Note: This article is the second part of a three part series sharing the wisdom of Katya De Luisa, a dementia educator and author of “Journey through the Infinite Mind–the Science and Spirituality of Dementia.” Read part 1 and part 3 here. What should you do when your loved one with dementia believes someone who […]
Is Early Detection and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Possible Before Symptoms Arise?
Dear Angel, There’s been so much talk about the new Alzheimer’s drug that was just approved by the FDA. I’m wondering– what progress has been made when it comes to early detection of Alzheimer’s, before symptoms arise? Thanks! Earl E. Detexion — Dear Earl, June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time when we […]
Can You Still Live Alone if You Have Early-Stage Alzheimer’s?
When Kimberly was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she took it as a devastating blow. She experienced the gamut of emotions anyone would feel after such a shocking discovery about oneself, including shock, denial, and depression. It took Kimberly more than a year to accept what the doctor had said— that she does in fact […]
How Alzheimer’s is Different for Women and Men
Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years ago, 75-year-old Elaine still enjoys jigsaw puzzles, knitting, and dancing. She manages day-to-day life with the help of a GPS tracker – prompted after a trip on the wrong bus – and with reminder notes stuck around the house by her husband Fred, who is also in the beginning stages […]
Why Do People with Alzheimer’s Remember Old Memories While New Memories Fade?
Q. I recently went to visit my father, Paul, who has Alzheimer’s. I posted a picture of us on Facebook, which prompted several cousins who lived nearby who I rarely see to visit while I was there. His first cousin, Sophie, came to visit and talked about how she lived next door to my […]
An Advance Directive Specifically for Dementia
Dear Angel, I recently read about Advance Directives that deal only with dementia. What is included in them and is it a good idea to create them in addition to other incapacity planning documents? Thanks! Dee Rectiffs — Dear Dee, An Advance Medical Directive is a legal document that outlines your specific wishes regarding medical […]
From Grief to Compassion: The Changing Face of Alzheimer’s Care
Marie sits at a table in the dining room at the memory care center, reading the Washington Post and sipping some iced tea. She greets a visitor who enters with a big smile. She points out the view of a quiet tree-lined street beyond, visible through a wall of windows. Marie makes conversation with the […]
When Mom and Dad Both Have Dementia
Q. My mother, Mary, is in a world of her own. I call it “Mary-land.” She often walks around in circles fussing about the “people who are breaking into the house.” We live in a quiet safe neighborhood, which hasn’t had a break-in in at least fifty years! She’s exhausted, disheveled, and constantly afraid. She […]
Alzheimer’s Breakthroughs in 2018
Dear Bebe, I have read so many stories about Alzheimer’s “breakthroughs” this year. What are some of the most promising ones? Thanks, Bray Kathrews Dear Bray, Despite millions of dollars and years of research, there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s. One promising thing to note is that this past year, the National Institute of […]
Veterans Benefits for Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Q. I read that Veterans who experienced brain trauma in the course of their service are at a 60% higher risk for developing dementia, while those who have experienced PTSD are twice as likely. My father is a Vietnam Veteran who suffers from PTSD. His family also has a history of dementia. With his risk […]
Yikes! Our Top 10 Scariest Articles of 2018
Believe it or not, in Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Special Needs Planning, there are some news stories that sound more like the scary plots of horror movies than real life. The topics can be so horrifying that suddenly, you need to turn on all the lights just to read the news stories and do […]
The 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s
Q. I recently heard that Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female Supreme Court Justice, announced that she has Alzheimer’s disease. Her son explained how she overcame so many obstacles in her life that she was convinced that she could power through Alzheimer’s as well, but sadly you can’t. He describes how she still loves having […]
Navigating an End-of-Life Rally
Michael, an advanced Alzheimer’s patient, was in hospice care and didn’t have much time. He was experiencing what some believe to be precursors to death, such as loss of appetite, changes in breathing, and more confusion than usual, and his organs were shutting down. His family all flew in to spend his remaining time with […]
Should Doctors Ask Older People If They Have Guns at Home?
Q. I took my father for his routine physical appointment last week. The doctor asked him all kinds of questions, but didn’t inquire about whether he owns a gun. He actually owns three guns, and I’m concerned about it because he is losing his memory. In my opinion, physicians should inquire about […]
Can Dad Still Manage his Finances?
Dear Bebe, My dad has mild cognitive impairment. Sometimes he’s completely out of it, while at other times he seems like himself. When he’s out of it, he does silly and sometimes reckless things involving money. What are some signs that my dad can no longer manage his own finances? Thanks, Cana Tandelmoney —- Dear […]
Does High Blood Pressure Cause Dementia?
Each day, Dr. Walter Koroshetz, 65, takes a pill as part of his effort to help keep his brain healthy and sharp. The medicine isn’t some miracle drug or a vitamin to stave off memory loss. The pill is his blood pressure medication. He also keeps his blood pressure down by exercising and maintaining a […]
Sign Language Gives People with Dementia a Way to Speak
John “Alec” Stephenson, an administrator at the Silverado Aspen Park memory care community in Salt Lake City, raised a son with a hearing impairment. As many parents of children who are hearing impaired, the family embraced sign language as a means to communicate with their son. Years later, Alec started a program to teach sign […]
How to Maintain an Emotional Connection to Someone with Alzheimer’s
Geri Taylor (69) had recently retired from her job in health administration, when she started noticing changes in herself. For some time, she had experienced forgetfulness at work. For instance, when she was leading a staff meeting, she realized she had no idea what she was talking about. She got past the episode by quickly […]
Shocking New Study: Alzheimer’s Found in Children and Linked to Air Pollution
Amy took her daughter, Madison, to visit her grandmother in the memory care unit of the nursing home. Madison’s grandmother’s Alzheimer’s had progressed a lot since they last saw her. Madison was perplexed by the changes in grandma, and why they were happening. Being 8 years old and inquisitive, she asked lots of questions on […]
A Prosthetic Brain to Improve Memory?
U.S. Army veteran, Steven, is missing his left leg from a war injury. He wears a prosthetic leg, and it enables him to walk. For those who are missing an arm or leg, an artificial limb (or a prosthesis) can often replace it. A prosthesis can help you to perform daily activities such as walking, […]
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