Thanksgiving deserves the "Spotlight." 

It is a wonderful holiday, where people set aside the day to give thanks for family, friends, and the opportunity to show people that we care.

Thanksgiving is also the kick off point for the holiday season.  There are so many who have needs around us.  There is illness, fatigue related to caregiving, and the need we all have to be sensitive to what others are going through. 

What do you plan to do to be a light to another during this holiday season?  There are many organizations and opportunites to help others.  Please consider donating your resources or your time (or both) to be a gift to someone else.

Don't forget about our men and women who serve our Country!  They make sacrifices for us each and every day!  Sending a card is always appreciated, if funds are low.  Remember it's the thought that counts!

Some organizations that would benefit from your involvement are:

Adopt A Platoon:http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/, Toys For Tots: http://www.toysfortots.org, The Wounded Warrior Project: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org and many others. 

Look around you and decide what you can do for someone else during this season of gratitude.  You will never know how much light you can bring to someone when you open your heart and give the gift of time and love.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!  xo Sally

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease

Being a caregiver to a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease requires patience and awareness to maximize your results.

Dealing with a neurological diagnosis that has a progressive decline is frightening and sad. When you are caring for a loved one that clearly cannot “think” of what they wanted to say or do, is a challenge.

Retaining information is very hard. To make it easier on both of you, I would suggest that you consider doing the following:

1.  Get a small erasable white board and put it in a place that is easy to access. Placing it on the front of the refrigerator or on a table next to the patient’s chair, usually works well.

2.  Write out the date each day and add the appointments or plans for the day, to prevent the patient from asking you the same questions over and over.

Example: Let’s say that you are going to dinner at your friend’s home at 6 p.m.

To avoid the patient asking you what time dinner is, or where you are going again, the information is right there. Just direct them to the “answer board.”

Once the habit is developed, for the patient to go to the “answer board” to remind themselves what time the activities are, you will avoid getting so frustrated repeating yourself.

Develop as many predictable routines as possible. Keep clothing in the same locations.

If you are finding that dressing is becoming a challenge, because the patient cannot locate clothing consistently, place labels on the front of the drawers, to make to easier;

Small signs that say socks, undershirts, etc. are very helpful.

Start with these ideas and let me know what you are dealing with.  We can work together to figure out a way to manage the challenges you are having.

My message right now is start where you are. Go into the Free Forms section of the web site and take advantage of some of the forms there. Develop a plan with goals to improve your loved one’s situation.

Identify the problems you are struggling with and send me an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Let’s work on some of your problems and develop some solutions. I will be glad to focus on what you need me help you with! Just remember if you are dealing with it, so is someone else! Just let me know what you need! xo Sally

Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and difficult disease for the patient and family. Managing it can be complicated. The disease is not the same for everyone, and early diagnosis is very important.

The process of aging changes many of our functional skills. The chart below describes the difference that may be seen with a person developing Alzheimer’s Disease, versus the normal signs of aging.

Typical age-related memory loss and other changes compared to Alzheimer's

Using this chart as an example, the differences that you see with the symptoms of developing Alzheimer’s Disease, is the disruption of thinking process that have to do with the loss of higher executive thinking skills. The problematic behaviors may start out happening rarely, but may be demonstrated frequently, with varying degrees of severity.

If you see these symptoms it is important for you to share the information with your family doctor. If you are not satisfied with the suggestions or treatment that is prescribed, seek out a second opinion. An early diagnosis can allow you to benefit from early treatment options and information about potential clinical studies that may be appropriate.

Source: www.alz.org

The definition of success is not the same for everyone, but whatever it is for you; just realize that there are going to be obstacles and hurdles to overcome. They are always there. What has to be consistent is to have an attitude of gratitude and the desire to put out a level of energy that does not accept failure as an option.

You may not reach the level of success you are looking for, as quickly as you are hoping, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t get there. It takes time, courage and strength to work against the negative folks that may be questioning your efforts. Don’t listen to them. Know in your heart that you are pursuing the course that is best for you, and keep visualizing your success.

