Jytte Lokvig

Caring.com Expert

About

Since the early 1990s, Jytte Lokvig has worked with the elderly, especially those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. She coaches families and professional caregivers and designs life-enrichment programs and activities for care facilities. Her workshops and seminars promote changes in approach and communication to create a healthy environment based on dignity and humor.

In her teaching, writing, and modeling, Lokvig throws a lifeline to the caregiver. Her caregiving models bring about dramatic changes in the mental state and behavior of the Alzheimer's patient. She designs and implements activity programs, drawing on her background in educational psychology and her expertise in the arts, theater, and music.

In 2002, Lokvig published Alzheimer's A to Z: Secrets to Successful Caregiving, a uniquely effective guide for caregivers. New Harbinger Publications has since published a revised and updated version under the title Alzheimer's A to Z: A Quick-Reference Guide. The book has been translated into Portuguese, Spanish, and Japanese.

Lokvig holds a PhD in management with a specialty in Alzheimer's care from California Pacific University and a master's degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.

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Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Friday January 20, 2012

    1. Mom has dementia - how do we move her to a nursing home?

      Answer - Specifically for "nextinline" A dear friend of mine had likewise pledged to herself and her family that she would spare them the burden and grief of the Alzheimer's that had taken her mother. When she reached 75 and started experiencing MCI, she gave each of her children a copy of "Final Exit...

  2. Tuesday January 17, 2012

    1. Hospice vs. home health care

      Answer - You're correct that hospice doesn't offer routine maintenance. For that you'll need a home healthcare service or move your mom to an assisted living. I'm actually surprised that your local hospice accepted your mother as a patient if she's still well enough to tolerate and benefit from CT scans and subsequent treatment...

  3. Thursday December 08, 2011

    1. my mom in NH needs a hobby

      Answer - Getting your mom something meaningful to do and bringing her the supplies for knitting is a very good idea. Fortunately, if your mom is knitting and doing crochet, she likely wouldn’t need scissors that often. You can look for blunt point scissors especially designed for children and if they still d...

  4. Monday November 28, 2011

    1. Would a person with Alzheimer's Disease ever hurt their own pet?

      Answer - I think your worries are warranted. It sounds as though your client is no longer able to care for her dog. On behalf of the dog, my concerns are twofold: your client may no longer be aware of its needs, i.e. when it needs to go out or what, when and how much to feed it...

  5. Saturday October 08, 2011

    1. How do we communicate to my mother that her memory has declined?

      Answer - Most of us wouldn’t want to admit to ourselves that we’re experiencing cognitive decline and are no longer capable of handling our affairs. Many folks in the early stages of dementia have told me that the single scariest aspect to them is losing their self-determination.

  6. Wednesday October 05, 2011

    1. My mother is becoming increasingly forgetful but won't got to the doctor, what should I do?

      Answer - Your mom is perfectly normal. Her resistance is pretty much the norm. Few of us would be ready to admit that we’re experiencing cognitive decline and are no longer capable of taking care of ourselves. In this situation it will help you to try to “walk in your mother’s shoes.” She does not want to sunt...

    2. Is it true that it's better for Alzheimer's patients to be cared for by family than strangers?

      Answer - There’s no ironclad rule on whether staying at home is preferable to living in a facility. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

    3. How should I handle my mom with Alzheimer's when she is acting rudely towards me?

      Answer - In trying to be the best caregivers, many of us don’t realize when we’re overdoing it. It can be very stressful always to be on the receiving end of kindness. Most of us need purpose; we need something to do.

    4. How can I learn about more stimulating activities for Alzheimer's patients who are less independent?

      Answer - Thank you for bringing up this topic. It's one of my pet peeves.

  7. Tuesday October 04, 2011

    1. How can I make my mother with Alzheimer's feel less anxious?

      Answer - Your mother may not understand every word you say to her, but she will read your body-language and react to your tone. If you’re worried that she’s afraid you’ll convey that to her in the tenor of your voice, so first you’ll need to work on your own confidence.

    2. Why wouldn't a neurologist diagnose dementia or Alzheimer's?

      Answer - You don’t say what your relationship is with this person, so I’ll take the liberty and assume it’s your husband.

  8. Saturday October 01, 2011

    1. My mother says she can't taste anything, and everything makes her feel bloated; is this a symptom of Alzheimer's?

      Answer - It may be a combination of both. Most of side-effects associated with Aricept involve the GI track; typical reactions include loss of appetite; muscle cramps; nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weight loss. There are some reports of bloating as well. A few people experience serious intestinal bleeding, indicated by a black, tarry stool...

