Strengthening Bonds: Strategies for Visiting a Person With Dementia
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s may also mean a diagnosis for loneliness. Though socialization continues to be very necessary for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, various factors lead to an increase in isolation, including: Discomfort on the part of friends and family who are unsure what to say (or not to say) The need to discontinue driving […]
Activities for Dementia Patients That Can Help Improve Self-Confidence
What gets you out of bed every day? Many of us have an extensive list of to-dos that pushes us to begin the day. As much as we might wish we could keep hitting the snooze button, having a sense of purpose is in fact imperative to our health. That’s true for a person with […]
Strategies to Help Dementia Patients Preserve Independence
If you’re caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you may be inclined to do as much as possible for the person to relieve the strain of even the most basic daily tasks. Independent living and dementia may even seem like polar opposites. However, we all have a natural need to preserve self-reliance and […]
How to Cope With Shadowing in a Loved One Who Has Alzheimer’s
Primary caregivers for individuals with dementia are often all too acquainted with the challenge of trying to grab a moment or two alone – to get a quick shower, step into the other room, or even use the bathroom. Those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can experience increased fear when a family member is out of sight […]
Dementia and Hearing Loss: Is There a Connection?
When checking in on Mom, you notice the television is blaring, and she’s asking you to repeat what you’ve just said, or even to speak up because she believes you’re talking too quietly. Some amount of hearing loss is fairly typical in older adults, and definitely requires staying on top of through regular hearing screenings. […]
Watch for These Signs That Could Point to Alzheimer’s
You cannot quite pinpoint it, but you have begun to observe some changes in Mom’s conduct recently. She’s a bit more forgetful than before. She keeps misplacing her car keys. At times she repeats herself. Could it be Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? Currently, over 6.5 million people age 65 and older are struggling […]
Strategies for Your Dementia Care Toolbox
Providing care for a person with Alzheimer’s can feel as difficult as trying to comprehend quantum physics. It entails trying to make sense of what looks nonsensical, and reacting in ways that seem illogical to everything you’ve thought up to now. Yet with some basic tools in your dementia care toolbox, you can feel more […]
Sensory Activities for Seniors With Dementia Help Reduce Agitation
Swift changes in moods are hallmark characteristics of dementia, and can be extremely hard for family caregivers to navigate. One moment you might be having fun participating in an enjoyable activity together, when seemingly out of thin air, the senior’s demeanor darkens. You could then find yourself walking on eggshells while you carefully attempt to […]
How to Cope with False Accusations When an Older Loved One Has Dementia
Imagine having a fantastic afternoon with your family member with dementia, listening to music and working on a puzzle with each other, when all of a sudden the person’s mood darkens. When you innocently ask what is wrong, you receive a sharp and surprising response: “I know you stole money from me! How could you […]
Tips to Keep Individuals with Alzheimer’s Engaged
Remaining active and involved in meaningful interests is very important for our mental health. Every one of us needs to feel both needed and successful. This feeling doesn’t disappear because of a diagnosis of dementia, though it might require some creativity to achieve. As a matter of fact, stimulating and enjoyable activities can minimize difficult […]
Learn the Facts About Senior Delirium and How to Treat It
With its similarities to dementia, delirium is often a baffling condition to comprehend and manage. Seniors are particularly susceptible to delirium, so our aging care experts have collected the following information that can help you recognize and respond appropriately to senior delirium if you suspect it in someone you love. What are the symptoms of […]
Senior Care Journaling: 7 Important Things to Track for a Loved One with Dementia
Keeping a journal is growing in popularity, for many different reasons. Far from the “Dear Diary” days of our adolescence, it is so much more than simply a way to safely share our secrets and dreams. Writing in a journal is a wonderful way to alleviate anxiety, for instance. It allows for creative expression through […]
Making Holiday Activities Festive for Seniors with Alzheimer’s
The limitations associated with the COVID pandemic impacted last year’s holiday season, forcing many people to remain isolated from each other. Thankfully, this season families are able to embrace the opportunity to safely gather together once more for holiday activities. While decking the halls and getting ready for visits with loved ones, it’s important to […]
Exercise and Dementia: How to Help Loved Ones Stay Active
When an older adult has dementia and all of the challenges that it entails, family caregivers need a toolbox full of helpful strategies. Out of all the innovative approaches caregivers can try to help make life as comfortable, safe, and meaningful as possible, there is one remarkably effective strategy that could be forgotten: exercise. Exercise and […]
Vascular Dementia and How It Differs from Other Forms of Dementia in Seniors
As the most common form of dementia in seniors, Alzheimer’s impacts more than 5.8 million Americans. However, there is another, lesser-known form of dementia causing cognitive problems for seniors: vascular dementia. Knowing the symptoms and risk factors, together with the unique attributes that make it different from Alzheimer’s, is essential to obtaining a correct diagnosis […]
The Importance of Oral Health for Seniors with Alzheimer’s
It is among the first things we do each morning, as well as one of the last things we do each night, typically on autopilot without giving it an extra thought. Yet it happens to be a complicated process made up of numerous steps, making this seemingly easy task quite a challenge for someone with […]
Caring for a Loved One in the Late Stage of Dementia: Part 3 of 3
Getting the news that an older adult family member has been diagnosed with dementia is life-changing. Thinking through the many elements and aspects associated with the disease and its particular impact, both now as well as in the long term, can be overwhelming. In this three-part series, we’ve examined the early, middle and late stage […]
What to Expect in a Loved One with Early Stage Alzheimer’s: Part 1 of 3
Receiving the news that an older family member has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is life-changing. Thinking through the various aspects and factors associated with the disease, both now as well as in the long run, can be overwhelming. Over the next several months, our three-part series will examine the early, middle and later stages of […]
The Benefits of Professional Dementia Care at Home
Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia in an older adult you love is heartbreaking, and will instantly bring about a variety of concerns and questions. Exactly what will life be like for my loved one? How will the condition affect everyday behaviors and functioning? Where will he or she live? […]
Aging in Place Home Modifications for a Dementia-Friendly Space
The day-to-day challenges of providing care for a family member with Alzheimer’s are continually evolving. Today, the challenge could be frustration with the lack of ability to communicate effectively. Next week, it may be wandering and seeking to go “home.” There may be sleepless nights if sundowning is an issue, or aggressive actions and words […]
Travel Safety Tips When a Loved One Has Alzheimer’s
After spending considerable time in social distancing and isolation, this summer may lead you even more than usual to want to journey to visit family, or to just encounter a change of scenery and a few pleasant activities. And if you provide care for a member of your family with Alzheimer’s or dementia, having a […]
The Benefits of Reminiscence Therapy for Dementia Patients
Memories…every day we’re making new ones, but there is something especially heartwarming about revisiting those from long ago. And for older adults with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia, with a decreasing capability to hold short-term memories, those from years past are all the more priceless. In fact, reminiscence therapy for dementia patients is […]
Dementia Behavior May Become More Pronounced During Halloween. Learn How to Help Your Loved One Feel Secure.
There is certainly no age limit to enjoying the fun of Halloween! Seniors are often delighted by visits from trick-or-treaters, together with a chance to take pleasure in fall treats and fun decorations. Nevertheless, if a cherished older adult is struggling with the challenges of dementia, certain elements of the Halloween season might be downright […]