Care Strategies for the Middle Stages of Dementia: Part 2 of 3

Getting the news that a senior family member has been diagnosed with dementia is life-changing. Thinking through the many different facets and factors associated with the disease as well as its effects, both at present and in the future, can be overwhelming. In this three-part series, we will examine the early, middle and later stages […]

Caring for a Loved One in the Early Stages of Dementia: Part 1 of 3

Receiving the news that an older family member has been diagnosed with the early stages of dementia is life-changing. Thinking through the various aspects and factors of the disease, both now as well as in the future, may be overwhelming. Over the next few months, this three-part series will examine the early, middle and later […]

Top Tips for Minimizing Sundowning in the Elderly with Dementia

As the sun begins to set, many of us can relax after a long day and prepare for a peaceful evening to unwind – unless you’re providing care for a person with dementia. Sundowning, or sundown syndrome, is a frequent occurrence in Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, and can result in restless, sleepless […]

Caring for Someone with Dementia: How Respite Care Can Help

Getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia for a family member you love is heartbreaking, and will immediately result in a number of questions and concerns. What will life be like for my senior loved one? How will the condition impact daily functioning and behaviors? Where will he or she live? […]

Safety at Home: Modification Tips to Create a Dementia-Friendly Space

The day-to-day dilemmas of providing care for someone you care about with dementia are constantly changing. Today, the challenge may be frustration with the lack of ability to communicate effectively. Tomorrow, it might be wandering and seeking to go “home.” There may be sleepless nights if sundowning is an issue, or aggressive actions and words […]

Safety Tips for Traveling with Someone with Alzheimer’s

After spending a significant amount of time in social distancing and isolation, this summer may lead you more than usual to want to journey to visit family and friends, or even to simply encounter a change of scenery and some enjoyable activities. And if you provide care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, having a […]

The Benefits of Reminiscing: Memory Therapy for Dementia Patients

Memories…each and every day we are creating new ones, but there is something particularly heartwarming about revisiting those from long ago. For older adults with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, with a decreasing ability to hold short-term memories, those from many years’ past are all the more important. In fact, memory therapy for dementia […]

Help Senior Loved Ones With Dementia Enjoy the Holiday Season

Living with dementia is challenging on any given day, but add in disruptions to routine, additional visitors, decorations, and noise, and you might just have a recipe for elevated agitation, stress, and discomfort. The key to enjoying the holiday season, both for your family and a senior loved one with dementia, depends on pre-planning, remaining […]

Dementia Symptoms Can Become More Pronounced During the Halloween Season: Learn What to Do

There’s definitely no age limit in experiencing the excitement of Halloween! Older adults generally are delighted by visits from trick-or-treaters, and also the chance to experience fall treats and fun decorations. However, if a cherished older adult is contending with dementia symptoms, certain aspects of the Halloween season can be downright frightening. All of a […]

Activities to Keep Active and Engaged when Living with Alzheimer’s Disease

Finding purpose, meaning, and joy in the world around us is very important for our wellbeing, and that doesn’t change when someone is identified as having Alzheimer’s disease. Yet continuing to remain involved with hobbies and interests may become difficult, since it’s not unusual for individuals during the early stages of dementia to withdraw from […]