May 13, 2021 by
One of the first things many people want to know when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia is what the dementia progression stages will look like. We know that the unmistakable sign of dementia is the increasing decline in cognitive abilities as well as the skills needed to take care of everyday life. However, each individual progresses through these changes at a different pace. There are a variety of factors that may affect the rate of decline, such as:
April 14, 2021 by
Even when memory loss and confusion escalate through the advancement of Alzheimer’s, there is a remarkable reprieve that often occurs. Previously termed “terminal lucidity,” it’s more frequently now known as “paradoxical lucidity.” It signifies a sudden, short-term regaining of clarity to a nearly pre-dementia cognitive state. During this time, the effects can vary from nonverbal but emotional connections to noteworthy cognitive recovery.
February 23, 2021 by
With a great deal of negative news in the forefront of 2020, it is worth reflecting on a few of the remarkable achievements the year brought – including the advancements in dementia research. Katie McDonough, director of programs and services at the Alzheimer’s Association, shares, “There are many things that we’re learning and it’s an exciting time for Alzheimer’s research.”
October 14, 2020 by
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia requires creativity, patience, and empathy, being able to step away from your individual logic and reasoning and realize why a specific behavior is occurring, and then to know just how to effectively deal with dementia behaviors. That is certainly the case with an older adult who will not change his or her clothing, no matter how dirty or unkempt an outfit has become. (more…)
February 19, 2020 by
Agitation is among the more difficult symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and it may be incredibly hard for family members to control. One of the keys is in taking steps to deal with agitation before it is felt and conveyed by the senior loved one, which involves keeping track of what has caused these feelings in the past, and creating a home environment in which those stimulants are removed or minimized. These strategies can help: (more…)
February 12, 2020 by
The intricate steps needed to enable us to see are mind-boggling. Within the blink of an eye, our brains are able to take transmitted specifics of the world all around us, translate that information based on input from other senses, memories, and thoughts, and then form an understanding of that information to make us aware of what we are seeing. (more…)
December 18, 2019 by
After 16 long years without any viable treatment options for Alzheimer’s, there is some hope on the horizon, in a stunning reversal on the formerly-rejected antibody therapy, aducanumab. The most recent research reveals that high doses of the medication do, in fact, reduce cognitive decline in early Alzheimer’s. (more…)
August 21, 2019 by
They are currently understood to cause various short-term side effects, such as memory loss and confusion, but new research links a number of the stronger anticholinergic drugs (such as those prescribed for Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, depression, and overactive bladder) to a markedly increased risk for dementia. (more…)
July 15, 2019 by
Of the many challenges pertaining to providing independent living and home health care for a senior loved one with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association indicates that the most prevalent challenge with dementia is personal hygiene issues, for a number of reasons: (more…)
May 16, 2019 by
Of the many effects of Alzheimer’s disease, perhaps one of the most alarming is the person’s propensity for wandering and the potential dangers that can arise if the senior becomes disoriented or lost. Dementia wandering can occur if the senior is: (more…)