Before your little goblins, ghouls and fairy princesses go out on their quests for Halloween treats, the Plant City Police Department urges parents and caregivers to use common sense and remember key safety tips. ...more

October 24, 2007

One of our greatest joys is volunteering as facilitators of a weekly caregiver support group. Every Thursday at 1 p.m., we meet with a number of Highlands County residents who care for loved ones with dementia. Since October 2000, Crown Pointe Assisted Living Facility has donated its activity room, coffee and cookies. At present, the majority of caregivers in our group are spousal caregivers - they take care of their husbands or wives. Most of them don't work outside the home and a daytime meeting works best for them. However, there's also a growing need in the county for an evening group. Many adult children with daytime jobs care for elderly parents. Some spousal caregivers may prefer to attend an evening meeting. ...more

September 21, 2007

Dear Lyn: I take care of my older brother full-time. He's 80 and was diagnosed with progressive dementia a few years ago. Lately he can't seem to sit still, and he's constantly pacing or fidgeting. He doesn't wander outside, but I did get him a Safe Return bracelet. My problem is that his pacing is really getting to me. I took him to the doctor to see if something was physically wrong with him that would make him nervous or upset. The doctor examined him and said he was fine, but he didn't give me any advice about dealing with this. Any suggestions? –- Uptight Little Sister ...more

September 13, 2007