Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's Articles for Caregivers
Some ABCs for Every Alzheimer's Caregiver
A: Accept that some of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make lie ahead. For example, when does nursing home care become the best or, perhaps, the only option?
Monkey Business Images
Labor Day T.R.A.V.E.L. Tips for Those Traveling with a Loved One with Dementia
Caregivers taking a trip with a loved one who has dementia should follow the T.R.A.V.E.L. tips so the journey is as smooth as possible.
7 Labor Day Tips for Traveling with a Loved One with Dementia
If you are one of the many people taking an end-of-summer getaway this Labor Day weekend, there are special steps you should take if you are also traveling with someone who has dementia.
Finding Our Way Through Ambiguity
When I began caring for my mother with Alzheimer’s disease, I knew nothing about memory loss, Alzheimer’s behaviors or the intensity of need that caring demands.
Tips: Is It Time to Stop Driving?
Some people are able to continue driving in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, but it requires ongoing evaluation to ensure safety.
Embracing Alzheimer's Disease
A friend who works in a special needs classroom at our middle school was talking about a delightful new student they have in their program this year
The Uninvited “Guest”
So help me heaven, if I don’t find humor in what is now happening in our lives, I don’t think I’ll ever get through it. It started out so subtly—my husband asking me what day it was.
Nobody Ever Told Me: Lessons from a Dementia Care Partner
A 7 am call woke me. “Bob had a fall and didn’t call for help. He’s okay.” My husband resided at a memory care facility. He fell often, i.e. one of the reasons for his admittance.
4 Home Safety Tips for Families Affected by Dementia
As part of National Safety Month this June, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering 4 home safety tips for families caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness.
Traveling With a Person Who Has Alzheimer’s
Safety should be the number one consideration in traveling with a person with Alzheimer’s. Wandering and becoming anxious may be more likely because you’re leaving the familiar routine and environment.
Persevering Through Mid-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease
Caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a difficult task as each day brings unique challenges and the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior.
Follow the H.E.A.R.T
Valentine’s Day can create challenges for relationships in which a loved one has dementia. Because of the illness, they cannot express themselves or remember things as they did before.
©Ian Allenden /123RF.COM
A Family Affair
“Doctor, are you sure?” I questioned. “We’re never sure, but all indications point to Alzheimer’s as your mom’s diagnosis. Mary, this disease is not something your 88 year old dad can take on alone. It is going to be a family affair.”
What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which people have more memory or thinking problems than other people their age. The symptoms of MCI are not as severe as those of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.
Helping Mom Remember: Coping with Dementia
“Am I 90 Yet? Mom asked. I heard those Unknown Objectwords many times the last year of mother’s life. My mother’s memory was fading. Nevertheless, she was still sharp in certain areas, for example;
©Katarzyna Białasiewicz /123RF.COM
Life Lessons Are Not Always Easy
This week has taken me on a journey I never wanted to take. For the first time, my mother does not know me.
Respite for Two
Adult day care centers provide a break (respite) to the caregiver while providing health services, therapeutic services and social activities for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, ...
A Different Vow
"Do you know where my husband is? Because he's a good one and I'd hate to lose him." This is her third husband, so Holly, my 80-something-year-old patient, has room to judge.
Surviving Caregiving with Dignity, Love and Kindness
This article is about how I learned to become a caregiver and what I found to be the 10 most useful things to know in caregiving—not only for myself, but also for Les.
Make Mealtime Easier for People with Dementia
Meals can be a challenging time for people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Maintaining familiar routines and serving favorite foods can help the person know what to expect and feel more relaxed.
