MSI Press Blog

  Alzheimer’s doesn’t begin with forgetting. It begins with changing — often quietly, subtly, and long before anyone realizes what’s happening. That’s one of the hardest truths about this disease: its earliest chapters are written in whispers, not alarms. June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, and it’s a good time to step back from the stereotypes and look at what this disease actually is, how it unfolds, and what families can watch for without fear or denial. Alzheimer’s Is One Type of Dementia — Not All Dementia People often use the words interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Dementia is an umbrella term — a description of cognitive decline severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of that decline, responsible for 60–80% of cases. Understanding the distinction matters because: Not all dementias progress the same way. Not all dementias respond to the same treatments. Families make better decisions when they know what...

“My grace is enough for you, For in weakness power reaches perfection.” --St. Paul   I’m in the business of compassionate healing. As a psychologist, my patients come to me in emotional and mental pain. They feel broken and want to be whole. They want relief from their suffering--their depression, anxiety, tempers, compulsions, and disturbing obsessions. Coming to me, they ask me to witness their suffering and bring them relief. Two questions often haunt them: “Why is this happening to me? How can I fix it?” In their desperation, they look for answers from me, whom they consider “the expert.” Contrary to their expectations, I direct those questions back to themselves and assure them, “You have the answers, but don’t know it yet.” I invite them to pay close attention to their own experience, to listen to the subtle voices speaking within, and to engage in open and honest dialogue with themselves. For many, that is a new experience. These voices have been drowned out by the...

  It is very easy if you are taking care of your loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia to fall into a depression. This depression can put a major risk to your health, and if you are depressed you will not be a good caregiver for your loved one either. Check Your Mood Elevator Before sharing what you can do to reenergize your positivity and power, an important capability is knowing when you need to be uplifted.    There is a simple tool that can help immensely with this; it is called the “Mood Elevator”.   The “Mood Elevator” was created by Larry Senn, a leading consultant, and author in the field of Leadership.   Larry Senn created the “Mood Elevator” to help leaders know when they have the needed positive energy or “mood” to be effective and when they don’t.    The higher buttons on the Mood Elevator are states that include “being grateful”, “insightful” “creative”, “resourceful”, and “hopeful”.   If you do a gut or feeling...