What it takes to get a dementia diagnosis 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 dementia-like symptoms could be caused by other reversible health conditions. An accurate diagnosis is needed for proper treatment. Knowing…
Get the essential facts about Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s is a disease, not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting about 1 in 8 people over age 65. It causes 60 – 80% of all dementia cases and is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. We explain what Alzheimer’s disease is, common…
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…
Worried about someone’s memory or cognitive function? Do you wonder if your parent or spouse’s increased forgetfulness or strange behavior is a normal part of aging or if they’re signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia? It’s easy to make that assumption, but it’s important to get more information before thinking the worst. There are big differences between the normal forgetfulness that comes…
As dementia progresses, it can affect more than just memory; it may also lead to changes in vision and perception. These shifts can cause confusion, frustration, or unusual behaviors in older adults, making daily life more challenging for both them and their caregivers. In this Daily Caring piece, we explore three common eyesight-related changes linked to dementia and the behaviors they may trigger.…
What you need to know about vascular dementia Vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. People with vascular dementia have problems with reasoning, judgment, and memory. These symptoms can appear suddenly or they could be mild at first and gradually worsen. It can be challenging to diagnose because it can occur together with Alzheimer’s and the…
Baby dolls for Alzheimer’s patients are therapeutic A helpful, non-drug way to calm and soothe agitated seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is to give them a soft, lifelike baby doll to cuddle. These therapy dolls can even be effective in calming someone with severe agitation or other significant behavioral challenges. We explain why therapy dolls can work, share tips for introducing…
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…
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