Paula Spencer
Caring.com senior editor
- About
Paula Spencer, Senior Editor of the Alzheimer's/Dementia channel, has specialized in writing about family care and health from her very first post-college job as an editor of 50 Plus magazine through her most recent post as a columnist for Woman's Day. She's the author or collaborating author of a dozen books, including Momfidence, and her articles have appeared in Newsweek, Health, Parenting, USA Weekend, and other magazines and websites. She has received writing awards from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Arthritis Foundation.
Paula earned her B.A. in journalism and American studies at the University of Iowa. She now lives with her husband and their four children in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where she's also on the advisory board of the Medical Journalism Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In 2007 alone, Paula dealt with the unexpected cancer death of her 81-year-old mother, who had also broken her pelvis months earlier, and with moving her father, who is 86 and has early dementia, from the home he'd lived in for more than 40 years.
Recently Published on Caring.com
Saturday May 10, 2008
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Blog Post - Too Skinny? Too Fat? Both Raise Your Risk of Dementia
Being too fat OR too thin puts you at risk for dementia, according to a review of past studies.
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Friday May 09, 2008
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Blog Post - Brain-Training 101: Does It Really Help Those With Dementia?
Brain-fitness games are a huge growth industry, but can they help prevent or reverse dementia?
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Friday May 02, 2008
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Article - The Path to an Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis
Six steps to take if your parent is showing signs of Alzheimer's disease, from documenting the symptoms to finding the right doctor -- and what to do after you get a diagnosis.
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Blog Post - Questions I Wish I'd Asked Mom
Reflections on a first motherless Mother's Day.
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Wednesday April 30, 2008
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Blog Post - Unforgettable Mother's Day Gifts for a Mom Who Forgets
Great Mother's Day gift ideas for someone with dementia
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Monday April 28, 2008
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Answer - Answer To Dementia Support Groups Question
Where to find support groups for caregivers of people with dementia that's not Alzheimer's
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Answer - Answer To What Is Normal Memory Loss
An explanation of what normal memory loss is.
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Answer - Answer To Daughter No Longer Remembered Question
Stressful events can worsen dementia symptoms.
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Answer - Answer To Alzheimer's Depression Medicine Question
Alzheimer's patients are not automatically given antidepressants although many people with AD are also depressed.
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Answer - Answer To What Is The Life Expectancy For Someone With Alzheimer's
The life expectancy of someone with Alzheimer's depends on many factors.
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Answer - Answer To Which Medications Cause Memory Loss Question
Many different medications can cause memory loss.
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Answer - Answer To Dementia Terminology Question
Alzheimer's is a form of dementia but only one form.
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Answer - Answer To Denial About Alzheimer's Question
Denial is a common reaction to an Alzheimer's diagnosis.
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Answer - Answer To How Do I Know If My Mom Has Alzheimers Question
How to tell if someone has Alzheimer's disease.
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Answer - Answer To Who Is Doing The Most Promising Alzheimer's Cure Research
While many researchers are working toward a cure for Alzheimer's, one is not expected in the very near future.
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Answer - Answer To What Are The First Signs Of Alzheimer's
Memory loss is one of the hallmark first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
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Answer - Answer To What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimer's
The difference between Alzheimer's and dementia.
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Answer - Answer To Can We Travel With Parents Who Have Dementia
While it's possible to travel with someone who has dementia, you should be aware of what's involved.
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Answer - Answer To Difference Between Alzheimer's And Dementia
Alzheimer's and dementia are not exactly the same thing; one is a disease and the other is the name for a set of symptoms
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Friday April 25, 2008
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Blog Post - 5 Surprising Ways to Use Memories to Help People With Memory Loss
Reminiscence therapy improves mood and communication in people with Alzheimer's and dementia by prodding deeply-held memories.
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Blog Post - "Magic" Stoves, Sinks, and Other Inventive Eldercare Helpers
New appliances are being designed with seniors in mind.
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Thursday April 24, 2008
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Blog Post - Surprising News About Who's Happiest
The oldest people are the happiest, surprising new research reveals.
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Checklist - 8 Signs to Watch for if You Suspect Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's Symptoms. How to recognize Alzheimer symptoms. The 8 symptoms to watch for if you suspect your parent has Alzheimer's disease.
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Tuesday April 22, 2008
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Answer - Answer To Could It Be Alzheimer's Rather Than Dementia?
Dementia is the name for a set of symptoms, including memory loss; Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.
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Monday April 21, 2008
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Blog Post - Memory Trouble? Don't Assume It's Alzheimer's
Memory loss isn't always Alzheimer's: a review of types of memory loss
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Friday April 18, 2008
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Blog Post - Dementia Caregiver? 4+ Ways You Can Take a Break
Ideas for how dementia caregivers can use the arts for stress relief.
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Tuesday April 15, 2008
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Blog Post - Memory Loss Is on Everybody's, Um, Mind
Many caregivers wonder about their own memory loss; these amusing readings offer a cheering perspective.
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Friday April 11, 2008
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Blog Post - Dementia Caregivers: You Really Ought to Talk About It
New study shows one on one therapy helps reduce the burden on caregivers and their depressive symptoms.
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Monday April 07, 2008
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Community Post - Is being overweight a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's?
Yes, actually this is based on a very large study,...
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Sunday April 06, 2008
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Blog Post - Are You a "Designated Daughter"?
A new book coins a new term for grown daughters who look after their parents: designated daughter.
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Saturday April 05, 2008
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Blog Post - Alzheimer's Meds: Time for a Reality Check?
The absence of good news about Alzheimer's medications reminds caregivers that learning behavioral therapy is paramount.
