Category Archives: Alzheimer’s

Caregiver Guide: Dos and Don’ts for Engaging Loved Ones with Cognitive Decline

Alzheimer's
long-distance caregivers need support

Caring for an older adult with cognitive difficulties, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, requires patience, empathy, and a thoughtful approach to daily activities. As our loved ones with dementia might have communication challenges, we become more attuned to observing body language and facial expressions. The right activities can provide a sense of purpose, stimulate … Continue reading Caregiver Guide: Dos and Don’ts for Engaging Loved Ones with Cognitive Decline →

Seven Signs That an Aging Parent Needs Help

Aging in Place, Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Parents, Alzheimer's, Baby Boomers, Care Managers, Caregiving, Dementia, Family Members, Guest Writer, Miriam Zucker, Solo Agers, ,
Older American Woman

Does your aging parent need help? As an Aging Life Care™ advisor, I know how fiercely older adults want to maintain their independence. Many feel that their adult children don’t understand them or are making something out of nothing — a fall, a burnt pot, a call from the police station. They make promises to … Continue reading Seven Signs That an Aging Parent Needs Help →

Celebrating the Holidays with Alzheimer’s or other Dementia

Alzheimer's, Dementia, Lisa Mayfield, ,
holidays with dementia

The holidays can often be a time filled with high expectations, requiring lots of energy and engagement in non-stop activities. For the individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, it can be challenging and a time of high anxiety. Festivities can agitate, confuse, and overstimulate persons living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. Meanwhile, … Continue reading Celebrating the Holidays with Alzheimer’s or other Dementia →

Dementia and the Holidays: Tips for a Comfortable Celebration

Aging Life Care Professionals, Alzheimer's, Dementia,
holidays with dementia

The holidays can often be filled with high expectations, requiring lots of energy and engagement in non-stop activities. For the individuals living with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia and their families, holidays can be challenging and a time of high anxiety. Festivities can agitate, confuse, and overstimulate persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. … Continue reading Dementia and the Holidays: Tips for a Comfortable Celebration →

Six Steps to Better Brain Health

Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Parents, Alzheimer's, Guest Writer, Health, Keri Pollock, Mental Health, Uncategorized

While the COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with challenges, it has also taught us lessons. Likely, you have tapped into your emotional reserves and discovered how resilient you are during this time. Brain health, of which mental health is an essential component, has been at the forefront of many conversations with family, friends, and colleagues … Continue reading Six Steps to Better Brain Health →

A Preventable Disaster Saddened and Frustrated Me

Aging in Place, Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Well, Alzheimer's, Assisted Living, Brenda Shorkend, Costs of Aging, Dementia, Family Members, Financial, Guest Writer

“Living with a Visionary” is a beautifully written essay by John Matthias, Professor Emeritus and writer, published in the New Yorker on February 1, 2021. It starts out as one of the most touching descriptions of living with a person with dementia that I have ever read. His wife, Diana, had Lewy Body Dementia and … Continue reading A Preventable Disaster Saddened and Frustrated Me →

Racial Bias in Requesting Caregivers: How to rise above this problem!

Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Well, Alzheimer's, Care Managers, Caregiving, Dementia, Diversity, Equality, Geriatricians, Guest Writer, Linda Fodrini-Johnson, Mental Health

“My father will not tolerate a ____________ (fill-in-the-blank) caregiver.  Can you promise me a ____________ one?” Having run a home care business for over 30 years I have heard this request many times over to my disbelief and sadness that an adult would not just want the best trained, most experienced, and kind caregiver for … Continue reading Racial Bias in Requesting Caregivers: How to rise above this problem! →

Tips on Mask-wearing for People With Dementia

Aging Parents, Alzheimer's, American Society on Aging, Care Managers, Caregiving, COVID-19, Dementia, Guest Writer, mask-wearing, Mental Health, ,

Although the temptation is strong now that vaccines are gaining distribution to become more relaxed about COVID-19 prevention, we cannot afford to let down our guards and stop masking up. In the United States, the CDC recommends anyone older than age 2 wear a mask, but there are many who are resistant to wearing one, … Continue reading Tips on Mask-wearing for People With Dementia →

On Dementia: Care, Community and Creativity

Aging Life Care Professionals, Aging Well, Alzheimer's, Dementia, Guest Writer, Keri Pollock, Mental Health

Conversations of hope, joy, and better ways to care for and support individuals living with dementia and their care partners More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease and over 15 million family members, friends and volunteers serve as care partners, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias do not … Continue reading On Dementia: Care, Community and Creativity →

Alzheimer’s and the Family Caregiver

Aging in Place, Aging Parents, Aging Well, Alzheimer's, Caregiving, Dementia, Family Members, Guest Writer, Keri Pollock, , , , , ,

November is National Family Caregivers Month and National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. These observances help raise awareness about the challenges of caregiving for families, especially Alzheimer’s caregiving, as well as increase support for and educate caregivers and their communities. The current COVID-19 pandemic has also presented new realities and stresses. According to the Centers for … Continue reading Alzheimer’s and the Family Caregiver →