Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Dementia (3)

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. 

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.

Recent research published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) suggests hopeful news: Dementia rates are on the decline. However, the cause of this heartening trend may surprise you. According to scientists, lowering incidences of dementia are directly linked with better heart health. Let's take a closer look at the findings, along with how caregivers can help their aging loved ones improve both their cognitive and their cardiovascular wellness.

The subject of intimacy can be an uncomfortable one for individuals with dementia and their caregivers alike. Factor in ongoing changes to sexual feelings and behaviors caused by Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, and the challenges become even greater. Let's take a closer look at common intimacy-related dilemmas faced by caregivers (including spouses) along with highlighting coping and management techniques.

Though more than 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease, public knowledge about the condition is scant. Many people don't know much about it, and the little they have learned most likely came from popular media, such as movies and TV shows. By 2050, it is expected that the number of people afflicted by the condition will almost triple because of the aging of the general population at large, meaning it's increasingly important for people to understand the symptoms of Alzheimer's and the treatments available. 

If your caregiving duties become extra challenging in the late afternoon, you're not alone. In fact, many people with dementia and Alzheimer's experience dramatic changes in behavior during this time of day resulting in increased demands upon caregivers. The phenomenon -- thought to be brought on by fading light -- is so common that it's earned its own name: sundowning. Let's take a closer look at sundowner's syndrome, as well as tips and tricks for managing the condition.

The inability to recognize beloved people, familiar places and cherished things is a symptom of late-stage Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, coping with memory loss can be heartbreaking for patients, their families, and caregivers alike. But is there hope that memories lost to Alzheimer's disease will one day be retrievable? Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology say, "Yes." Let's take a closer look at the research, along with what it means for the millions of people affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Are memories really lost and gone forever in Alzheimer's patients?

Stephan Baldwin is the Director of Business Development for Assisted Living Center, an online resource for aging care communities.

Dementia is a terrible disease that affects more people in the world than most people realize. It is quick-acting, harsh, and can take away every part of what a person once was while leaving their body seemingly healthy.

Communicating with loved ones suffering from dementia can be frustrating, but also rewarding.

With millions of people currently living with Alzheimer's disease and the number expected to continue to skyrocket in the years ahead, its potential impact is massive. And while we often think of Alzheimer's in terms of its cost to individual patients and their families, the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia highlights degenerative brain disease as a serious threat to public health demanding comprehensive, community-based action. Let's take a closer look at some initiatives which are stepping up and taking action.

The body is a machine full of parts, each with a purpose and each with its own form of maintenance that needs to be done. The heart pumps the blood and carries oxygen. The kidney removes toxins to keep every other organ safe and clean. The stomach breaks down food into energy, but the brain is what makes a person truly unique. The brain makes a person who they are. Keeping each piece of the machine functioning is what keeps a person alive. Keeping the brain functioning is what keeps the soul alive. 

Decreased neuroplasticity can be difficult, but by working together,
caregivers and patients can help improve memory and brain function

In an mmLearn.org video, Jerald Winakur, M.D. talks about his experiences as a doctor and a family member relating to memory care. His experiences emphasize the importance of improving neuroplasticity, particularly in a person's older years. For the elderly, this is not easy. It is a frustrating experience to feel that memory and function are not as strong as they once were.