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,…
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…
Seniors with dementia may easily get frustrated and stressed Sometimes it seems like seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia become angry at the drop of a hat. Most likely, they’re suddenly reaching a breaking point because of built-up frustrations from everyday tasks. This might be the root cause of aggressive behavior or angry outbursts. To reduce these “dementia and anger” flare-ups, they…
Frontotemporal dementia tends to start at younger ages Frontotemporal dementia is the 5th most common cause of dementia. It’s also referred to as FTD or frontal lobe dementia. It’s estimated that there are 50,000 to 60,000 people living with FTD in the United States. It often occurs between the ages of 45 and 65, but can also start as early as age 20…
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…
When dementia and alcohol abuse intersect, caregivers face a particularly challenging situation – one that demands compassion, strategy, and specialized knowledge. The cognitive impairments of dementia can make recognizing problematic drinking behaviors more difficult, while alcohol can accelerate cognitive decline and increase safety risks. These six evidence-based tips help caregivers navigate this complex issue with practical interventions, from creating a safer environment…
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…
When someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is distressed or upset, the first thing to do is help them calm down. Reducing their agitation will allow you to figure out what’s wrong or help solve the problem. In these situations, whatever threat or concern they’re experiencing is very real to them, so asking them to calm down or explaining why they don’t need…
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…
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