Dementia is an umbrella term used to refer to many types of neurodegenerative diseases—one of which is Alzheimer’s. And while the majority of dementias are diagnosed as Alzheimer’s, a recent study showed that thousands of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s actually didn’t have the disease. LATE Can Often be Confused for Alzheimer’s Disease Some people who […]
Can an Eye Exam Predict Alzheimer’s?
Dear Ernie and Janette, I read somewhere that a simple eye exam can predict whether or not someone will get Alzheimer’s. Is this true? Thanks! Cici Cleary — Dear Cici, You are correct. It may be possible to accurately screen patients for Alzheimer’s using a simple eye exam in the not-so-distant future, according to new […]
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 […]
Miss Your Grandmother?. . . Then Rent One!
Anna’s mother died when she was six, and she was raised by her grandmother, Betty. Anna had a close relationship with Betty and has many fond memories of their time together. Betty lived a long life and died at the age of 92. Anna misses her grandmother immensely and is sad that her children will […]
The Home Genetic Test Told Me I Had the Alzheimer’s Gene
Dear Magic, I got a home genetic test for Christmas last year. I found out I am Irish, so this year I will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for real! When I got the results back, they gave me the option to do the health screening. I paid the extra money and got those results, […]
Is Alzheimer’s Linked to Gum Disease?
Barbara recently went for her semi-annual dental cleaning and check-up and was told she has gingivitis (gum disease). She wasn’t surprised, as she has had a history of tooth decay and gum disease since she was a child. She always took care of her teeth, but she was told she is “more susceptible” to such […]
A BOLD Step in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s
Q. I have a close friend who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She is one of many family friends and relatives that have the debilitating disease. When I think about them and the health crisis that Alzheimer’s has become, I think how there should be more laws out there and more funding for education and […]
Can the Dangerous Consequences of Hearing Loss be Lessened by OTC Hearing Aids?
Dear Magic, My daughters and I suspect that my wife is experiencing hearing loss, but hearing aids are so expensive. I heard something about legislation that passed making them available over the counter. Is this true, and if so, do you know when this will start? Also, is it true that untreated hearing loss can […]
Can Dementia Symptoms Come and Go?
Q. My husband, my kids, and I visited my mother this year for the holidays. Mom was diagnosed with dementia last year, so I took some of Magic the bunny’s advice from Critter Corner on how best to celebrate the holiday with her. We gave her space during the festivities, and for the most part, […]
Having a Dementia-Friendly Holiday
Dear Magic, You look so cute in your Christmas tree headband that I thought I would ask you this question. My mom is coming for Christmas and will be at my home for several days. I haven’t seen her for a while, and my brother, who is her caregiver, told me that she is a […]
Dementia Directives: Making Your Voice Heard When You Can No Longer Remember
Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. At that rate, in 2050, it is estimated that the number of people living with dementia will increase to more than 130 million. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is the estimated cause 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 […]
Resources for Veteran’s with Dementia
Dear Magic, My mother is a veteran who has dementia and I will be her main caregiver. Do you know of any resources that can help me better understand veterans and dementia and provide tips for me in my new caregiver role? Thanks so much! Hal Pinherr — Dear Hal, As a caregiver for a […]
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 […]
Things You May Not Know About Long-term Care
With nearly 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day from now until 2030, long-term care is a top concern of current and soon-to-be retirees, or at least it should be. You never know what sort of health issues life might throw at you, and even if you’re relatively wealthy […]
Can They Kick Her Out of Assisted Living?
Jeff Regan received a shocking phone call from Atria Assisted Living to inform him that his aunt, Marilou Jones, 94, who has dementia, was being evicted. The family was informed by the nurse who phoned them that Marilou can’t transfer into memory care as the family had planned; and that she would be kicked out […]
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 […]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- …
- 11
- Next Page »