Everyone slips up and says the wrong thing from time to time. Perhaps your objective was to compliment a friend on her new haircut, but you came across sounding like you were criticizing her previous hairstyle. Selecting our words carefully is always important, but even more so when speaking with a person with dementia. The…
There’s something so special about the kitchen. It is the first stop kids make once they arrive home from school, in search of a snack as well as the chance to share about their day. It’s the spot family members gather to prepare holiday meals together. It’s also a place to warm up a cup…
Salt and pepper. Macaroni and cheese. Peanut butter and jelly. Some things are just supposed to go together. One combination you want to avoid, however, is dementia and boredom. Studies have revealed that boredom’s effect on dementia can lead to an increase in: Hallucinations Aggression Wandering Delirium Depression Agitation Anxiety And more In addition to…
When we think about dementia, the first thing that typically comes to mind is the loss of memory. Cognitive decline is a hallmark effect of Alzheimer’s disease along with other forms of dementia, but there are so many other areas of life which are impacted as well. In fact, each of the five senses may…
Wouldn’t it be helpful if there was an Alzheimer’s care manual, with step-by-step details on what to expect at each and every stage of the disease? While there are a few general commonalities during the progression of dementia, each person’s experience is unique. This makes it difficult to know what to expect on any given…
You’ve been taking care of Mom since her dementia diagnosis. You’ve been working through many of the challenging symptoms. However one day, she looks at you and calls you by a different name – that of her husband or younger brother or father. Do you correct her, reminding her that you are her son? Should…
After a surgical procedure or hospitalization, the physician may recommend rehab in a facility prior to when the person returns home. This is usually a short-term period of intensive therapy to promote healing and recovery. However, the idea of moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home even for a few weeks or months…
Pacing. Fidgeting. Wandering. When you begin to notice these signs in someone you love with dementia, it’s time to take action before they escalate to agitation, aggression, or leaving the home. But figuring out why the person is feeling restless is sometimes half the battle. For starters, ask yourself the following questions: Could the person…
Are you finding the need to turn the television up louder for a senior you love? Chatting more loudly? Repeating conversations your senior loved one missed hearing the first time? Hearing loss in older adults is not uncommon. But fresh research is pointing to a startling connection between hearing loss and an elevated risk for…
Confusion. Disorientation. Memory loss. While these are definitely hallmark warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, they may also arise from taking specific medications. Rather than immediately assuming an inevitable diagnosis of dementia, review the following list of prescription medications that mimic dementia-like symptoms. Pain Medications Opioids in particular are reported to…