Approximately one in nine Americans ages 65 and older, or 6.7 million people, are estimated to live with Alzheimer’s disease, and millions more have other types of dementia. What’s alarming is that the majority of older adults with cognitive impairment are still driving, despite concerns raised by caregivers and others, according to a study that […]
Does Tai Chi Boost Your Memory?
Dear Hayek, A friend of mine does tai chi once a week because she says that it is good for boosting memory. If this is the case, I will sign up myself! Do you know of any research to corroborate her claim? Thanks for your help! Ty Chee — Dear Ty, Exercise is widely […]
Could Forgetfulness and Disorganization in Seniors Be ADHD, and Not Mild Cognitive Impairment?
Q. Lately, I’ve become quite forgetful and have been struggling with paying attention to things, impulsivity, and an inability to plan as well as I used to. When I think of cognitive impairment, I think of short-term memory loss, and that doesn’t exactly describe what is happening with me. Oddly, I feel more like my […]
What Are the “Big Five” Personality Traits that Can Contribute to Dementia Risk?
Roxanne is 76 and recently started hiking and swimming with fellow enthusiasts from different generations. David, a retired attorney in his 80s, got bored and went back to school and studied for his CPA. He works for a few months a year, helping people with their taxes. Ellen, 90, found a way to connect with […]
How Can Alzheimer’s Drugs Get to the Brain Faster?
Q. My sister is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, and she may be a candidate for the drug Leqembi, to help slow down the progression. I read that a way to expedite the process and get Alzheimer’s drugs to the brain quicker was recently introduced. What is this all about? I am hoping that […]
How to Talk to a Child or Grandchild about a Loved One’s Dementia
Q. My father, who has Alzheimer’s, is coming to stay with us for the holidays this year. My children, who are 7, 10, and 13, saw him last year, but his symptoms have gotten a lot more severe since then. We didn’t say anything then because we didn’t think they’d understand. Now, we feel like […]
Does Caring for a Pet Lower Your Dementia Risk?
Dear Angel, Happy National Cat Month! I am forever thankful for my cats and feel like every month should celebrate our feline friends. I read an article that said that adults who care for dogs are significantly less likely to develop dementia. Is this the same for cat parents too? Thanks! Kat […]
Seven Million Americans Have Mild Cognitive Impairment and May Not Know It
Q. Last week, I read your article about “Tip-of-the Tongue” moments, where someone can forget a word occasionally. I was relieved when you said, for the most part, this is not a sign of dementia and can be associated with normal aging. What I am concerned about is mild cognitive impairment (MCI). I read that […]
How Fast Does Alzheimer’s Typically Progress?
Dear Kiwi and Mango, My friend’s husband was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. They want to go do all of the items on his bucket list while he still has his wits about him. I’m wondering if you know how fast Alzheimer’s typically progresses. Thanks so much for your help! Howe Fast […]
Red Flags When Walking and Driving May Be Indicative of Dementia
Some people take wide turns when they are walking or driving and get disoriented easily. Some drive slowly, while others are fast and erratic. Some get lost in their own neighborhood or have momentary lapses where they forget which pedal is which. For some, this is just how they walk or drive, and they may […]
Can Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Be Detected while You’re Asleep?
Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are both neurodegenerative diseases that currently don’t have a cure. For both diseases, great strides have been made in research, including recent findings using sleep patterns. Scientists believe that early diagnoses using this information may help slow disease progression or offer prevention. How Sleep Patterns at Home Can Enable Widespread […]
Approaching Dementia with Understanding, Acceptance, and Compassion
A year ago this week, I wrote about Katya De Luisa, a dementia educator, caregiver coach, and author of “Journey through the Infinite Mind – the Science and Spirituality of Dementia.” Besides being an art therapist who works with dementia patients, De Luisa writes books that are designed to inform, encourage, and empower those who […]
Is Forgetting to Pay Your Bills an Early Sign of Dementia?
Kathryn, a long-distance caregiver, knew her mother was having memory problems but didn’t realize how bad things had gotten. This was until she visited her mother and took a closer look at her finances: unpaid bills, unusual cash withdrawals, and, most unexpectedly, the mortgage of the family home had been refinanced at a higher interest […]
When Cognitive Decline Changes People, Should We Respect Their New Desires?
Q. I read a fascinating piece in The New York Times Magazine recently about a woman named Diane Norelius, who had dementia. As her cognitive decline began to alter who she was, her adult daughters and her boyfriend wound up in a bitter dispute over which version of her should get to decide what she […]
Why Do Some Individuals Have the Capacity to Maintain Thinking and Cognitive Abilities in the Presence of More Advanced Dementia?
Dear Raider, I recently read about Diane Norelius in The New York Times Magazine. She was a woman with advancing dementia who was able to mask the severity of her condition pretty well by how coherent and well-spoken she was, despite her memory loss. How is this possible for some people with dementia? Thanks […]
FDA Commissioner Is “Excited” about New Alzheimer’s Treatment Results
Q. I remember reading about lecanemab, an Alzheimer’s treatment, in your newsletter earlier in the year. I have heard that there are other new treatments coming out to slow Alzheimer’s progression. Do you know what else is out there, and if it will be covered by Medicare? Thanks so much for your help! A. Good […]
Does Having a Stroke Increase Your Chances of Dementia?
Dear Hayek, My aunt had a stroke pretty recently, and now she is having trouble remembering things, among other issues. Do strokes increase the chances of someone having dementia? If so, how long does it take to notice symptoms, and are there things we can do to minimize the risk? Thanks for your help! Minna […]
New Amazing Alzheimer’s Diagnostic Tools and Treatments
For decades, researchers and biotech companies have struggled to develop diagnostic tools and treatments for Alzheimer’s, a disorder that causes loss of memory and other mental functions and affects nearly 6.5 million Americans. Now they’re slowly making progress. A drug called lecanemab was approved this year that can slow the disease’s progression, sparking renewed optimism […]
What Happens to Solo Agers Who Develop Dementia?
Q. Sometimes when I have trouble sleeping at night, I scan the internet for interesting news stories. I came upon one in particular that was incredibly disturbing. It was about a woman named Joyce who was estranged from her family and kept to herself in her home. She was found dead on her sofa by […]
Is Light Therapy an Effective Treatment for Dementia?
Dear Hayek, I heard that photo therapy, or light therapy, is a safe, non-invasive, and inexpensive way of boosting cognition for patients with dementia. This seems fascinating to me and I’m wondering if you have heard anything about this? If so, please share any information you have and whether this type of therapy is effective. […]
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