Imagine a familiar song gently filling a room, and suddenly, a face softens, a hand begins to tap, or a smile appears. For people living with dementia, familiar music holds a special kind of magic. It can reach parts of the mind where words no longer do, unlocking memories, easing confusion, and bringing moments of Read More
When someone starts forgetting things or having trouble making decisions, many people think it might be Alzheimer’s disease. But there is another type of dementia that is often misunderstood: vascular dementia. Because its symptoms can look like other conditions, it is easy to get confused. Here are five common myths about vascular dementia and the Read More
Caring for someone with dementia often means living in a constant loop of questions. You might find yourself asking… “Is Dad okay on his walk?”“Did Mom take her meds?”“How can I keep things from falling through the cracks?”“I hate not being there—are there tools to help with social interaction?” Some days feel manageable. Others? Not Read More
Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel like preparing for a marathon, where each step, each mile, needs a focused strategy and realistic goal setting. The journey is long, often challenging, but with the right approach, it can also be fulfilling. We were inspired by an article published in the New York Times Read More
February is Senior Independence Month, a great time to celebrate the many benefits of aging in place. For many older adults, driving is an important aspect of their independence. However, with aging, the ability to drive safely can become compromised, presenting a delicate balance between independence and safety. What affects senior driving? Aging inevitably brings Read More
Dementia, a progressive cognitive decline, poses unique challenges not only for the individual affected, but also for their family caregivers. The journey of a caregiver for a loved one with dementia is often likened to an emotional roller-coaster, riddled with moments of despair, patience-testing situations, unexpected turns, and poignant memories. But just as no one Read More
“My husband woke up in the middle of the night and thought it was time to go to work. He’s been retired for 10 years.” “Since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year, my mom’s personality has changed. Sometimes she’s aggressive, and sometimes she’s very withdrawn. Both behaviors are unusual for her.” If you know Read More
Let’s say you’re the primary contact or caregiver for a family member, perhaps a parent or a sibling who is living with a physical or cognitive disability. You are seeing signs that your loved one is having difficulty managing themselves or their affairs. What do you do? Many people think first of obtaining a power Read More
Most people have heard of or know someone who has Alzheimer’s disease. Many fewer people have heard of a similar, widespread form of dementia called Lewy body dementia (LBD). According to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, LBD is the “second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.” LBD affects more than 1 million Read More
An important part of our overall resilience in life—our ability to cope with and survive great challenges—is our cognitive reserve. “Cognitive reserve is the idea of building up additional abilities to compensate for the possibility of declining memory or thinking,” explains Esther Heerema, MSW, who works with people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. “Think Read More