Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's Articles for Caregivers
Coots and the Christmas Gulls
That’s my dad with his beautiful snow-white curls framed by the lake. He still knows me, but the last stroke left him in a wheelchair, in an adult family home, and with dementia. His love of 65 years has been gone for almost two years now. Read more
Adapting Activities for People with Alzheimer's Disease
Doing things we enjoy gives us pleasure and adds meaning to our lives. People with Alzheimer's disease need to be active and do things they enjoy. However, don't expect too much. It's not easy for them to plan their days and do different tasks. Read more
After the Support Group: Notes to Remember
At last night's meeting there was a lot of talk about guilt...guilt about getting angry, not wanting to spend time with a family member with dementia, especially in the face of ongoing aggressive behavior... 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
The Ultimate Caregiver
When I think of the ideal caregiver, I immediately think of my grandmother. She is pushing 80, and has spent her entire life caring for others. I have known many professional caregivers in my lifetime and I can tell you, Read more
Talking to My Mom
My mother has Alzheimer's, a disease that affects both memory and cognitive abilities. What follows is an actual conversation I had with my mom. Read more
Convincing a Loved One to Go to a Nursing Home
Most elderly people who have a clear and compelling need to be in a long-term care facility desperately want to remain in their own homes. They want to be in a familiar setting and be close to their family members. Read more
Cataract Removal Linked to a Reduction in Dementia Risk
Undergoing cataract removal was associated with a lower risk of developing dementia among older adults. The study suggests that the improvement in the quality of life for the affected individual and family is likely considerable ... Read more
The Art of Caring: 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. Read more
How To Help Someone With Dementia Cope With a Death
After being off work for a period of time, I returned to find that one of my longer term hospice patients had died. I had spent a lot of hours with this patient, her spouse, children and hired caregivers over the course of her time on hospice. Read more
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; Read more
Protecting Loved Ones Living with Dementia During COVID-19
Families can already face heartbreaking challenges caring for loved ones with dementia, but the COVID-19 pandemic can make it even harder. One of the major questions facing caregivers is how they can best protect their loved ones from the virus. Read more
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. Read more
On The Move
One of the most anxiety-causing side effects of dementia is wandering. Nearly 60 percent of all people with dementia wander, especially in the middle stages. 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
Reducing Family Tension and Strengthening Relationships During COVID-19
With the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic still requiring most people across the country to continue to shelter in place, frustrations and tension among family members may be on the rise. 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
How to Tell Your Loved One It Is Alzheimer’s Disease
There are a number of takes on telling the person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) the truth. I would propose a couple of things to keep in mind: Read more