Alzheimer's & Dementia Articles

• When a Senior Can’t Remember the Story, Let Them Make It Up
  When a loved one starts to lose their memory due to dementia, it's natural to want to help them recapture their past. But, some experts feel that allowing seniors to make up stories of their own may be more a beneficial activity.
  Storytelling eases anxiety, renews trust »
• Things People With Dementia Say: Common Phrases and How to Reply
  False accusations and inappropriate comments can make communicating with a loved one who has dementia aggravating. An occupational therapist and dementia expert explains why seniors with memory loss say the things they do, and how a caregiver can respond.
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• Broken Record: What to Say When Dementia Causes Them to Repeat
  When a loved one who has dementia won't stop repeating the same question or story, it can be difficult for caregivers to know how to respond. An occupational therapist and dementia expert offers suggestions for how to handle these frustrating situations.
  4 common repeats and responses »
• Early-Onset Alzheimer's: When a Caregiver Needs Care
  Alzheimer's disease is not just an ailment of the elderly. While the early-onset form of the disease is rare, it can affect caregivers who are middle-aged. Knowing the common signs and symptoms can help a caregiver and their loved ones prepare.
  'Senior moment' vs. Alzheimer's symptom »
• For Those Dealing With Dementia, Good Times at the Memory Café
  Memory Cafes, a new source of socialization and support for people with dementia and their caregivers, are popping up all over the U.S. What makes these gatherings so special?
  Not your traditional support group »
• How Music Affects Memory in People with Alzheimer’s
  Research shows that music is powerful medicine, with the ability to elevate mood and decrease anxiety. A video of a man with Alzheimer's who reacts to music from his era has become a viral sensation.
  Watch the video »
• Who Is Worse Off: People with Alzheimer’s or Their Caregivers?
  A person with Alzheimer's disease faces a life-altering and ultimately terminal disease. However, because of the intensive care required, and the pain of watching a loved one gradually lose cognitive abilities,does the caregiver endure more?
  Two perspectives of Alzheimer's »
• Cognitive Reserve: The First Line of Defense Against Dementia
  Did you know that your brain may have a built-in defense against Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia? When built throughout a person's lifetime, cognitive reserve can help dely the dementia symptoms of cognitive impairment and memory loss.
  How to beef up your reserves »
• How to Make a Hospital Stay Easier for Someone with Dementia
  A person with dementia may have to go to the hospital for a variety of reasons ranging from scheduled surgery, to emergency medical care. Since a hospital stay may make a senior's dementia worse, it's important to approach them in a certain way.
  8 tips to simplify a stay »
• Giving Up Control When You Have Alzheimer's Isn't Easy
  Taking control away from someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be an emotional process.
  How to know when its time to step in »
• Grandpa is Scary: How Kids Cope with Alzheimer's in Grandparents
  Watching a grandparent change because of Alzheimer’s or dementia can be particularly scary and confusing for children.
  Helping kids understand Alzheimer's »
• What Every Caregiver Should Know About Alzheimer’s Research
  Advancements in knowledge of Alzheimer's disease are being made frequently, but which results are really relevant to today's caregivers? Experts say that there is such a thing as too much information when it comes to Alzheimer's.
  Dispelling Alzheimer's myths »
• Can Any Test Tell if You Have Alzheimer's or Will Get It?
  If you suspect your aging parent has Alzheimer's disease or dementia, is there any test that can diagnose the disease with 100% accuracy?
  What tests should your loved one get? »
• How Memory Loss Happens: Understanding Alzheimer's
  The expression, First in, last out ... Last in, first out, is a short way of explaining that the things learned long ago stay in people with Alzheimer’s memories longer than things they learned or experienced recently.
  What's happening inside the brain »
• Can You Bring a Person with Alzheimer's to Holiday Gatherings?
  For people caring for someone with Alzheimer's, holiday gatherings with family and friends bring up some big questions: Can I bring my elderly loved one? What do I tell guests who want to interact with my senior 'plus one'?
  Give the host and guests a heads-up »
• How to Plan Meaningful Activities for Someone with Alzheimer's
  Coming up with meaningful activities for someone with Alzheimer's to do may seem difficult at first, but a couple of key ground rules provide a good guide for the confused caregiver.
  Focus on former hobbies and talents »
• How To Make Home Safer for a Person with Alzheimer’s
  If your loved one with Alzheimer's disease is living in their own home, or in yours, make these modifications to ensure their safety and well-being.
  Making home safer »
• How-to Take the Stress Out of Getting Dressed with Dementia
  People with Alzheimer's and other dementias often have trouble dressing themselves. Following a few simple rules can help make the process easier.
  Keep it simple and light-hearted »
• Mission Accomplished: Mountaineer Completes Climb for Alzheimer's
  In just under one year, this mountaineer accomplished what few have done before – he climbed the 7 Summits, the highest peak on each of the seven continents to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.
  7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s »
• Medications for Alzheimer’s Disease
  Medications to treat Alzheimer's disease and which Medicare prescription drug plans cover which Alzheimer's medications.
  Treatments for Alzheimer's »