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Saturday March 29, 2008
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Blog Post - Fat Belly Now Doubles Risk of Dementia Later
A new study links belly fat in midlife with an increased risk of developing dementia later in life. It's the first-ever study to link excess weight to Alzheimer's-type dementias.
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Friday March 28, 2008
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Blog Post - New Vocabulary Words for Caregivers
Thoughts on the power of language to influence our perspective on care-giving for the better.
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Friday March 21, 2008
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Blog Post - Dementia Caregivers: Ready to Make Your Brain a Promise?
Scary new statistics about Alzheimer's disease and dementia are a wake-up call to caregivers to take better care of themselves.
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Saturday March 15, 2008
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Blog Post - What Alzheimer's Caregivers Need Even More Than a Cure
Alzheimer's caregivers need care resources as urgently as a cure
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Tuesday March 11, 2008
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Blog Post - Alzheimer's Caregivers' #1 Challenge
A new survey of Alzheimer's caregivers reveals that daily care isn't the worst of it. Grief is.
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Friday February 15, 2008
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Article - What Causes Alzheimer's Disease and Who Gets It
12 questions to help you gauge your parent's risk for Alzheimer's disease, based on the known risk factors for Alzheimer's and its possible causes.
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Sunday November 18, 2007
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Article - How to Prepare for a Trip to the Emergency Room if Your Parent Has Alzheimer's
How to prepare in case your parent with Alzheimer's needs to go to the emergency room, and what you can do to help him navigate the ER.
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Article - Brain-Stretching Activities for a Parent With Alzheimer's
Practical ways to keep your parent afflicted with Alzheimer's mentally engaged -- for the sake of her cognitive and emotional health.
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Saturday November 17, 2007
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Article - Adult Daycare for a Parent with Alzheimer's: A Beginner's Guide
A guide to adult daycare for a parent with Alzheimer's. Is adult daycare different from a senior center? Are they tailored to people with Alzheimer's?
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Article - Using Adult Daycare for a Parent With Alzheimer's: A Step-by-Step Guide
7 steps for deciding whether adult daycare would benefit your elderly parent with Alzheimer's, finding a daycare center, and evaluating it.
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Friday November 16, 2007
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Article - Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): A Beginner's Guide
A guide to telling the difference between normal memory loss and mild cognitive impairment that could lead to dementia.
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Article - Non-Alzheimer's Causes of Dementia
Alzheimer's isn't the only cause of dementia. A basic overview of different kinds of dementia and how they can affect your elderly parent.
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Wednesday November 14, 2007
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Article - How to Handle a Parent With Alzheimer's Who Wanders
What you need to know to create a safe environment for a parent with Alzheimer's who wanders.
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Sunday November 04, 2007
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Article - Life Expectancy for a Parent With Alzheimer's
Life Expectancy for a Parent With Alzheimer's. What's the average life span of someone with Alzheimer's? What influences Alzheimer's longevity?
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Article - Alzheimer's Disease Support Groups: A Beginner's Guide
Here's what you can expect from an Alzheimer's support groups, from who attends to what happens at meetings.
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Article - What You Need if You Care for a Parent With Alzheimer's
Stress-busters and tips to help you stay balanced and prepared while caring for a parent with Alzheimer's.
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Article - How to Slow the Progress of Alzheimer's Disease
The cognitive changes of Alzheimer's disease can't be reversed. But there are some proven ways to delay further decline, at least over the short term.
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Checklist - 8 Red Flags That an Alzheimer's Caregiver Needs a Break
Alzheimer's caregivers often suffer from stress and burnout. Here are warning signs that mean you (or another caregiver) need relief.
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Sunday October 07, 2007
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Article - The Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
The Stages of Alzheimer's Disease. A comprehensive guide on what to expect during each Alzheimer's stage.
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Article - Nontraditional Therapies That May Help Your Parent's Alzheimer's
Here are some nontraditional forms of therapy that have been found useful for people with Alzheimer's disease.
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Checklist - 10 Questions to Ask Your Parent's Doctor About Alzheimer's
If your parent has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, time is really of the essence. Here are the questions to ask your parent's medical provider.
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Tuesday September 18, 2007
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Checklist - 8 Ways to Preserve Family Memories While You Can if Your Parent Has Alzheimer's
Learn about the 8 ways to preserve family memories if your parent has Alzheimer's. Start by digitizing old photos or by filling out the family tree.
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Tuesday September 11, 2007
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Checklist - 8 Things to Do When You First Learn Your Parent Has Alzheimer's
Practical steps you can take when you're wondering...
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Monday September 10, 2007
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Article - How to Provide Alzheimer's Support From a Distance
Ten great ideas to help you care for your parent with Alzheimer's disease when you can't be there in person.
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Article - How to Tell if Your Parent With Alzheimer's Needs Assisted Living
How to tell if your parent with Alzheimer's needs assisted living. These questions will help you decide whether your parent needs more assistance.
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Article - How to Avoid Strained Sibling Relationships When a Parent Has Alzheimer's
The best ways to maintain family unity when caring for a parent with Alzheimer's disease.
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Thursday September 06, 2007
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Article - Common Myths About Alzheimer's Disease
Nine Alzheimer's myths clarified. This and other resources on Alzheimer's disease are available in Caring.com's Alzheimer's & Dementia page.
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Article - How to Communicate Better When Your Parent Has Early-Stage Alzheimer's or Dementia
How to better communicate when your parent has early stage Alzheimer's or dementia. Keep these simple Alzheimer's communication techniques in mind.
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Monday August 27, 2007
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Article - How to Tell Your Kids About Your Parent's Alzheimer's Disease
Help your kids understand what your parent is going through with this simple guide to explaining Alzheimer's disease to children.
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Checklist - 8 People You Need on Your Alzheimer's Care Team
Which professionals handle dementia? Learning that...
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