You have to want it to get it, and you have to believe it to achieve it! I know that you have the ability to win! Don’t stop pursuing your dream! “Now let’s get going!” xo Sally

Let’s focus on the concept of “growing” for the next few days. Whatever stage of growth you are in, you need to do three main things:

Acknowledge it, Own it (take responsibility for it) and Continue “growing.” Many people get stuck in those areas, but you have to recognize where you are in your own process of growth, to get yourself to the next step.

You will not move yourself towards your next "growing experience" until you stop and determine where you are now, and allow yourself to believe you have the power to make your life and your situation better than it is today. Don’t be scared to think bigger. Don’t be afraid to see yourself more prosperous. Don’t allow someone else to stop your growth.

Are you stuck somewhere you don’t belong? It can happen to the best of us, at different points in our lives. Get “unstuck” and allow yourself to have more growth. Age is not a factor. Your situation in life right now doesn’t stop you from continuing to grow. No excuses. Start working on living your best life! You are amazing and you deserve it! “Now let’s get going!” xo Sally

When you begin believing in your goals, and talk about what you plan to do, you may hear all kinds of negative feedback from family, and people who you think are friends.

They may even be so bold to call you “crazy.” They only do that because they can’t relate to thinking about the bigger picture. They cannot imagine being successful or living a different life. They have bought in to the idea that they are where they are, and there are no alternatives.

Well, forget about that kind of thinking. Go ahead and be proud to be “crazy.” Crazy people are big thinkers. Crazy people believe that there is more in store for them. Crazy people dream big dreams.

Join my club of crazy people! You are welcome here. We are the ones who will make a difference in a positive way! What motivates you? Leave your comments below and you will find that you have a lot of supporters here, who know you are headed for great things! 

“Now let’s get going!” xo Sally

Every day we face all types of problems. Some seem to have no solutions, especially when the “problems” are related to an important relationship.

Relationships are complicated. How we relate to our parents, our brothers and sisters, our spouse, or our children, all require different levels of communication. It can be quite a balancing act to keep everyone happy, and keep things running smoothly.

The difficulties arise when things happen outside of our control, and we are affected. Sometimes it takes age and experience to understand that we can’t live someone else’s life for them. We cannot prevent our spouse from saying something that causes an issue, we can’t control adult children and prevent their mistakes, and we can’t stay in relationships that are unhealthy, regardless of the pain separation causes.

Accept your mistakes. Realize that apologies won’t kill you. Understand that experience allows growth and maturity to occur and that you can turn your life around. Be proud of who you are becoming. You are a work in process, and you are amazing! “Now let’s get going!” xo Sally

It is easy to be negative and live one day to the next. If you allow yourself to believe that nothing will change and you are “stuck” where you are, you will stay “stuck.”

The main difference between a person who looks at each day as an opportunity to have their life improve, and one who doesn’t, is having HOPE.

Allow your spirit to have hope. Take a step out in faith today, and allow yourself to learn something that will make you a better person. When you become a listener and a doer, rather than a complainer and a sitter…you will be taking the small steps necessary to improve your life. Don’t doubt it, just do it. "Let your test today, become your testimony" (Joel Osteen) “Now let’s get going!” xo Sally

What do you do for fun? Do you ever have fun? Sometimes life can get so busy that “fun” doesn’t seem to be part of the plan for the day.

Start today out with the goal of doing at least one thing out of your normal routine. Whether it is to read a chapter in a book that you have been trying to read for months, or take a short walk, do something different.

Realize that we are the ones that limit our routine to “boring.” It doesn’t have to be. Challenge yourself to add something to your day that is out of the ordinary. Take the time to call a friend to say hi, not text them…actually talk to them. We just don’t do enough of that anymore! “Now let’s get going!” xo Sally

Do you find yourself wanting to “escape” from your daily life? There are times that we all get tired and wish things would be easier, but our lives are a direct reflection of what we do each day.

We may not want to believe that we are the architects of our good and bad moments, but we are. What we allow to perpetuate, we get in return.

What can we do differently? What do you want to happen? Spend the next few days deciding what you want to happen in your life, and start believing it to be possible.

Don’t talk yourself out of it. You can have more and it can be better. Take the first step and write down what you want to see change. Small steps are better than no steps. It does not matter how old or how young you are. I know you can do it. Start thinking and planning for tomorrow…your life depends on it!   “Now let’s get going!”  xo Sally