A recent report published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the number of adults affected by dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease, declined from 11.6% in 2000 to 8.8% in 2012, nearly a 25% decrease. Researchers analyzed over 10,000 Americans who were at least 65 years of age from different parts of the country and with different…
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be overwhelming, but the more information and support you have, the better you can navigate the demanding road ahead. The more support you have, the better you will be able to help your loved one. As you come to grips with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, you’ll be worried…
Doctors might refer to dementia as a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, but, for many of us, dementia means something much more specific. Medical definitions don’t accurately convey what we experience when we are around our loved one. We deal with dementia and Alzheimer’s on…
The key to staying active during Alzheimer’s and dementia is the same as any other stage in life: Have fun. Of course, there are a few more considerations, but engaging all of the senses and enjoying yourself is the goal. Before you start, you should ask yourself, “does my loved one still enjoy the activity,”…
Henry’s mind is deteriorating, but underneath the dust, there is still a person – a person who lived a full life and loved music, his family and God, but in his old age it can be hard to see that sometimes. The exception is when there is music: Luckily, Henry was a beneficiary of a…
Dr. Richard Gunderman, an MD and PhD for the Radiology Department at Indiana University posted an article on The Atlantic that resonates with caregivers: “We should dwell less on lamenting what dementia patients are incapable of and focus more on bringing out and celebrating what they are capable of doing.” Like anything else in medicine,…
As you develop routines for the day in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, it’s important to include activities and visitors. What your loved one can handle will change over time, so stay flexible in your planning. You want to make sure that they are getting sensory experiences and socialization, but not to the point of getting…
Having a general daily routine with Alzheimer’s and dementia care will help caregiving run smoothly. Routines don’t need to be set in stone or drab. Instead, they give a sense of consistency, which is beneficial for a loved one, even if they can’t communicate it. Diversity is welcome. You and your loved one should create…
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia will gradually affect a person’s ability to communicate. To continue communicating, you have to understand subtle cues and change your approach. Cues and Approach Communication abilities will decline, but those undergoing dementia continue to have a social awareness that can cause depression, frustration and isolation. With this in…
A recent study shows that hearing-impaired older adults are more likely to suffer from memory issues than those without hearing loss. The USA Today article, Listen Up: Dementia linked to hearing loss, summarizes lead author Frank Lin’s research, which was published online in the JAMA Internal Medicine. “Cognitive problems developed 30% to 40% faster when…