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,…
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a “mini-stroke,” is your body’s urgent warning signal, and ignoring it could have devastating consequences.
The Mini Mental Status Exam is only a first step If you’re worried that your older adult could be showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s important to not jump to any conclusions. That’s because other medical conditions, medication side effects, or psychiatric issues could be causing dementia-like symptoms. So, the first step is to have their primary doctor do a…
So many families ask, “How is dementia diagnosed?” If you’re concerned that your older adult might have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s important to know how to get an accurate diagnosis. This is essential because other reversible health conditions could cause dementia-like symptoms. An accurate diagnosis is needed for proper treatment. Knowing what a doctor should evaluate helps you protect your older adult in case…
Managing behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease, such as agitation, aggression, or confusion, often requires careful consideration of medication options. While no drug can cure Alzheimer’s, certain medications may help ease challenging behaviors and improve quality of life for both patients and caregivers. In this piece, we examine the different types of medications for Alzheimer’s behaviors, exploring their effectiveness, potential benefits, and significant…
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…
Living with dementia and caring for someone with dementia are both challenging situations. Vineyard Bluffton shares three ways to use technology tools to make everyday life easier and better for seniors with dementia and their caregivers. Many commonly available technology innovations can be used to make life safer, easier, and more enjoyable for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and the families…
When does forgetting a name become a red flag? How can you determine if misplacing keys is a normal part of aging or a potential symptom of Alzheimer’s disease? For caregivers, these questions are constant sources of stress. The line between everyday forgetfulness and dementia can seem blurry, but it doesn’t have to be that way. By recognizing the key differences, you…
As dementia progresses, it can affect more than just memory; it may also lead to changes in vision and perception.
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