Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's Articles for Caregivers
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
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
Alzheimer's: Holding On To The Dignity
I think one of the hardest tasks of love for a caregiver to a loved one with Alzheimer's, is trying to help them maintain their dignity. Dignity is defined as: the quality or state of being worthy, honored or esteemed. Read more
Finding Adult Day Care Options
Caregivers who are just beginning their journey may feel adult day care services are for later stages of their loved one’s situation. The sooner caregivers locate and enroll their family member in a program 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
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. 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
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. Read more
Respite for Two
Adult day care centers provide a break (respite) to the caregiver. Read more
Positive Aspects of Caregiving
Caring for a person with a debilitating illness is often challenging. It becomes all the more difficult when the person is in the throes of Alzheimer’s disease Read more
Tips for a Healthy and Active Lifestyle for People With Dementia
Eating healthy and staying active is good for everyone and is especially important for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. i Read more
Tips for a Dementia-Friendly Halloween
With Americans getting ready to celebrate Halloween, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is offering safety tips for family caregivers to protect loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. 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
We are Not in Kansas Any More
“There is no place like home; there is no place like home.” We can all relate to Dorothy’s sentiments. She was surrounded with enchantment—talking animals and vivid colors—yet she still longed for black and white Kansas. 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
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
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. Read more
Simple DIY Modifications for a Dementia-Friendly Home
Are you caregiving for a loved one with dementia? Does your loved one share a residence with you? If you answered yes to both of these questions, you most likely worry about your loved one’s safety, especially when he or she is alone at home. Read more
Alzheimer's Communication Tips
Communication is hard for people with Alzheimer’s disease because they have trouble remembering things. They may struggle to find words or forget what they want to say. Read more