Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's Articles for Caregivers
Hospitalization and Dementia: The Role of the Caregiver
Inevitable as the progression of the disease itself, hospitalization will happen to a person with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Read more
Linking the Past to the Present - The Benefits of Reminiscing
Older people often lose what has defined them: family, spouses, friends, careers, and their homes. Reminiscence is a free-flowing process of thinking or talking about one’s experiences to reflect on and recapture significant events of a lifetime. Read more
Piece By Piece
Alzheimer’s disease came into my life in January of 2001, and at the time, it seemed like the lesser of two evils. “It’s either a brain tumor or Alzheimer’s disease,” ... Read more
Hydration and Delirium
Delirium is a mental disturbance characterized by new or worsening confusion, changes in level of consciousness or hallucinations. Delirium is different from the slow progression of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Read more
9 Memorial Day Weekend Travel Tips for Families Impacted by Dementia
On Memorial Day weekend, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is providing important tips to families traveling with someone living with dementia. Read more
Managing Incontinence with Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) refers to a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain's frontal lobes. Read more
Does Approach Matter?
If you are providing care for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s, it might seem that the word “no” has become a natural response to any question. “Ready for your shower?” “No.” “Are you hungry?” “No.” Read more
Early Detection of Alzheimer's
Dementia itself is not a disease, but rather a set of symptoms that accompany specific diseases. Read more
Protect Your Loved Ones from Wandering
A family member’s worst nightmare is when their loved one or care recipient wanders off or goes missing. Thoughts can turn to the worst-case scenario,... Read more
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.” Read more
Understanding Challenging Behavior
While being a caregiver to unusual or so-called “difficult” behaviors, it is quite common for persons with dementia to display these types of behaviors... Read more
Dementia-Friendly 4th of July
Fireworks and gatherings are staples of the 4th of July holiday, but these can create unique challenges for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. Read more
Caregiver Tips for Traveling
Traveling long distances with a person in the early stage of dementia may still be quite enjoyable. As dementia advances, however, traveling becomes unpredictable as the person becomes more confusing. Read more
Winter Weather Wandering Prevention
Cold temperatures, freezing wind chill and snow and ice are common in many parts of the country during the winter months, but they can pose an added danger to individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease... Read more
COVID-19 Guidance for Caregivers of People Living with Dementia
If you care for someone living with dementia, it’s important that you know what you can do to protect yourself and others during the COVID-19 pandemic and what additional steps you can take to protect your loved one. Read more
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. Read more
Hearing Aids Slow Cognitive Decline
As the world population ages, the number of people living with dementia and other types of cognitive impairment continues to rise. Safe and affordable interventions to prevent or slow age-related cognitive decline are greatly needed. Read more
Making Joyful Holidays for People with Memory Disorders
For those living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, the excitement of the holiday season might have the opposite effect. Baylor College of Medicine experts have a few tips to help make this season as joyful as possible... Read more
7 Essential Do’s and Don'ts for People Caring for Caregivers
I decided to write this article to provide some tips to the wonderful people who are caring for caregivers. My father was diagnosed with Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome, a form of dementia resulting from chronic alcohol abuse. Read more
Identifying and Addressing Caregiver Depression
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is providing tips to help family caregivers identify and address the signs of depression. Read more