November 16, 2015 by
One of the hardest parts of Alzheimer’s disease is that, as the disease progresses, communication and connection become more and more difficult. In fact, relating to someone with Alzheimer’s can be daunting, even for medical professionals. As Marcia Childress, University of Virginia School of Medicine’s associate professor of medical education explains, “It’s frightening to take care of someone you don’t understand.” (more…)
November 4, 2015 by
Taking the kids to soccer practice, holding down a full-time job, trying to keep up with friends, all on top of caring for an aging loved one – a family caregiver’s job is never done. Caring for a loved one, along with all your other responsibilities, can be stressful, and if we could choose one perfect gift to bestow upon family caregivers, it would be a blanket of peace to relieve the stress and replace it with a sense of calm purpose. So, in honor of National Family Caregivers Month, settle in with a warm cup of tea and enjoy these peace-inducing tips! (more…)
September 29, 2015 by
It’s perfectly normal for those impacted by Alzheimer’s to experience feelings of frustration when formerly simple tasks suddenly seem insurmountable. And it’s also natural for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s to take over these tasks to alleviate that frustration. We at At Home Independent Living, however, believe in fostering as much independence and self-worth as possible in those with Alzheimer’s, and suggest the following tips in the face of frustrations:
September 23, 2015 by
If you’ve found yourself stepping into the world of Alzheimer’s with a senior loved one, it’s safe to say that you’ll be discovering some new challenges and changes that may leave you wondering how to best meet your loved one’s needs. Although Alzheimer’s affects each individual uniquely, the disease can be broken down in a general way into the following three stages (and, we’ve provided some care tips for each stage):
September 17, 2015 by
In our last blog, we shared some of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease; but what you may not realize is that depression and Alzheimer’s can present very similar symptoms. For example, memory, concentration, and even motor skills can be affected by both conditions. It’s important to understand and pay close attention to the differences, and then share what you’re seeing in your senior loved one with his or her doctor.
September 9, 2015 by
You may be noticing subtle changes in Mom’s behaviors – she’s becoming a bit more forgetful, perhaps – and you find yourself wondering: could this possibly be the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease? If this thought has crossed your mind, start by reviewing these ten basic warning signs of Alzheimer’s:
(more…)
May 27, 2015 by
We’ve been sharing a plethora of benefits, both emotional and physical, to seniors remaining social, but here’s one that may surprise you: socialization may actually reduce cognitive decline. Since some of the top concerns of aging include the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, memory loss, and other cognitive problems, it’s certainly worth looking into the potential benefits of socialization in these areas. For example: (more…)
May 18, 2015 by
It’s no surprise that seniors who stay social feel better emotionally, but do the benefits of socialization improve physical health as well? A number of studies point to just that, including the three below that offer compelling reasons to ensure your senior loved ones maintain social ties:
May 11, 2015 by
Thanks to the Internet and the recent boom of social media use, people of all ages and backgrounds are now easily and instantly connected at the touch of a button, and seniors are no exception! In fact, more than half of all online seniors over age 65 are using Facebook, accounting for over 30% of all seniors. As we discussed in our last blog, staying social is crucial for the health and wellbeing of seniors, and social media provides a great platform to stave off isolation. Just a few of social media’s many benefits include: (more…)
May 7, 2015 by
Perhaps one of the most disturbing images we conjure up when thinking of the elderly is one of utter loneliness, spending long hours remembering the “good old days” or simply staring off into space as depression sinks in. While it’s true that aging can involve a great deal of loss – friends, loved ones, the ability to drive, perhaps some degree of mobility – it can also be a season of new relationships and discoveries. The key is in staying social and avoiding senior isolation. (more…)