Alzheimer’s and dementia aren’t the same thing Many people use the words Alzheimer’s and dementia interchangeably, but it’s important to know that they’re not the same thing. Dementia is a syndrome, which is a group of symptoms that relate to a specific disorder or disease. It’s not a disease in itself. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases like…
What to do when there are problems in assisted living When an older adult with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia gets settled into an assisted living or memory care community, the last thing you want to do is put them through another move. But what if they’re not getting proper care? When an older adult doesn’t get the care they need, families typically…
Reminiscence therapy helps seniors with dementia Reminiscing, or sharing memories from the past, is an enjoyable way to connect with someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. With dementia, people typically lose short-term memory, but are often still able to recall older memories. The goal of reminiscence therapy is to help seniors with dementia feel valued, contented, and peaceful by recalling happy times…
What to do if you suspect Alzheimer’s or dementia If your older adult is behaving oddly or showing signs of cognitive impairment, like memory or judgment problems, you might wonder if they have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It’s a scary thought, but it’s important to face these fears head-on and have them get a thorough doctor’s exam and proper diagnosis. If their…
Sundowning symptoms affect quality of life Someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia may become more agitated or anxious starting in the late afternoon and lasting through the evening and night. They could become aggressive, delusional, paranoid, want to walk, or accidentally wander away. Some may have disrupted sleep schedules or restlessness at night. This behavior is called dementia sundowning because it typically…
Dementia causes changes in the brain that can worsen sleep. Someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can experience frequent waking, troubled sleep, or being awake at night. To help them (and you) get better rest at night, gerontologist Julia Larimer shares 5 tips that improve sleep in dementia. Dementia worsens sleep and poor sleep worsens dementia A good night’s sleep slows cognitive decline,…
The Mini Mental Status Exam is only a first step If you’re worried that your older adult could be showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s important to not jump to any conclusions. That’s because other medical conditions, medication side effects, or psychiatric issues could be causing dementia-like symptoms. So, the first step is to have their primary doctor do a…
So many families ask, “How is dementia diagnosed?” If you’re concerned that your older adult might have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s important to know how to get an accurate diagnosis. This is essential because other reversible health conditions could cause dementia-like symptoms. An accurate diagnosis is needed for proper treatment. Knowing what a doctor should evaluate helps you protect your older adult in case…
When an older loved one starts forgetting recent conversations or struggling with familiar tasks, it’s natural to worry and wonder what’s really going on. Is it just normal aging, or could it be Alzheimer’s disease? Understanding the difference is the first step toward getting the right help. Alzheimer’s isn’t a simple case of memory loss; it’s a specific, progressive disease that physically…
Pain in dementia isn’t always obvious or easy to diagnose Seniors with dementia often experience pain or serious discomfort on a regular basis. Typically, their pain is caused by health conditions common among older people, like arthritis, constipation, recovery from surgery or medical procedures, injuries due to falls or accidents, infections, or pressure sores. However, it’s not always easy to know when…