    2. What caused my husband to make a strange sucking noise and not even realize it?

      Answer - This episode sounds like a TIA (transient ischemic attack,) also known as a mini-stroke. Unlike a regular stroke, a TIA does not cause brain tissue to die. It may last from a few minutes to several hours. It’s caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow in the brain. After a TIA, the blockage breakaks up quickly and dissolves...

    3. What would cause an Alzheimer's patient to stop talking?

      Answer - Some people with Alzheimer’s develop what’s known as aphasia, which makes it difficult for them to pronounce words or make sentences. It’s not that unusual that they simply stop talking altogether. In those cases we need to be aware that they may still understand some or much of what they hear....

  9. Monday September 26, 2011

    1. Can Alzheimer's be triggered by a traumatic experience?

      Answer - Stand corrected on one part. Yes, the disease is already present and the trauma simply brings it to the surface.

    2. Is it normal to feel like you are a prisoner in your own home when caregiving for a spouse with dementia?

      Answer - Your husband is lucky to have you. You obviously love him very much to give up a job to care for him. You ask if it’s common to feel trapped as the sole caregiver. Absolutely! And you need to take care of yourself as well. There’s no question that you must bring someone in to help you...

  10. Saturday September 24, 2011

    1. Is there a way to stop Alzheimer's disease

      Answer - Unfortunately there's no way to prevent or stop Alzheimer's disease. You can possibly delay or slow down the onset by eating a heart healthy diet, staying physically and mentally active. Even simple walking has helped a lot of people in the early stages...

  11. Thursday September 22, 2011

    1. How can I leave my father at a memory care facility with out conflict?

      Answer - Many of us consider a move into an long term living facility as failure in our ability to care for our loved ones; it can make us feel terribly guilty. When we have these feelings, few of us realize how we affect the mood and behavior of our loved ones. I hope you feel very positive and optimistic on your dad’s behalf...

  12. Monday September 19, 2011

    1. How should we handle a dentist appointment for my father with moderate dementia?

      Answer - This is no easy decision. I would recommend that you start by getting a second opinion from another dentist. You should also talk to your father’s doctor. Having ten teeth extracted at one time is traumatic for anybody, but for a 91 year-old it’s usually considered major surgery, requiring general aal anesthesia...

  13. Monday September 12, 2011

    1. Is it possible to recover from the last stage of Alzheimer's disease?

      Answer - She may still improve. The older we are, the longer it takes our bodies to recuperate from trauma. In the meantime, I stand by my advice on exercise, nourishment and keeping her spirit up - and the color red.

  14. Sunday September 11, 2011

    1. What stage of Alzheimer's is my mother in, and when is the right time to place her in assisted living?

      Answer - As you describe it, your mom’s behavior is typical of someone in the middle stage of the disease. No doubt, the trauma of your father’s death has sent her into a decline. Reminding her that he’s gone will only further aggravate her dementia. When she asks about his whereabouts, tell her you’re not sre...

    2. Is it possible to recover from the last stage of Alzheimer's disease?

      Answer - Urinary tract infections are very common in the elderly, particularly in women. As caregivers it can be hard for us to detect the problem. A person with dementia/Alzheimer’s may lose the ability to express their pain or physical discomfort other than through a change in beha...

    3. How can I get my husband with dementia realize that he can no longer make the same commitments he used to?

      Answer - PS to Frena, I'll be in your area around the holidays. I'd love to meet you and compare notes. We're coming form the same place. - Bisbee could probably benefit form an Alzheimer's Cafe, what do you think?

    4. How can I get my husband with dementia realize that he can no longer make the same commitments he used to?

      Answer - I started our Alzheimer's Cafe here in Santa Fe in 2008. It has provided a wonderfully safe place for people to come together, folks with Alzheimer's and their families and caregivers. It has helped numerous people who are living with the disease to share with others in the same situation, especially...

  15. Friday September 09, 2011

    1. What percentage of Alzheimer's patients refuse to acknowledge they have Alzheimer's?

      Answer - Most people are terrified of Alzheimer’s, so it’s quite understandable why many don’t want to face their diagnosis. There are hundreds of dementias, of which Alzheimer’s is the most prevalent but since it’s still not identified with absolute certainty until autopsy, the official diagnosis is “dementis “dementia, probably of the Alzheimer’s type...