Dear Angel, They say that there is a correlation between early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and falling prey to financial scams. Is this true and if so, what can we do if we see someone falling into this pattern? Thanks, Cora Layshun — Dear Cora, Yes, this appears to be true. Researchers at the University of […]
“All Through the Night” Teaches Important Lessons About Alzheimer’s
“All Through the Night” is a short film starring actor Tim Daly as a father living with Alzheimer’s and Luke Slattery playing his son. Writer/director Graham Marvin, 35, wrote this film about his relationship with his own father, who at 83 is nearly 50 years older than him and suffers from memory loss. Graham’s father […]
Would a Graduation Gift to my Son Affect my Mother’s Medicaid Eligibility?
Dear Raider, My son recently graduated from high school. My mother wants to give him a monetary gift of $1,000. She is in the early stages of dementia and may need nursing home care in the not-so-distant future. Would giving this gift affect her Medicaid eligibility? Thanks for your help! Ella Jability — Dear Ella, […]
What Are the 15 Factors Linked to a Higher Risk of Young-Onset Dementia?
If you’re in your 70s or 80s, and you’ve noticed that you’re experiencing some forgetfulness, it may be reasonable to be concerned about memory loss that may or may not be dementia. But what if you’re in your 60s, 50s, 40s, or 30s … surely those ages would be too young for Alzheimer’s disease or […]
Cognitive Testing Doesn’t Have to Cost Thousands — AARP Offers Free New Option
Many don’t realize that the brain is continuously changing and developing across our life span. This doesn’t just happen when we’re young. Some cognitive functions become weaker with age, while others actually improve. Cognition typically involves thinking, learning, using language, making decisions, reasoning, applying judgment, and more. Sometimes, we notice a seeming decline in these […]
Coping with the “Transfer Trauma” of Moving a Loved One
Rachel, a caregiver for her mother who is in the early to mid-stages of dementia, is on the emotional roller coaster of moving her mom to an assisted living facility. It’s taking quite a toll on her and her mother, because Rachel’s mom has strongly expressed that she would much rather live in her own […]
How Can I Maintain and Improve My Cognitive Function in 2024?
Dear Raider, One of the things that I want to do in 2024 is to take actions to stave off dementia and improve my cognitive functioning, as much as I possibly can. What are some things I can do to make this New Year’s resolution possible? Thanks for your help! Char Pynmaibrayn — Dear Char, […]
Can Dementia Patients Relearn Day-to-Day Tasks?
Those with dementia still have the ability to learn new things and relearn tasks they once knew how to perform. This is the conclusion of a doctoral thesis by Swedish scientist Elias Ingebrand, who hopes to debunk the general belief that people with dementia can no longer learn things. In his research, titled “Dementia […]
Mental Health of Caregivers Is Subject of Powerful Documentary
Richard Lui, a journalist and news anchor for MSNBC and NBC News, sat down with Chip Carter recently to talk about his relationship with his late mother, former first lady Rosalynn Carter. Chip talked about his parents and their inspirational relationship and discussed his role as a long-distance caregiver for his mother, who had Alzheimer’s, […]
Sandra Day O’Connor Was a “Legal Pioneer for Bringing Awareness to Alzheimer’s”
Sandra Day O’Connor, who was appointed as the nation’s first female Supreme Court justice in 1981, died in Phoenix, Arizona last Friday at the age of 93. She died from a respiratory illness, with complications from Alzheimer’s, the same illness that took over her life in 1990, when her husband, John, was diagnosed.
What Behavioral Challenges Can You Expect from a Loved One with Dementia?
Dementia poses many challenges for people struggling with it, for caregivers, and for others who are close to them. It can be especially hard to witness and cope with common behaviors that often arise from certain forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and vascular dementia. Caring for a person who has any […]
Are “Tip-of-the-Tongue” Moments Normal or a Cause for Concern?
Q. Not long ago, I used to have a great command of the English language, but now I keep forgetting simple words during a conversation. I’ll be having a conversation, then stop because a word is on the tip of my tongue. Sometimes I’ll find it after an awkward pause. Other times I stammer through […]
How a Healthy Gut Relates to a Healthy Brain
Q. I heard that there’s a strong link between particular kinds of gut bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease. Is this true, and if so, how do I know if my gut is, in fact, healthy? If not, what changes can I make to improve it, and perhaps reduce my chance of developing dementia? Thanks for your […]
New Guidelines Are Being Proposed for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s
Dear Raider, I read somewhere that someone will soon be able to receive a diagnosis for Alzheimer’s even if they have no symptoms or family history of the disease. How will this work? Thanks for your help! Diane Ganosis — Dear Diane, According to new diagnostic criteria discussed at the 2023 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference […]
It’s World Alzheimer’s Month — Optimistic Findings from 2023
Dear Kiwi and Mango, I read that September is World Alzheimer’s Month. Is there any good news that can help me to be more optimistic about preventing dementia or a cure being on the horizon? Thanks so much! Opta Mystic — Dear Opta, World Alzheimer’s Month is an international campaign that aims to raise awareness […]
The Youngest People to Ever Be Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
Imagine being 17 years old and noticing that your memory is deteriorating. You are unable to concentrate in high school, and your short-term memory seems to be virtually nonexistent. Then, at 19, wondering what is going on, you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This happened recently to a young man in China, who is now […]
Is It Possible to Be Resistant to Dementia?
A unique quirk of DNA protected a Colombian man from developing a hereditary form of dementia for two decades. Researchers, who studied his brain after he died, have discovered that this type of dementia may go way back in the village where he resided. They believe that looking more closely at him and another person […]
Blood Tests and a New Promising Drug for Alzheimer’s Are Here. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Q. I know Alzheimer’s research, diagnostic tools, and treatments have come a long way in the past few years, with several new options having been introduced. But, I’m curious — do any of these options really work or even show real promise? A. Alzheimer’s disease research is at an important moment, with the emergence of […]
A Urine Test for Alzheimer’s?
Dear Angel, I heard somewhere that there is a urine test for Alzheimer’s that is being tested? What do you know about this? Thanks for your help! Pete Tesst — Dear Pete, It’s true. There is a urine test being tested and the hope is that one day, doctors may be able to diagnose Alzheimer’s […]
TikTok and Caregiving: The #Dementia Hashtag on TikTok Has over 3 Billion Views!
The first time Jacquelyn Revere walked into a support group for caregivers of family members with dementia, she felt completely out of place. Revere, then a 20-something who’d just moved from New York City to California to care for her mother and grandmother who both have dementia, was decades younger than anyone else in the […]