4 Ways to Respond to Repetitive Questions in Dementia

How to properly respond when someone with dementia asks repeated questions

Dementia causes problems with short-term memory, and thus, your loved one may repeat the same questions. It’s essential to arm yourself with the proper techniques to change the subject or stop the flow of questions before you get too frustrated by a constant barrage of repetitive questions. In this piece, we provide four tips for responding to repeated questions from someone with…

Therapeutic Fibbing: Why Experts Recommend Lying to Someone with Dementia

When it comes to dementia, sometimes bending the truth is the most appropriate course of action.

When caring for someone with dementia, honesty isn’t always the best policy. Experts often recommend therapeutic fibbing—a compassionate approach where caregivers gently bend the truth to reduce distress, avoid agitation, and meet emotional needs. Rather than correcting or confronting a loved one with dementia, therapeutic fibbing allows caregivers to enter their reality, offering comfort and reassurance. In this article, we’ll explore why…

Keeping a Dementia Journal Makes Caregiving Easier: 7 Things to Track

Use a dementia journal to solve challenging behaviors and make caregiving easier

Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel overwhelming, but keeping a dedicated dementia journal can help you stay organized, spot patterns, and reduce daily stress. By tracking key details such as mood fluctuations and medication responses, you’ll create a valuable record that enhances communication with doctors, identifies triggers, and makes caregiving more manageable. In this article, we share seven essential…

Responding to Dementia Hallucinations in Seniors

Dementia can cause hallucinations. Here are 10 tips on how to deal with them!

Dementia causes changes in the brain that may cause someone to hallucinate – To see, hear, feel, or taste something that isn’t there. Their brain is distorting or misinterpreting the senses. With any hallucination, what’s most important is to validate your loved one’s experience, respond to their feelings, and keep them safe. We share 10 ways to respond when someone with dementia…

6 Tips for Dining Out with Seniors who have Dementia

Dining out with somebody who has dementia can be challenging. Here are some tips to make for a smoother experience.

Dining out with seniors who have dementia is equally joyful and challenging. While restaurants offer valuable social connections and a break from routine, the unfamiliar environment, menu choices, and stimulation can quickly become overwhelming. With thoughtful preparation and adaptive strategies, family meals out can remain enjoyable. This article shares six practical tips to help you confidently navigate restaurant dining, from choosing dementia-friendly…

5 Helpful Dementia Care Strategies to Improve Quality of Life

5 modern dementia care strategies to improve the quality of life for seniors.

Caring for a loved one with dementia presents unique challenges that require patience, understanding, and specialized approaches. While every dementia journey is different, specific strategies can significantly improve the quality of life for both caregivers and their loved ones. This article shares five proven dementia care techniques that reduce frustration, minimize challenging behaviors, and help maintain meaningful connections. From communication adjustments to…

7 Ways to Reduce and Manage Mean Dementia Behaviors

Managing mean dementia behaviors can be frustrating. Here's how to cope better.

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be heartbreaking when they say or do hurtful things. It’s important to remember that mean behavior is often a symptom of the disease, not a personal attack.

4 Ways Reminiscence Therapy for Dementia Brings Joy to Seniors

Using reminiscence therapy for dementia patients.

When the present becomes confusing for someone with dementia, the past can be a comforting and vivid sanctuary. Reminiscence therapy taps into this powerful source of joy and connection by gently guiding your loved one back to the memories that shaped them. It’s more than just looking at old photos; it’s a meaningful way to engage their mind, affirm their identity, and…

5 Benefits of an Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

The benefits of an early diagnosis for Alzheimer's Disease.

The moment you notice a loved one struggling with memory or acting out of character, a quiet fear can take hold. It’s natural to want to dismiss early signs of cognitive decline, hoping they’re just a passing phase. However, facing that fear and seeking clarity is one of the most courageous and loving actions a family can take. An early diagnosis for…

Testing for Dementia: The Mini-Mental Status Exam Is a Great First Step

The Mini Mental Status Exam has limitations and can’t be used alone to make a dementia diagnosis

When you notice a loved one forgetting names, repeating questions, or making uncharacteristically poor decisions, your first instinct might be to ask their doctor for a “dementia test.” In many cases, that initial test is the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE); a quick, widely used screening tool that can feel like the definitive answer. But what if a score on this standard test…