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…
Living with dementia and caring for someone with dementia are both challenging situations. Vineyard Bluffton shares three ways to use technology tools to make everyday life easier and better for seniors with dementia and their caregivers. Many commonly available technology innovations can be used to make life safer, easier, and more enjoyable for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and the families…
A look at the 10 most common chronic diseases in older adults, offering practical prevention tips and management strategies to help your loved ones stay healthier longer.
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