Five Ways to Help Those with Memory Problems Cope During the Holidays
The excitement of the holiday season can become stressful for anyone: from shopping for gifts and cooking lavish meals, to organizing get togethers and traveling, it’s easy to become overwhelmed […]
Can Sleep Deprivation Cause Alzheimers
(AP photo) The physical and psychological benefits of getting a good night’s sleep have been well documented. Regular sleep has been shown to help fight stress, premature aging, weight gain, […]
Working Memory. Memory Working.
As we age, or for those of us who develop degenerative brain diseases, keeping more than a couple things in our minds at the same time can be problematic. Don’t get too discouraged just yet, because working memory is something that can be improved with effort.
Handling Dementia with Teenagers at Home
Surviving the teenage years of children can be hard enough on a parent; throw in a spouse with dementia and you’ve got yourself a pot of boiling stress and anxiety for a caregiver.
Comfort Food – Grandma’s Cooking
I’m sure we all have favorite dishes our grandmothers’ have cooked for us. Whether it’s cake, pie, or meatloaf and mashed potatoes — somehow certain foods conjure up memories that last a lifetime.
Distinguishing Between Alzheimer’s & Dementia
Having several family members that struggle with Alzheimer’s as well as dementia, there’s one question that seems to constantly circulate in my mind which I never quite get an answer to: “What exactly is the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?”
Alzheimer’s Myths, Rumors & Tall Tales
Let’s take a moment to address the misinformation about Alzheimer’s and get the facts straight so these rumors can be stopped dead in their tracks.
Alzheimer’s Risk Factors & Prevention
Is Alzheimer’s disease preventable? It’s a question many ask but few seem to get a straight answer to.
Stepping into the Leadership Role
Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia involve a progressive loss of one’s memory, thinking, language, and self-care skills. Someone with dementia eventually loses the capacity to be completely independent, […]
Communicating with Alzheimer’s Patients
I recently read an article in Parade about a speech-pathology professor at Ohio State University, Michelle S. Bourgeois, who is finding new ways to communicate with Alzheimer and Dementia patients.
Comfort Care for Advanced Dementia
The prestigious medical journal, Archives of Internal Medicine, published a study last month showing that a significant portion of Medicare expenditures for people with advanced dementia is spent on aggressive […]
Music Therapy for Dementia
In a recent New York Times article, “Giving Alzheimer’s Patients Their Way, Even Chocolate,” the use of food, art, music, and exercise were highlighted as means to generate positive emotions […]
Brain Exercise: A Puzzling Experience
When I was younger, I recall my grandmother sitting in her chair, pencil in hand, “working the puzzles.” I never inquired any further. I never asked what “the puzzles” were […]
Early Dementia: Enter their world
I was able to transfer some of what I learned from my profession to experiences with my grandmother in the last years of her life. The premise is very simple; […]
