Most of us have our yearly family traditions during the holidays. Maybe your uncle always carves the turkey at Thanksgiving. Or perhaps you and your siblings decorate the Christmas tree each year. Whatever it may be, these traditions bring us all familiarity, comfort, and joy. However, when your loved one has dementia, family gatherings during this time of year can be a little more challenging. Helping loved ones with dementia [...]
The aging brain undergoes many changes. A lot of these are completely normal. Increased forgetfulness and impaired thinking can be worrisome. Knowing what's normal and what's not is a challenge for many. Do you sometimes have a harder time learning new things than you used to? You possibly have forgotten where you put your glasses or keys on occasion. Often, these moments of mild forgetfulness are normal for the aging [...]
Many people had dogs when they were growing up. They usually have fond memories of their furry friends. For dementia patients, touching and cuddling with a puppy can trigger those positive memories and lift spirits, mood, and overall well-being. North Shore Animal League America conducts a program called Shelter Pet Outreach Team (SPOT). They bring puppies to seniors in long term care facilities. This ABC News article shows the power that simply touching and petting puppies [...]
Much of the aging population now lives in long term care facilities. Advocating for aging loved ones and finding the help you need is challenging. If you do not live nearby, it can be even more difficult. Yet there are ways to ensure your loved one is receiving the care they want and deserve. It is a big part of what we do at Arizona Elder Care. There are countless issues [...]
Keeping dementia patients active and involved in their lives can be a challenge. Knowing how to help them maintain everyday skills can seem impossible for caregivers and families. But doing this can improve their self-esteem and help them keep a sense of dignity. There are many benefits to keeping dementia patients active and involved. For the patient, it can bring enjoyment, reduce isolation, and help them maintain some independence. And [...]
Recreating the past for people with dementia has been a powerful tool used for many years. Imagine a place that could take those with dementia back to the happier times in their lives. It could it be therapeutic for both the dementia patient and their loved ones. This is exactly the vision Scott Tarde and Lisa Tyburski are working to make a reality. Reminiscence Therapy (RT) is used to provide comfort to those dealing [...]
Sharing stories helps couples facing dementia. The patient diagnosed with dementia is not the only one affected. Their partner shares the burden as well. The New York Times reports one way people can cope is by sharing stories. An eight week storytelling workshop at Northwestern University is helping couples facing dementia. Each week, the couples are assigned a specific prompt to write about their lives together. They are then able to share the [...]
Recognizing the early signs of dementia is not always so straight forward. Most of us think of dementia as a loss in memory. However, the early signs of dementia can include changes in characteristics like behavior, mood and motivation. This article in Health.com reports on a group of experts who are trying to establish a new diagnosis called the Mild Behavioral Impairment (MBI). This new way of recognizing the early signs [...]
Your doctor has mentioned the importance of exercise in dementia prevention, right? It is true that exercise can have delay the development and severity of the disease. In a study done at McMaster University with a group of 1646 adults 65 years and older, walking just three times per week was linked to huge benefits. Exercise helped postpone or prevent the development of cognitive problems. The Huffington Post reports that [...]
Caring for aging loved ones can be exhausting, time consuming, frustrating and draining. Regardless of whether your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia, pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, or congestive heart failure (CHF) to name only a few, the toll it takes on the caregiver is exponential. "Avoiding Caregiver Burnout" in the New York Times gives us a look at the struggles that millions of aging adult children [...]
