Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Alzheimer's

Communicating with a person with memory loss can be difficult, but the right strategies can bridge the gap and foster a more fulfilling relationship between you and your patient or loved one. 

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The diagnosis of a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be frightening, confusing and overwhelming. While these emotions are natural, they can also be immobilizing—especially if you have no experience with the disease. Finding out as much as possible about the situation can offer both clarity and peace of mind for patients and caregivers alike. Read on for a roundup of five questions to ask your aging loved one’s healthcare team after an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. 

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Gun violence and gun control are currently among the most pressing issues facing Americans. And while a great deal of attention is focused around regulating access to guns overall, far less attention is paid to another critical, more specific issue: the millions of firearms that are already in the homes of aging Americans who may be suffering from dementia and other forms of cognitive decline. Here’s a closer look.

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The imperative to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is widespread. After all, not only is Alzheimer’s one of the country’s ten most common causes of death, but it also upends the lives of its millions of victims and their families. Now comes news that preventing and reversing memory loss and cognitive decline may be possible, but involves a shift in paradigm away from the concept of a “silver bullet” and toward the concept of “silver buckshot.” 

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The challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer's are frequently discussed. But most people tasked with managing care for someone living with this disease are already well aware of these challenges and are looking for something more: Practical tools and actionable insights for managing them. Read on for ten tips aimed at helping caregivers most effectively tackle the issues they face every day.

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The majority of people with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. There are other types of dementia — such as vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia — but Alzheimer's is the most common and the one you have probably heard the most about.

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As many as 66 percent of patients with Alzheimer’s disease may experience a phenomenon known as Sundowning, AKA “sundown syndrome” or “nocturnal delirium,” according to Thomas Weiss, MD. Unfortunately, coping with this condition can pose unique challenges for caregivers. Educating yourself about Sundowning, however, can be an invaluable management technique. 

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The first step in lessening the number of episodes or severity of sundowning syndrome is minimizing risk factors for the person with the condition, which is characterized by confused or agitated behavior at nightfall. 

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Much like the name indicates, sundowning syndrome is a complex medical condition that occurs when a person becomes confused or agitated at nightfall. People who experience sundowning frequently have a diagnosis of dementia, but the condition can also affect those who do not.

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As many as one million people in the United States are living with Parkinson's disease, according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Roughly one third of them will experience "freezing" episodes, which can lead to limited mobility, increased risk of falling, and reduced socialization. Fortunately, there are some ways caregivers can help people with Parkinson's disease manage their freezing episodes. Read on for a closer look at this phenomenon, along with caregiver tips for supporting quality of life while coping with freezing. Read More