Author: mary.hulme@gmail.com

I recently had a client who would benefit from some structured activity a few days a week.  She was in her late 70’s and no longer drove; she was also suffering from bipolar disorder and, although able to live alone with help from her daughter (who lived nearby), she was not quite independent enough for… Continue reading Where Have All of the Adult Day Cares Gone?

Mom Is Suddenly an Alcoholic and a Thief! I first met the “Farris” family a number of years ago when they brought their 81 year old mother in for a neuropsychological evaluation.  While Mrs. Farris met with the doctor, the 3 adult children met with me in my office to describe the changes they had… Continue reading Mom Is Suddenly An Alcoholic and a Thief!

Honey, Please Stop Digging in Dumpsters! Karen’s husband, Tom, was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia soon after retiring at the age of 64.  What this means is that the “muzzle” that used to keep him from calling her sister-in-law “a fat pig” (to her face) has been removed…permanently.  He has told his lovely young neighbor… Continue reading Honey, Please Stop Digging in Dumpsters!

Get Me Off the Roof!  It’s Freezing!! It was 5:30 a.m.  on a cold January day when the phone began ringing…again.  It was my great aunt Jane who was dying of cancer and suffering from dementia.  This was her third phone call to me that morning – and each time I picked up the phone,… Continue reading Get Me Off the Roof! It’s Freezing!!