- With Mayo Clinic health education outreach coordinator
Angela Lunde
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Angela Lunde
Angela Lunde is a dementia education specialist in the education core of Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the Abigail Van Buren Alzheimer's Disease Research Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Angela Lunde
The transfer of information about dementias, as well as understanding the need for participation in clinical trials, is an essential component of the education core.
Angela is a member of the Alzheimer's Association board of directors and co-chair of the annual Minnesota Dementia Conference. She is a member of the Dementia Behavior Assessment and Response Team (D-BART), a multidisciplinary outreach service assisting professional and family caregivers in understanding and managing difficult behaviors often present in dementia. She facilitates several support groups, including Memory Club, an early-stage education and support series, and more recently, helped to develop and now deliver Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking (HABIT), a 10-day cognitive rehab and wellness program for people with mild cognitive impairment.
Angela takes a personal interest in understanding the complex changes that take place within relationships and among families when dementia is present. She is particularly interested in providing innovative and accessible ways for people with dementia and their families to receive information and participate in valuable programs that promote well-being.
"Amid a devastating disease, there are tools, therapies, programs and ways to cope, and it is vital that families are connected to these resources," she says.
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Alzheimer's blog
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May 29, 2008
Family members share coping strategies, experiences
By Angela Lunde
I have poured over each and every response to my last entry on dementia and family relationships. My heart goes out to each of you struggling right now.
Many of you wrote of the conflict, pain, sadness, and resentment occurring within your families. Thank you for your honesty and candor. I have to believe that many who read these words will find some comfort in knowing that they are not alone. I know you are doing the best you can with the situation you have been presented with.
Others of you wrote that you have come to a place of acceptance and peace on this journey and within your family relationships. Here are some of the ways a few of you have coped that I feel are worth repeating:
- "... we do what we can to help our father and mother while not keeping tabs on who's doing what or who's not doing their share."
- "I was finally able to get over my guilt of having to place him for his own safety and 24/7 care. I am now taking better care of myself."
- "I have found that having a therapist has helped me deal with my sadness while I try to be the best caregiver I can be."
- "You can't be bothered with what others will not do."
- "For me, my mom was my best friend, and I gladly took care of her. I loved her, and miss her to this day. Her Alzheimer's was the best of times, the worst of times. The toughest thing I ever did, but the most satisfying. Miss you, mom."
- "What about some respite help, some companion help? These are things, small things yes but would enable an outlet for a short time. And please joint a Support Group. Find someone to stay with your loved one so you can attend. You DO owe it to yourself."
On that note, I ran across a letter I received from a woman in my support group. She was a caregiver for her mother and experienced a strained family relationship. She wrote:
"Unless you have a loved one who suffers from some form of dementia, you will never know the suffering that transfers to the entire family and mostly to the caregivers. The suffering is life altering. However, the suffering is manageable when you find out you are not in this alone. Even though I could not keep my own family at peace, I became a part of another family — a wonderful, loving, compassionate, and supportive family. This family (my support group) gathers monthly to give each other the courage, strength and support to go on for another day. We learn how to break down difficult times to manageable moments. Right now, they are my closest family, we share an incredible bond."
31 comments posted
June 3, 2008 10:52 p.m.
The advtisements placed directly in the reading space of your article deletes the authenticity of the content of your topic. It makes me think that your are interested in promoting your pocketbooks more than giving life saving information to us, your supporters and readers. I am a longtime patient of Mayo, and doubt that I see this in print. but your have my opinion, nevertheless. Jan Burrow, Austin, Texas
- janburrow@austin.rr.com
June 3, 2008 8:59 p.m.
Something to be aware of. Statin drug side effects can include amnesia and muscle/joint pain that mimick alzheimer's and arthritis. For more info - Business Week, Jan 28, 08.
- Colby
June 3, 2008 6:11 p.m.
The comments from other caregivers are so true. Thank you for sharing them. My boss thinks that because he knows of someone with dementia that he knows everything about it. He could not be more mistaken. Once you've met one person with dementia, then you've met one person with dementia. It irks me that some people try to minimize mine and my loved one's suffering. It truly is the long goodbye.
- Robyn
May 31, 2008 11:40 p.m.
All the advice is good if you CAN find a support group for yourself and your spouse. My spouse has ARDS. Since November 2006,I have been his sole caregiver. He had a serious relapse and crashed last August and was in a coma again for 14 days and then back to the Rehabilitation routine. I have asked repeatedly if there were brain damage and have been told "It is too soon to know." Well, his depression, tempermental outbursts, and inability to cope with being on large amounts of oxygen permanently have put a severe strain on our relationship. I first noticed that something was missing when he came out of the first coma in November 06. It is getting worse each day because he is limited in mobility due to high oxygen use. 3-4 litres while sitting and 10 litres standing or walking due to decreased pulse oxygen. Is there a support group for ARDS in the Rocky Mountain Region? I have tried the COPD meetings and they have nothing of substance for his disability. Thank you. Bunny
- Bunny from Colorado
May 31, 2008 4:36 a.m.
Everyone says it is impossible to get my mom help. I have tried everything in Arizona (except Mayo's). I don't know if it is dementia. She won't leave the house very much. She needs medication. No one will help her. My heart is breaking, and breaking, to break again. The only light and grace have come from a few brave Angels who were compassionate, concerned, authentic, and daring. Only to them do I owe so much thanks.
- Alison
May 29, 2008 5:24 p.m.
I have been trying to talk my mom into going to a support group. I really think she would benefit but she keeps making excuses. I need to have a intervention intervention.
- Ann
31 comments posted