Health Conditions : Alzheimer's & Dementia

Making the Most of Doctor's Appointments
Taking a loved one with Alzheimer's disease to see the doctor presents a whole slew of challenges. Expert Caregiver Dorian Martin gives you tips for ensuring a positive experience.

Who’s Telling the Truth: The Alzheimer’s Patient or the Nurse?
People with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease often get paranoid about people taking things. And there’s a reason for it. Sometimes, people are stealing from them. And sometimes they’re not.

Celebrities are Caregivers, Too
Television personality Leeza Gibbons shares her family’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Sadness, Agitation, Fear: Could This Be Sundowner's Syndrome?
Typically seen in Alzheimer’s patients, particularly early in the onset, and in dementia patients, Sundowner’s Syndrome may be temporary or prolonged, severe or mild.

A Caregiver’s Personal Story: Getting Into a Dementia Patient’s Head
"Validation is exactly what Dad needed, because what was real to him was real in his world."

How Alzheimer’s Affects the Brain: A Primer for Caregivers
Alzheimer's Disease often has a predicable progression. Understanding the disease at every level can help caregivers.

How Can You Recognize the Stages of Alzheimer’s?
Caregivers of Alzheimer's patients often want to know what to expert. This articles on the stages of Alzheimer's can help.

Dealing With Mood and Behavior Changes In Alzheimer's Patients
For many caregivers, sudden changes in mood and behavior are startling and disturbing. By improving our understanding of what may cause such mood swings and behavior problems, caregivers can learn how to not only tolerate some of these behaviors, but also head them off before they occur.

Lewy Bodies: The Most Common Form of Dementia
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is one of the most common types of progressive dementia.

Providing a Safe Home Environment for Alzheimer's Patients
When caring for someone afflicted Alzheimer's disease in a home setting, caregivers must take a critical look at the living environment.

New Areas of Alzheimer's Research: How Our Brains Change as We Age
Researchers from the National Institute on Aging are undertaking clinical trials to learn whether treatments and drugs that appear promising in observational and animal studies actually are safe and effective in people.

What is Multi-Infarct Dementia?
Multi-infarct dementia is common cause of memory loss in the elderly, often caused by stroke.

Forgetfulness: It's Not Always What You Think
Many people think forgetfulness is the first sign of Alzheimer's Disease -- but this is not always the case. Alzheimer's is only one form of dementia.

If There is No Cure, How is Alzheimer's Disease Treated?
No treatment has been proven to stop Alzheimer's Disease, however people in early and middle stages can benefit from medication.

NIH-Funded Study: One in Seven Americans Age 71 and Older Has Some Type of Dementia
A new analysis suggests that about 3.4 million Americans age 71 and older—one in seven people in that age group—have dementia, and 2.4 million of them have Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Alzheimer's Disease: Tips for Caregivers
Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at home is a difficult task and can become overwhelming at times.

Alzheimer's Disease: How is it Diagnosed and Treated?
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. Although there is no treatment, some drugs may help keep symptoms from getting worse for a limited time.

Choosing an Adult Day Care Program for People with Alzheimer's
There are variations from state to state in the licensing and scope of care provided by each type of facility offering care for those with dementia. This means that what defines ''assisted living,'' ''adult home'' and ''long-term care'' may be different in each state.

Choosing a Residential Facility For a Person With Dementia
Choosing a new home for a person with dementia requires some additional research. It is important to keep in mind some basic guidelines.

Mental Health Overview
Mental illness is not a normal part of aging. It's important to understand what the different illnesses are, if they can be treated and if they can be prevented or slowed.