Connecting With Confidence: Overcoming Discomfort With Alzheimer’s
A diagnosis of dementia may also mean a diagnosis for loneliness. Though remaining social continues to be vitally important for people with dementia, various factors can cause an increase in isolation, such as: Discomfort on the part of family and friends who are unsure what to say (or not to say) The need to discontinue […]
Confidence-Boosting Activities for Someone With Dementia
What is it that gets you out of bed every day? Most of us have a long list of to-dos that drives us to begin the day. However much we might like to keep hitting the snooze button, having a sense of purpose is vital to our wellbeing. That is true for a person with […]
Implement Adaptive Strategies for Dementia Independence
If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, you might be inclined to do whatever you can for the person to help ease the stress of even the most basic everyday tasks. Independent living and dementia may even seem like polar opposites. However, we all have an inherent need to safeguard self-reliance and the […]
Understanding Dementia Shadowing Behavior and How to Get Relief
Primary caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s disease are often all too familiar with the challenge of trying to find a quiet moment or two alone – to get a quick shower, step into the other room, or even use the bathroom. Those diagnosed with dementia can experience enhanced fear when a loved one is out […]
Understanding the Association Between Dementia and Hearing Loss
When checking in on Mom, you find the TV is blaring, and she is asking you to repeat what you’ve just said, or even to speak up because she thinks you’re mumbling. Some degree of hearing loss is quite common in seniors, and definitely warrants staying on top of through regular hearing screenings. But there’s […]
Is It Alzheimer’s? 8 Behaviors to Watch For
You can’t quite pinpoint it, but you’ve begun to detect some changes in Mom’s behaviors recently. She’s a bit more forgetful than before. She keeps losing her car keys. Occasionally she repeats herself. Is it Alzheimer’s? Currently, over 6.5 million people age 65 and older are dealing with the disease, so it’s important to know […]
Practical Strategies for Caring for a Parent With Dementia
Caring for a parent with dementia can feel as frustrating as trying to wrap your mind around quantum physics. It involves attempting to make sense of what appears nonsensical, and responding in ways that seem illogical to everything you’ve thought until now. Yet with some basic strategies in your Alzheimer’s care toolbox, you can feel […]
Do-It-Yourself Sensory Activities to Help Minimize Agitation in Dementia
Swift changes in moods are characteristic outward indications of dementia, and can be extremely difficult for family caregivers to work through. One minute you may be enjoying a pleasant activity together, when apparently out of thin air, the senior’s countenance shifts. You might then find yourself walking on eggshells as you carefully try to resolve […]
How to Deal with False Claims from a Loved One Who Has Dementia
Envision having an enjoyable afternoon with a loved one with dementia, listening to music and playing a game of cards together, when out of the blue the person’s mood darkens. When you innocently ask what’s wrong, you get a sharp and unexpected response: “I know you took my favorite cup! Why would you do that […]
Meaningful Activities for Alzheimer’s Patients
Continuing to be active and involved in meaningful pursuits is crucial for our mental health. Most of us need to feel both successful and needed. This feeling doesn’t change because of a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, although it may require some creativity to accomplish. In fact, engaging and satisfying activities can reduce difficult symptoms of […]