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 […]