Knowing more about dementia makes caregiving easier Alzheimer’s and dementia are complex brain diseases that change your older adult’s behavior and affect family and friends. To provide great care and reduce your own stress, the first step is to find out more about the disease. Getting a better understanding of the basics takes away some of the uncertainty and anxiety. We worked…
Screening tests aren’t enough to diagnose Alzheimer’s or dementia Alzheimer’s and dementia screening tests like the Mini Mental Status Exam or the MoCA don’t always detect signs of cognitive problems, especially if someone is in the early stages. Screening tests also aren’t comprehensive enough to make a proper diagnosis. If dementia-like symptoms and a screening test both indicate that someone has cognitive issues,…
Learn from caregivers who have been through it Caring for someone with dementia isn’t intuitive and doesn’t come naturally. There’s a lot to learn, but you don’t have to figure everything out the hard way. In a helpful article at Verywell, social worker Esther Heerema shares 12 dementia care tips that caregivers have learned and wished they’d known sooner. This advice isn’t…
Sexually inappropriate behavior in Alzheimer’s patients, such as inappropriate comments, disrobing, or unwanted advances, can be one of the most distressing and misunderstood symptoms for caregivers to manage. While these actions are typically caused by neurological changes rather than intentional misconduct, they create valid discomfort and ethical dilemmas for families and care staff. This article shares nine compassionate, expert-approved strategies for redirecting…
It’s natural to get frustrated or feel resentful because your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia resists help or doesn’t appreciate your efforts.
Get 12 practical dementia care tips Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is tough, especially when you’re starting from scratch or if what you’re doing now isn’t working. We found a helpful infographic from Alzheimer’s & Dementia Weekly that covers 12 important tips for caring for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia. These recommendations cover all aspects of caregiving, including improved communication,…
When seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia start needing more help and a higher level of care, it can be a tough transition for caregivers. That’s because they’re likely to resist your well-intentioned attempts to help. Expert dementia educator Teepa Snow explains that caregivers need new skills to make dementia care easier and reduce conflicts. The best part about Teepa’s teaching is that…
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…
– 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.…
