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Inside the mind of Alzheimer's

Dementia
On the Dementia Trail: My Life in an Uber

Greg O'Brien on July 27, 2024

Personal Perspective: Sundowning can cause various behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, aggression, or ignoring directions. It can also lead to pacing or wandering.

Personal Perspective: Sundowning can cause various behaviors, such as confusion, anxiety, aggression, or ignoring directions. It can also lead to pacing or wandering.

Dementia
My Dance With Alzheimer’s

Greg O'Brien on June 1, 2024

Personal Perspective: It's OK not to be perfect, especially with Alzheimer's disease. There’s no guilt here; in fact, there’s inner strength.

Personal Perspective: It's OK not to be perfect, especially with Alzheimer's disease. There’s no guilt here; in fact, there’s inner strength.

Laughter
An Anecdote for Alzheimer’s and Depression

Greg O'Brien on April 27, 2024

For me, laughter has made all the difference in lifting my faith and hope while the brightest minds in the world are racing for a cure for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

For me, laughter has made all the difference in lifting my faith and hope while the brightest minds in the world are racing for a cure for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Depression
Try This Method When Facing Depression During the Holidays

Greg O'Brien on December 22, 2023

Depression is not a mood swing, a lack of coping skills, character flaws, or simply a sucky day, a month, or a year. It's a horrific, often deadly, disease.

Depression is not a mood swing, a lack of coping skills, character flaws, or simply a sucky day, a month, or a year. It's a horrific, often deadly, disease.

Aging
The Bucket List and the Promises I Make Today

Greg O'Brien on June 24, 2023

A Personal Perspective: I was forced, like others, to take a road not commonly traveled, and it has made all the difference for me.

A Personal Perspective: I was forced, like others, to take a road not commonly traveled, and it has made all the difference for me.

Denial
Chris Herren: Turning the Tables on Denial

Greg O'Brien on May 18, 2023

Herren was raised in a troubled family. The Herren family was good at deflecting and athletic prowess. Yet addiction prowled.

Herren was raised in a troubled family. The Herren family was good at deflecting and athletic prowess. Yet addiction prowled.

Deception
Facing Mortality With Dignity and Grace

Greg O'Brien on November 24, 2022

Paul’s final blessing to others came in a soul-searching email exchange with his brother Pete, who asked a question that only Paul could answer.

Paul’s final blessing to others came in a soul-searching email exchange with his brother Pete, who asked a question that only Paul could answer.

Grief
An Unthinkable Loss

Greg O'Brien on September 7, 2022

Personal Perspective: Several weeks ago, I became a member of an exclusive club that I never wanted to join: a parent who has lost a child.

Personal Perspective: Several weeks ago, I became a member of an exclusive club that I never wanted to join: a parent who has lost a child.

Humor
State of Mind: A Will to Persevere

Greg O'Brien on June 23, 2022

If we don’t ignore, delegate, resist, or panic over our dying, if we can appreciate that we are still living while dying, we have the opportunity to die with grace.

If we don’t ignore, delegate, resist, or panic over our dying, if we can appreciate that we are still living while dying, we have the opportunity to die with grace.

Intelligence
A Heart Is More Than Just a Ticker

Greg O'Brien on May 24, 2022

With all the hate, rancor and discrimination in life today, I’ve learned that the search for the heart and the soul is the beginning of wisdom.

With all the hate, rancor and discrimination in life today, I’ve learned that the search for the heart and the soul is the beginning of wisdom.

Dementia
How Music Can Mend Minds

Greg O'Brien on March 5, 2022

With Alzheimer's and other dementias, music and the creative arts can often keep one whole as they grip life.

With Alzheimer's and other dementias, music and the creative arts can often keep one whole as they grip life.

Grief
On Losing a Loved One: Something We All Share

Greg O'Brien on October 4, 2021

A Personal Perspective: “Heart failing, a few hours from her end, and she wants me to have her tomatoes. Selfless, loving, devoted, and an absolute legend.“

A Personal Perspective: “Heart failing, a few hours from her end, and she wants me to have her tomatoes. Selfless, loving, devoted, and an absolute legend.“

Humor
Putting a Pity Party in Its Place

Greg O'Brien on August 12, 2021

Many can get caught in the bear trap of self-pity at times. Yet, learning from the good examples of others can help.

Many can get caught in the bear trap of self-pity at times. Yet, learning from the good examples of others can help.

Memory
Separating Forgetfulness and Disease

Greg O'Brien on May 4, 2021

There’s a distinct difference between forgetting where you put your car keys – and not knowing what the keys are for.

There’s a distinct difference between forgetting where you put your car keys – and not knowing what the keys are for.