May 10, 2016 by Dean Bellefeuille
Our memories link us to our past and unite us with our loved ones. One of the biggest tragedies of Alzheimer’s disease is that it robs a person of his or her precious memories, which creates confusion for the person with the disease and a sense of disconnect and frustration among his or her loved ones. If you’ve spent any length of time with a loved one with Alzheimer’s, you know firsthand how tragic the loss of memory can be. And it’s been widely accepted that once these memories have been wiped away, they’re gone for good. (more…)
March 8, 2016 by Dean Bellefeuille
With rates of Alzheimer’s disease reaching such epic numbers across the country, many of us feel overly concerned when we witness periods of forgetfulness, confusion, or disorientation in a senior loved one. And while a physician should investigate these symptoms, they may not mean what you think they mean. Certain symptoms that we traditionally associate with Alzheimer’s and dementia could be indicative of a variety of other conditions, many of which are easily treated, such as:
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November 16, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
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…)
September 29, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
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:
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September 23, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
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):
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September 17, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
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.
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September 9, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
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:
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March 19, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
Early stage Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can present with a variety of symptoms – most widely known being forgetfulness and memory loss. However, recent study findings revealed some additional indicators that may point to the onset of these diseases. (more…)
March 5, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
Can’t sleep? Or stop sneezing? A quick trip to the grocery store can take care of that. But according to new research, you may want to think twice before taking certain OTC medications, due to a new study potentially linking them to an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. (more…)
November 21, 2014 by Dean Bellefeuille
Ensuring the highest quality of home care for our clients is At Home Independent Living’s mission. Because of this, we are committed to making sure our clients and their loved ones are consistently made aware of new developments in the science of elder care. As one of the top rated home care companies in Syracuse, New York, we believe that education is an important part of the services we provide. (more…)
