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Alzheimers Disease
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Alzheimer's Disease
13% of all Americans over the age of 65 show signs of having a dementia of the Alzheimer's type. Almost 50% of Americans over the age of 85 have symptoms. Although it is generally a disease that strikes people over the age of 65, early-onset Alzheimer's disease has been recognized in a few people as young as 40.
Caregivers of those with dementia of the Alzheimer's type average 13 hours of caregiving EVERY DAY. Most of these caregivers are the spouses or the adult children of someone with AD.
This department is for caregivers for someone with Alzheimer's Disease. Here we talk about the different stages of the disease and what to expect, how to manage difficult caregiving issues, and the special challenges of behavioral changes.
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The Trauma of Moving to Dementia Care
My mom is in total denial of her dementia/alzheimers. She now needs to go into assisted living. How on earth do I minimize the trauma of going? We have visited the location, actually gotten on their bus and gone with the group to a brunch outing. While in the facility (assisted living) she looked at me, said "Do these people live here?" I said "Yes" then she replied "Im not going to" . . . keep reading
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False Accusations
My mother still lives in her own home. We have hired some wonderful neighbors to help her out. Now she has started accusing these wonderful people of stealing from her. They are both very upset and have given me two weeks notice . . . keep reading
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NPH: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Johnnie Walker has made great strides since he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease four years ago. Two years ago he was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Johnnie's wife was never satisfied. For four years she pushed for more information as Johnnie's condition deteriorated. Finally, her "pushiness" paid off. Johnnie's problems actually stemmed primarily from Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, or NPH, not Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. . . . keep reading
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FDA Slaps Aricept Ads
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently chastized two television commercials for Aricept, the most popular medication for Alzheimer's Disease, as "misleading," "deceptive," and "not supported by the available research data." . . . keep reading
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Feeding Tubes For End Stage Dementia
Patients with Alzheimer's Disease who live to the end stages will almost certainly lose the ability to eat normally. They may become unable to mentally process the mechanics of what to do with food. The reflexes that enable them to swallow safely may be lost. In these cases, many have their lives extended with feeding tubes, whether or not that may have been what they wished . . . keep reading
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Talking to Your Parent About Hygiene
My elderly mom smells and I want to discuss it with her but don't know how to broach it without upsetting her. She has a little dementia that is well managed - mostly forgetfulness and some confusion. She claims to shower every day but I can't believe everything she says about anything. Her apt. also smells - I think it's related to urine. I literally cringe when she getting in my car. Any suggestions? . . . keep reading
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Dementia Holiday Overload
When you're looking forward to celebrating a big holiday with the whole family it's so easy to get our hopes up that it will be a truly heartwarming occasion. When our loved one with dementia has a melt-down in the middle of the festivities it can be catastrophic for us, too. There goes the wonderful day we've been anticipating for so long . . . keep reading
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Independent Activities for the Person With Dementia
It's well and good to talk about great activities for those with dementia, and there are plenty of lists of things you can do together with your loved one. But what about activities that don't require you to sit with your elder and guide them through the activity. There are times when caregivers need a break, too. Having a quiet activity that will keep someone with dementia occupied, even if only for a few minutes, can provide a welcome break for you, too . . . keep reading
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Traveling With Dementia
Every year when the holidy season approaches families wonder whether they will be able to travel one more year with their loved one who has Alzheimer's Disease or another dementia . . . keep reading
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The Alzheimer's Eye Sees Things Differently
The changes in the brain caused by Alzheimer's Disease can also cause changes in how the affected person sees things. Although an opthalmologist may not be able to detect any actual changes in the eyes, the ability of the brain with Alzheimer's to interpret what it sees can be reduced. The inability to "see" clearly can make coping with the disease even more difficult, both the the affected person and for caregivers . . . keep reading
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Combative Dementia
What can you do when someone with dementia becomes dangerously aggressive and combative? Home workers aren't trained to manage aggression, and care facilities will refuse to expose their other residents and their caregivers to potential danger . . . keep reading
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Words Can Be a Dementia Warning
Contrary to what you may have heard, the first signs of early dementia may not be leaving the car keys in the refrigerator or getting lost on the way to the hairdresser. Some people show much more subtle early signs in their speech and language . . . keep reading
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PET Scans for Dementia Diagnosis
Doctors seem to be having some success is determining what is causing dementia symptoms using PET (Brain Positron Emission Tomography) scans. Because dementia symptoms can be caused by a variety of things, and prescribing the right treatment depends on what's causing the dementia, knowing the cause of dementia symptoms is obviously important . . . keep reading
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Starring...Your Senior
A crazy-making phenomenon common to families caring for someone with mid-stage dementia is their seemingly instant ability to look completely lucid and "with it" when they're with someone they want to impress. In addition to making us nuts, this can undermine our ability to get the support we need from both family members and professionals . . . keep reading
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Is It Selective Memory?
Your parent has dementia, so you would naturally expect her to be forgetful. Yet there are certain things that she seems never to forget. Is she really forgetting as much as she seems to be, or is she choosing to use "selective memory" for her own incomprehensible and crazy-making reasons? . . . keep reading
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Therapeutic Fibs: Is it Ever OK to Lie to a Senior?
Connie Singleton told her mother a "therapeutic fib," and it's breaking Connie's heart. Connie was brought up to tell the truth, whatever the consequences. She believes her pastor father must be rolling in his grave. Was Connie wrong to lie to her mother? . . . keep reading
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Alzheimers Disease
