to it being there, change it up.
How to Contact Helene:
You can easily write a comment on our YouTube Video. Be sure and go to Smile.Amazon.com to order your copy of the book. Guess what? When you shop on Smile.Amazon.com and choose Doggies for Dementia Foundation as your favorite charity, Amazon donates a small percentage of your purchase to us. It costs you nothing, but makes a big difference for us. If you haven’t already, simply click HERE and choose us in the left side tab AmazonSmile. Each time you shop, instead of logging into amazon.com just use Smile.Amazon.cominstead. Your favorites, prime subscription…carries over. You can also reach out and follow Helene Berger on the following links.
Visit Helene at www.HeleneBerger.com.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/helenerberger/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChoosingJoyHBerger/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/HeleneRBerger