Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care

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.…

Caring for elders can overwhelm us Nicole Johnson, a memory therapy coach, works with a patient at Amy’s Helping Hands   For caregivers, worrying about an aging relative is stressful enough. Taking care of two loved ones kicks up that stress level rise significantly. This is the daily reality for Denise and her sister who are responsible for the care of two aging relatives. For them, caregiving took a difficult turn when both relatives needed additional help over a few days. With one having hip surgery and the other being transferred…

Questions to Ask Aging Parents Today for a Better Tomorrow We’re all familiar with Benjamin Franklin’s sage advice: “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” This has special significance when it comes to knowing the questions to ask aging parents as you plan for the future: from the practical knowledge of what their wishes are for their remaining lifetime, to what their favorite flavor of ice cream was as a child – and anything in between. It’s a good idea to let your parents know that you have some questions you’d like to ask,…

Create Your All-Star Care Team in 5 Steps What family caregivers often need most is sound advice, regular respite and an extra set of hands. Friends may scatter when one becomes the primary caregiver for a spouse or parent, and not everyone has siblings or other family members they can depend on to share the load. A carefully selected care team is a necessary complement to a loved one’s detailed care plan. Step 1: Draft a list of prospective team members Write down the name of each family member, friend or neighbor with whom you regularly…

Creating a Legacy for Your Parent A common regret of adult children who have lost their parents is the wish that they had asked and understood more about their own family history. This is particularly true for family caregivers, whose focus on the present is necessitated by the practical concerns of getting through the day. Making time to learn more about the past seems like a luxury for many caregivers. But taking that time may be beneficial to those we love and care for and provide an important opportunity to redefine and enhance…

The Difficult Emotions Every Family Caregiver Battles – and How to Let Them Go If you are feeling a bit discouraged in your role as caregiver, take heart; you’re in good company. Providing care help for a loved one is perhaps the most complex role we can hold: highly rewarding on the one hand, while simultaneously frustrating and ever-evolving, frequently resulting in feelings of doubt about whether we are up to the challenge and providing the most effective care.  It’s why a number of family caregivers struggle with some or all of these types of feelings:  Guilt: It…

Improve Senior Health in Six Easy Steps Lots of people have cast aside their New Year's resolutions by the end of January, but who says resolutions should only be made at the start of the year? There is no time like the present to start a new habit or goal, especially if you’re trying to improve senior health and wellness. We have six recommendations you can implement today. Select one to start, or jump right into all of them to attain the most benefit: Make an appointment for a physical. Instead of waiting for an injury or illness…

How to Handle Aggression in Dementia with the 6 R’s Of the many challenging behaviors common in dementia, perhaps the most difficult to manage is aggression. A senior who has always been mild-mannered can suddenly lash out in outbursts that are truly frightening: hitting, yelling, cursing, kicking, biting, or throwing objects. How can you, as a family caregiver, safely help restore a sense of calm? First of all, remind yourself that aggression in dementia is caused by the disease. It’s not something the person can control, and it is not intentional.…