September 6, 2016 by Dean Bellefeuille
With Alzheimer’s research dollars now totaling over $900 million, is it possible the race towards finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease could be entering the home stretch? As those with family members affected by the disease watch the trials proceed and anxiously await some positive results, the variety of trials – some more successful than others – seem to be pointing to a similar end result: rather than one solution to cure Alzheimer’s, medications in conjunction with lifestyle changes will likely be needed to defeat the disease. (more…)
July 22, 2016 by Dean Bellefeuille
Imagine this happening: your frail, senior mother, who lives alone, fell last weekend, broke her thigh bone and forearm, and is currently being released from the hospital. Leafing through her discharge papers reveals the need for medications, physical therapy, medical follow-up in several weeks, and a number of symptoms to watch for that could mean a return trip to the E/R. (more…)
May 12, 2016 by Dean Bellefeuille
Family. We love them, but we don’t always get along with them. Our relationships with our parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents shape who we are as people. While some of us in Camillus, NY live in harmony with our families, others avoid family gatherings as much as possible. When an older loved one is in need of care, however, family members often find themselves forced to work together to come up with care solutions. When a hurtful family history collides with a present family caregiving need, is it possible to work together for a positive outcome?
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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…)
May 5, 2016 by Dean Bellefeuille
Vitamins are good for you; that’s what we’ve been told since we were given our first fruity Flintstones vitamin as kids. And it’s true, vitamin supplements offer numerous benefits, especially for older adults who may not be able to get their daily recommended vitamins from diet alone. However, there are times when taking vitamins can actually be dangerous to your health.
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March 16, 2016 by Dean Bellefeuille
The brain is an incredible, complex machine. While quite small, weighing in at only 3 pounds, it can produce enough energy to power a light bulb and to process information at a speed of up to 268 miles per hour. This amazing structure is also quite delicate. Despite being fairly well protected, one strong bump to the head can result in irreparable damage to the brain.
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