Alzheimer's & Dementia Care

We’ve compiled experienced caregivers’ best tips for understanding why dementia patients wander and strategies to combat this dangerous dementia behavior.

Younger generations are surprisingly insightful when it comes to handling their elders’ dementia-related behaviors. See what techniques this teenager uses while visiting his grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, the time change each fall may exacerbate symptoms of sundowning. Less daylight and modifications to one’s daily routine often bring added emotional, behavioral and cognitive difficulties.

Anosognosia is a common symptom of dementia that prevents a senior from acknowledging their diagnosis and cognitive impairment.

Sundowning can happen with dementia patients year-round, but during autumn and winter, the effects can be magnified due to shorter, darker days. Be aware of the causes of and treatments for this dementia-related behavior.

When a senior is having trouble swallowing, known as dysphagia, doctors recommend thickening meals and drinks to avoid choking and aspiration. Use these tips to address dehydration and malnutrition issues in people who have a swallowing disorder.

Poor oral hygiene is common for seniors with dementia, but proper dental care is crucial for maintaining overall health and quality of life. A family caregiver shares his strategies for keeping his wife’s teeth and gums healthy.

The slow and unpredictable progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias often makes it tricky for families and even doctors to determine when to bring in hospice. Use these guidelines to decide if a loved one is a candidate for end-of-life care.

Sundowning, also known as late day confusion, causes an increase in challenging behaviors in the early evening hours. Read experienced dementia caregivers’ tips and advice for devising a routine that minimizes sundowning behaviors.

Capgras is a delusional misidentification syndrome that can complicate a dementia patient’s quality of life and their family members’ efforts to care for them. Learn the best ways to handle delusions and foster positive interactions with your loved one.

Selecting a course of action at the end of life can be a complex task, but it must be done. Often a new diagnosis is the instigating factor in formally deciding on a plan.This can include a DNR, advance directive, living will, and/or VSED.

Certain songs and melodies can have surprising effects on individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia. Exposing your loved one to music therapy or recreational activities can jog their memory and be especially enjoyable for them in facilities and at home.

Memory care facilities provide increased levels of care and safety for individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia. This list of core concerns can help you efficiently evaluate each facility you consider.

Some seniors may lose the ability to communicate following a stroke or due to the progression of a neurological disease. Fortunately, a variety of tools and techniques are available to facilitate communication with a loved one who has a speech disorder.

After my mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, I had to learn to live in her world because she couldn't live in mine. This is a glimpse into my ongoing journey with Mom and how I have learned to fight back against dementia.

Not all cognitive decline indicates dementia or Alzheimer's. Some cognitive changes are due to conditions or diseases that are treatable or even reversible. It’s important to get tested and find out a diagnosis-whether you want to or not.

With conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s disease and dementia, swallowing issues can develop that increase the risk of choking and aspiration pneumonia. Learn the signs of dysphagia and how to help a senior eat and drink safely.

Being a parent or a caregiver is demanding enough, but when someone assumes both of these roles (sometimes in addition to working), the result can be daunting. It is vital that caregivers acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses and ask for help.

My husband's dementia confused brain has allowed for some new strategies in tackling the alcohol use in our household. It is a daily struggle.

When my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, we thought our life, as we knew it, was over. But we've encountered some unexpected blessings along the way.