Joys and Sorrows

Support and Inspiration for Alzheimer’s

by Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle

Ten Important Things

"Off the top of your head, what are the ten most important things to remember if you're a care partner for someone with dementia?"

That question was just tossed at me during an interview. I reeled silently and replied: Read More

If you are a caregiver for someone with dementia or any serious illness, I am sure you've wondered how you are going to handle all the challenges and unknowns. I remember how helpful it was when a wise friend pointed out that I was living in a parallel process to my husband who had Alzheimer's. Read More

Compassion Is a Two Way Street

The following bit of wisdom is for anyone caring for someone with a challenging illness, not only Alzheimer's. Perhaps because this principle comes from another tradition, it came to me as a surprise. Read More

How to dance in the rain

New Year’s Greetings!

We need to share our inspiring stories. This one, recounted by a nurse, happened at a busy clinic at 8:30 one morning. An elderly gentleman in his 80’s arrived to have stitches removed from his hand and said he was in hurry because he had another appointment at 9 o’clock. Read More

Holiday Tips When a Family Member Has Alzheimer's

The holidays are a particularly tender time for families who have a loved one with dementia. Celebrations tend to be loaded with expectations, heightened feelings, and fixed ideas about "how we've always done it." Here are some suggestions for helping to make the holidays easier for everyone. Read More

Dealing with Overwhelm and How to Change Your Perspective

In the last two weeks, we've seen another explosion of information about the Alzheimer's crisis: lead articles in the New York Times, Time magazine's cover story last week, and Maria Shriver's initiative featured on Good Morning America. (Here is a link to Maria Shriver's blog about Alzheimer's: Maria Shriver blogs about Alzheimer's, and a to the Shriver Report.) Read More

Caregiving 101

Do you ever wonder to yourself, “how am I ever going to get through this?” When my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I certainly wondered that especially because my mother had also suffered through this illness. My passion about the subject led to writing my book and now this blog.

Olivia Hoblitzelle’s writing and teaching are inspired by more than thirty years of practice in psychology, Buddhist meditation, and the wisdom traditions.

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