Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

How to Improve Life with Dementia Through Reminiscence Therapy Memory loss and Alzheimer's may seem synonymous. However, it is important to realize that long-term memory frequently remains intact long into the progression of the disease. So if you’re wondering how to improve life with dementia, tapping into those distant memories is a perfect way to foster engagement in current conversations by connecting to the past. Known as reminiscence therapy, these walks down memory lane help older adults: Better connect to others through sharing stories Decrease stress and negative emotions by shifting the focus to happier times Minimize some of the adverse effects of Alzheimer's, such as restlessness, wandering, anger, and more Instill self-confidence by bringing to mind the countless accomplishments they’ve made in addition to lives they have impacted Implementing reminiscence therapy doesn’t have to be elaborate. Start with opening a photo album and simply looking at photographs together. Let the person drive the next steps. If a certain photograph…

How to Understand and Prevent Delirium in Seniors Although dementia is often the culprit behind the confusion, forgetfulness, and disorientation experienced by older adults, there’s another condition to be mindful of. It is widely prevalent, causes similar symptoms, and most importantly, is curable: delirium. As a matter of fact, as many as ¾ of seniors experience delirium after a surgical procedure or infection, and proper diagnosis is critical to ensure correct treatment. And not only that – there are steps that can be taken to prevent delirium in seniors as well. One of the largest differentiators in delirium is its rapid onset, and its propensity to produce symptoms that come and go throughout the day, compared to dementia’s slow, steady, ongoing and rather predictable decline. For example, a senior with delirium may struggle to recognize or recall the name of a family member or friend, get confused in their surroundings, hallucinate, or have problems with communicating – but later in the day, fully recover functionality…

Living Alone with Dementia: Could It Be Possible? There has long been an assumption that once someone receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of progressive dementia, the only option is nursing home care. After all, living alone with dementia isn’t possible – or is it? Statistics demand the need for all of us to think this through for those we love, and perhaps even for ourselves one day. Nearly 61% of seniors with dementia in Canada are living outside of long term care or nursing homes. What’s even more concerning is that much of this population lives alone with no identified caregiver. There are several key areas of concern for a senior living alone with dementia: The ability to manage activities of daily living independently, such as personal hygiene, meals, household management, and problem-solving A heightened vulnerability to senior scams and exploitation The isolation that stems from a fear of unfamiliar places and situations as confusion increases Yet we also know that remaining at home throughout ageing…

Connect More Effectively with This Engaging Activity for Dementia Imagine for a moment how it would feel to struggle with the cognitive challenges of dementia. The people who are closest to you are now unfamiliar. The words that would roll off your tongue without a second thought are now just out of reach. In fact, the world as you once knew it has completely turned upside down, leaving you longing for a familiar foothold. One of the kindnesses imparted by dementia is the long-term memories that often remain intact long after short-term memories have subsided. It’s why connecting seniors with dementia to the past is often an incredibly effective way to engage them – through music, photos, movies, and reminiscing. We can now add a new activity for dementia to the list that’s showing remarkable results: virtual reality. Skip Rizzo, director for medical virtual reality at the USC Institute for Creative Technologies, has been using the technology to help veterans experiencing PTSD. He’s now expanding his reach to older adults – beginning with his…

Are We Closer to a Cure for Alzheimer’s? See What Scientists Have Just Discovered If there’s one constant in the race to solve the puzzle of Alzheimer’s, it’s change. It seems as though whenever researchers begin to get a grasp on one piece, new information shifts their hypotheses in a different direction. That’s certainly the case with the astounding new development in the progression of the disease – hopefully bringing us one step closer to an effective treatment or even a cure for Alzheimer’s. For the first time ever, researchers from the University of Cambridge have been able to study human data instead of animal models. Their findings point to an origin of the disease in multiple areas of the brain, rather than a single location that starts a chain reaction, as previously surmised from studies of the brains of mice. Dr. Georg Meisl of Cambridge’s Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry explains, “The thinking had been that Alzheimer’s develops in a way that’s similar to many cancers: the aggregates form in one region and then spread through the…

Dementia and Sleeplessness: How to Resolve This Common Problem If it seems like a senior with Alzheimer’s has completely rewritten the rules on when and how to sleep, you’re not dreaming. For reasons that are not yet completely understood, dementia and sleeplessness often go hand in hand, with changes to the circadian rhythm bringing about drowsy days and sleepless nights. The development of the disease is certainly one contributing factor. Damage to brain cells causes increased weakness, making everyday tasks and activities exhausting. Medication side effects from regularly-prescribed dementia treatments can further exacerbate the problem. Why a Good Night’s Sleep Is Crucial for a Senior with Alzheimer's Decreased sleep quality in dementia can result in an increase in delusions and restlessness, and may cause serious safety concerns, including the potential for the senior to wander away and become lost or injured. Not just that, but a senior who is sleepy during the day may also be less likely to participate in healthy activities, such…