Coping with sundowning caused by dementia Many seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia get increasingly agitated or anxious in the evening. They may become aggressive, delusional, paranoid, or tend to wander. This behavior pattern is called “sundowning” because it usually starts in the late afternoon or early evening and may last into the night. It can be very disruptive and difficult for caregivers…
When older adults hang on to a lot more stuff than they need and insist on living in extremely cluttered spaces, they may be hoarders. If your loved one is showing this behavior, you’re probably worried – for good reason! Hoarding poses physical dangers, including increased fall risk, blocking emergency workers from reaching your loved one, and unsanitary living conditions. It could also be a…
Everyday activities are challenging for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia Helping seniors with dementia look the way they always have helps boost their self-esteem. But the disease can make everyday activities like dressing and grooming challenging for both older adults and caregivers. 9 tips to simplify dressing someone with Alzheimer’s We found this useful infographic from the Alzheimer’s Association with 9…
Reminders and reason just won’t work When caring for an older adult with Alzheimer’s or dementia, it’s instinctive to try to bring them back into reality. When they say something that doesn’t make sense, you’ll want to remind them of the facts or ask them to remember previous conversations or events. What most caregivers don’t know is that this approach often makes…
Alzheimer’s is a rapidly growing problem Today, about 47 million people worldwide are living with dementia. That number is expected to grow to 75 million people in 2030 and to 132 million in 2050. And, in 2015, the global cost of dementia has already risen to 818 billion U.S. dollars! 50 facts about Alzheimer’s Because this terrible disease is affecting increasing…
Dementia is a Global Problem Did you know that 47.5 million people across the world are living with dementia? It’s a global epidemic that costs $ 604 billion each year. The 9 Key Types of Dementia Did you also know that there are eight significant types of dementia in addition to Alzheimer’s disease? Even though Alzheimer’s causes 60 – 80% of all…
– Question – My mom has Alzheimer’s. I know her mind isn’t what it used to be, but she says things that are obviously wrong or not true. I’ve heard that I should go along with her and I’ve also heard that I should explain why she’s wrong – I’m not sure which way is best. She just told me that my uncle…
What’s going on in their minds? Anyone who cares for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia has wondered what they’re going through. Even though we can never really experience their lives, this experiment tries to help families understand what it’s like to have Alzheimer’s. Experience Alzheimer’s for 12 minutes ABC News interviewed Blaine, a Texas man who cares for his mother with Alzheimer’s.…
Music improves health, mood, and sleep Music has many therapeutic benefits for seniors and sometimes helps more than medication. In documentaries like Alive Inside, we’ve seen how music can deeply affect older adults with cognitive issues. This study showed that in stressful pre-surgery situations, patients who listened to music rather than taking anti-anxiety meds actually had less anxiety and lower cortisol (stress)…
Why do Alzheimer’s and dementia symptoms cause difficult behavior? The person with Alzheimer’s or dementia can’t express what’s wrong or what they need, so they act out. Your older adult may act in strange, annoying, or scary ways, but these difficult behaviors often have a real, physical cause. Step-by-step guide from the Alzheimer’s Association To help you deal with these challenging issues,…
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