There’s been more discussion lately about the stigma of dementia and Alzheimer’s. The stigma takes root in the language we use, which shapes what we believe and then affects how we treat people with dementia. Oftentimes, the media (unknowingly) will use “Alzheimer’s victim ” or the “dementia sufferer .” The unintended result of this language [...]
Guest article by Chris Seman Chris Seman CEO Caring Transitions Studies report that clutter causes anxiety. Books such as Marie Kondo’s The Magic of Tidying Up , have become best sellers because possessions represent not just joy, but guilt, bad memories and responsibilities. Clutter presents challenges for people with Alzheimer’s or other causes of dementia. [...]
According to the Alzheimer’s Dementia International, almost 47 million people around the world have dementia caused by Alzheimer’s, Lewy body, vascular, frontotemporal lobe, Parkinson’s, including rarer causes. In the U.S. alone, over 15 million people care for the 5.4 million diagnosed with dementia. Worldwide, this figure rises to above 100 million. Because there is no [...]
Guest article by Megan W. Minogue As our parents enter their elder years, they depend on us more and more for care and support. Here are five great ways for you to be a caregiver to your parents wherever they live — with you, on their own, or in a care facility. While it might [...]
Guest Post by Chris Seman It can be overwhelming to help memory impaired adults and those with dementia, to downsize their home belongings in preparation for a move into a senior care community. Organizations that specialize in support and services for older adults, their families and caregivers during downsizing, rightsizing, and relocation can bring peace [...]
You may not know this but, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan declared August 21st National Senior Citizens Day. This important occasion is, unfortunately, rarely recognized but we can do more to increase its visibility. We would not be here without our elders and they deserve to be celebrated, respected and remembered. A small amount of [...]
Guest article by Sarah Blanchard People are not usually aware of nursing home abuse until it affects their family, directly. Each year, thousands of people living in care facilities are abused. A two-page National Center on Elder Abuse Research Brief cites a 2010 study that 50 percent of nursing home staff admitted to mistreating patients [...]
Lawrence Friedhoff, MD PhD Alzheimer's researcher Guest article by Lawrence Friedhoff, MD, PhD My work in Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics began about 20 years ago. After completing my medical training, I was interested in exploring another side of medicine—how new drugs are developed. Attitudes toward dementia have changed drastically over the past two decades. Back then, [...]
Virginia Simpson, PhD, FT, author The Space Between Guest Post Virginia A. Simpson, PhD, FT When beloved celebrities like David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Abe Vigoda, and Maurice White die, we remember the sights and sounds of their performances, the joy and laughter they triggered. Grieving for these beloved strangers can be intense—and may even serve [...]
Guest article by Fay Wein Most people don’t think of the bathroom as being one of the most dangerous rooms in the house. If a loved one is planning to age in place, especially one with a cognitive impairing disease such as Alzheimer’s, the bathroom will be an important area to remodel. The goal of [...]