When a loved one is living with dementia, communication can become a daily source of frustration and heartache for everyone involved. The “right” words often get lost, conversations can circle endlessly, and you might feel like you’re no longer able to connect in a meaningful way. But what if you could learn a new set of simple, powerful techniques that could help…
Many families may have difficulty keeping in touch, and seniors may sometimes feel isolated or abandoned. This can be devastating for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia who aren’t able to use popular video calling apps, and may not understand the situation. Let’s examine this issue and discuss some available solutions. Michael Cottam cares for his father-in-law, who has dementia and lives in…
Long term care for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is expensive. To be able to provide the best care possible, it’s important to plan ahead for future care costs. HealthMarkets explains what Medicare does and doesn’t cover for Alzheimer’s and dementia care. As of 2019, an estimated 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. And the…
You’ve probably wondered what seniors with dementia are thinking When you’re caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you’ve probably wondered: what is it like to live with dementia? To shed some light on that question, BuzzFeed collected stories from people with dementia. These individuals shared what was happening in their minds and how it affected their ability to participate…
If you suspect that your loved one may be showing signs of cognitive impairment rather than just occasional forgetfulness, the first step is to visit their primary doctor for a complete check-up. If there aren’t any obvious causes of dementia-like symptoms, the doctor might use a test called the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) to screen for possible cognitive issues. A more sensitive screening test…
Sponsored by Gleam in Your Eye Regularly participating in stimulating activities can help maintain existing cognitive and physical abilities. These activities will also bring joy and encourage social connection. At Gleam in Your Eye, our mission is to encourage positive cognitive stimulation for people with Alzheimer’s. While developing our specialized dementia activity boxes, we found that there are four key considerations when…
Alzheimer’s cure claims are ripping off vulnerable families Advertisements for an Alzheimer’s cure are everywhere, especially on the internet. These herbal remedies, dietary supplements, and “medical foods” are promoted as safe, “natural” treatments that enhance memory or delay or prevent Alzheimer’s or dementia. Their false claims are supported only with pseudoscience (theories that have no basis in scientific fact), fake testimonials, and…
Join Alzheimer’s research to help scientists More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, a devastating disease that not only affects those who are diagnosed, but also their families. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly half of the people taking care of an older adult are caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Unfortunately, the number of Americans…
Do people with Alzheimer’s Know They Have It? Many family caregivers want to know – “Do people with Alzheimer’s know they have it?” You might be surprised to learn that some people are not aware that they have Alzheimer’s. People with Alzheimer’s, dementia, brain tumor, stroke, and other types of damage in the brain are cognitively impaired and, because of that, might…
Social media gives people more opportunities to connect and socialize, something that’s especially important for preventing senior isolation. But there are risks and challenges. Laurel McLaughlin explains why social media can be dangerous for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia and shares 4 tips to keep them safe while supporting their independence. Social media provides connection, but has a dark side Social…
