Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

5 Surprising Things That Make Alzheimer’s Worse Managing dementia can be a complex task that requires constantly changing your tactics. However, it is also important to recognize and address factors that can worsen Alzheimer’s disease. By learning and understanding these triggers and implementing effective management strategies, we can learn to support our loved ones better.  When caring for a senior with the disease, you need to be aware of the following potential complications and contact their physician for recommendations where applicable.  -Hearing impairment. Untreated age-related hearing loss has been found to have a significant impact on decline for our loved ones. Surprisingly, even a minor issue such as wax buildup in the ears can exacerbate the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. -Too much sugar. Sugar cravings are common for seniors with dementia, often leading to heightened irritability and agitation. This becomes more problematic when short-term memory loss causes overeating, as they may have forgotten they have already…

“I’m Not Going”: Handling Alzheimer’s Stubbornness with Compassion When a loved one living with Alzheirmer’s disease becomes resistant to everyday activities, it can be frustrating and at times heartbreaking. When a loved one refuses to take a bath, their medication or even refuses to leave the house can leave the family member or caregivers overwhelmed. But with understanding, patience, and the right tips, you can navigate these challenges with grace. Why the Resistance? Confusion and loss of Control: People with Alzheimer’s experience changes in their brain that can make small simple tasks feel overwhelming and confusing. Stubbornness can be a way of reasserting control in a world that increasingly feels out of their grasp. Fear and Anxiety:Changes in memory and perception can create anxiety around new places, people or routines. Resistance may be an expression of this fear. Physical Discomfort: Sometimes, what appears as stubbornness can be a sign of an unmet need like pain, hunger, or the need to use the bathroom. Tips for Overcoming Stubbornness…

Understanding Delirium: Protecting Seniors and Preserving Well-Being Dementia and Alzheime’s disease garner significant attention when it comes to senior health and well-being.  However, there’s another condition that often affects older adults and can lead to further complications: delirium.  Delirium presents with a sudden onset of confusion, disorientation, and changes in behavior that can be distressing for both seniors and their loved ones. What is Delirium and How does it Differ from Dementia? Delirium is a serious medical condition characterized by a rapid decline in mental function. Unlike dementia, which develops gradually over time, delirium comes on quickly- within hours or days. Here is how to tell them apart: Dementia: A chronic, progressive decline and memory, thinking and behavioral skills. Delirium: A sudden, acute state of confusion, often reversible with treatment of the underlying cause. Causes of Delirium in Seniors Many Factors can trigger delirium in older adults including: Infections: Urinary tract infections, pneumonia, or…

3 Ideas for Creative Alzheimer’s Activities Utilizing Food Our food has a unique ability to bring families and friends together and create lasting memories. From special occasions like birthdays and holidays to everyday routines, food can play a central role in our lives. Alzheimer’s activities that involve food can be both effective and creative, tapping into the power of this universal connection. By doing food-related activities, they can be a wonderful way to connect with someone with dementia. These activities will help to engage all of the senses and may help spark memories or create new ones.  Here are some activities that you may want to try: cooking together, baking cookies, making a salad, going for a picnic in the park. Always try to remember to pick an activity that is safe and enjoyable for a loved one with dementia. Decorating. By frosting cupcakes and remembering the treats Mom made for school events or birthday parties. By rolling out cookie dough and using cookie cutters and sprinkles to make them festive for an upcoming holiday,…

Did You Know There Are 4 Different Types of Alzheimer’s? For decades, experts have focused on one basic idea to understand Alzheimer’s, even though the disease can vary in symptoms and progression from one person to another.  New research has suggested that Alzheirmer’s can be categorized into four different types. This new perspective can provide valuable insights into the disease and that can potentially lead to more personalized treatments for patients In a recent collaboration study involving the US, Sweden, Canada and Korea have revealed intriguing findings about Alzheimer’s disease. Contrary to the belief of a single universal diagnosis. The research has identified 4 distinct variants that can occur in a significant  percentage of cases, ranging from 18% to 30%. This shift in understanding is helping researchers in comprehending the diverse manifestations of the disease among our loved ones. With these findings, specialists are now able to customize treatment plans based on the particular subgroup diagnosed. In this research, data…

Living Alone with Dementia: Could It Be Possible? Contrary to popular belief, having a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of progressive dementia does not automatically mean that going to a nursing home is the only option. Living alone with dementia is possible with the right support and accommodations. It is important for everyone to consider the implications of the statistics for our loved ones and potentially ourselves in the future.  In Canada there are around 61% of our seniors who have been diagnosed with dementia and are not residing in long term care or nursing homes. What is even more worrisome is that a large percentage are living alone without a designated caregiver. There are many key areas of concern for a loved one living alone with dementia: Do they have the ability to manage daily activities independently, such as bathing, preparing a meal, light house duties, laundry and problem solving Are they able to take the proper steps to help protect themselves from falling victim to those who scam Isolation and…