Alzheimer's & Dementia Care

A patient with cognitive impairment can often fool doctors and other care providers during examinations and assessments. Caregivers must take responsibility for making sure physicians are aware of their loved one's true health and capabilities.

There is no definitive test for Alzheimer's or dementia, so it can often be difficult to receive a clear diagnosis. For some individuals, there is no concrete explanation for their cognitive impairment, and this uncertainty can be challenging to accept.

Caregivers are constantly concerned about a list of responsibilities and possibilities. However, fear over developing dementia should not be on this list.

After only a few weeks with his daughter, Charlie is now back home. Although he is happy to be back, providing all of his care without the VA's help has been a challenge for me. I feel for caregivers who have limited or no help on this journey.

It's difficult for me to accept the personality changes that I may experience as my disease progresses. I'm worried about the future of my relationships, but addressing the issue head on is my best bet for gaining ongoing support.

One of the most frustrating aspects of dementia is its unpredictability. You never know when it will manifest, how quickly it will progress or how it may change you or your loved one. My only advice is to embrace the unexpected.

Dementia can interfere with a loved one's ability to sleep, and this often affects their caregiver's rest as well. Keep this in mind if you notice your parent or spouse sleeping at odd times during the day, as they may be catching up on their Z's.

It is difficult enough to try to manage a loved one's finances in addition to your own, but how do you get access to the corresponding online accounts that they have set up? Online banking and other accounts pose unique problems for a dementia caregiver.

Charlie has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks with endocarditis. This ordeal was complicated further by his dementia, causing intense confusion and hallucinations. Only time will tell if his mental state will improve along with his health.

The slow onset of cognitive decline is difficult for family and friends to witness, but it is important to acknowledge that the patient grieves over this loss of memory and loss of self as well.

Forging relationships with little ones is exciting and rewarding. Grandchildren can spark a deeper connection with our own parents and grandparents—even those who may no longer be with us.

A veteran caregiver shares a touching poem she wrote in honor of her mother who has Alzheimer's disease.

Anecdotes about people with Alzheimer's suddenly becoming skillful artists and musicians highlight the fact that individuals with cognitive impairment are still human beings who are capable of creating extraordinary and beautiful things.

Headlines proclaiming the discovery of a potential Alzheimer's treatment are often in the news, yet a cure for the disease continues to elude scientists. So what's happening?

You hear couples tell one another this all the time. We will grow old together and will always be there for each other. But what happens when one partner gets dementia?

Charlie has developed serious dental problems, so now I have to decide which treatment he should get. Do I go for the costly surgery that lasts longer or the more affordable option that could break down in a few years?

Do people with dementia know something is wrong? I certainly did.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is similar to Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s, but there’s one crucial difference: it can be cured. Discover how this cause of dementia can reversed.

Dementia Aware. What does that mean? I read this all the time. Dementia aware restaurants, public places, even dementia aware cities.

Many Americans with Alzheimer's aren't being told their diagnosis by their doctor. What's stopping these physicians from being upfront with their patients?