Dementia Articles & News
Ah yes, it is still 90 degrees here on the East Coast, but the pumpkin spice latte was released at Starbucks about a week ago. But alas, the seasons are changing. The nights will start to get cooler, the sun will start to set earlier, and the traffic will be more congested. While these things […]
These days, a hot topic is reversing/curing, slowing, or preventing dementia. Unfortunately, statistically reliable or valid research on slowing, reversing, or preventing dementia does not exist. However, there are some things you can do that MAY reduce your risk or improve your cognition. Keep in mind that improving cognition is not the same as slowing […]
As a Gerontologist and Dementia Expert, I often cringe when others talk around someone with dementia. Talking around the person with dementia happens when the person with dementia is standing in the room and the caregiver, doctor, family member, etc. is talking about them as if they’re not there. Here is a scenario: Mary has […]
I am often asked questions such as: Should we move Mom into Assisted Living? Should we tell her that her husband died? Is it OK if Grandpa comes to my wedding? Should I take my dad home for the holiday? Is it OK to take him/her on vacation? The answer is always “It depends.” This […]
WASHINGTON (ABC7) — Caring for someone with Dementia can be challenging. Each person will find their own way of coping with, reacting and adapting to the changes it brings. Dementia Awareness Week mission is to educate family, friends, and local communities about the small things they can do to make a big difference. Gerontologist and […]
My grandfather was a World War II Navy Veteran. It was perhaps the proudest years of his life. This Memorial day, a day to remember those who died in active military service, it is also an opportunity to engage with those with Dementia. This is an important day and like many veterans, my grandfather lost […]
“I think my dad is over medicated, what do you think?” I get this question a lot. Especially now as there have been so many reports on the over medicating of older adults. Currently, there is no approved psychotropic medication for older adults, which scares families even more. I am not a medical doctor but […]
When you’ve decided that Assisted Living/Memory Care is the right option for your family member, it can be difficult to decide between so many options. The marketing person is always nice, the Executive Director is always experienced, and the company has great training programs. So what can we do to ensure we’re making the best […]
I have had the opportunity to work in many care settings both as an employee and as a consultant. I really enjoy this part of my job because so many communities offer different approaches and I can see what works for my clients and other residents. However, these great approaches often fail and the reason […]
I was making a routine visit with a client when she was repeatedly asking me to go home. We talked for a while as I tried to find out why she was so insistent about going home today of all days. Eventually, we had a moment of silence where we were holding hands for about […]