Q. At age 62, my father, Paul, was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). He can’t walk, get out of bed, or breathe on his own (he’s on a ventilator). He can’t use the toilet, bathe, or dress himself, either. After a recent hospitalization and short-term stay in a nursing home for rehab, in-home therapists […]
Dementia Therapies That Really Work
Mary’s husband passed away after 55 years of marriage. She was diagnosed with early stage dementia, and lived alone for a while. She was depressed and didn’t make much contact with others. Her daughter convinced her to move to an assisted living community before her disease progresses, so she would have others to talk to […]
Alternative Ways to Stave Off Parkinson’s
Fred Ransdell, who has had Parkinson’s since 1996, is an avid runner. (Source: The Dallas Morning News) Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative movement disorder of the central nervous system, was discovered nearly 200 years ago. Since then, no single test exists that can definitively diagnose the disease, and doctors rely on the appearance of certain symptoms […]
The Healing Power of Music — “Alive Inside”
Music has power—especially for individuals with dementia. When used appropriately, it can help shift mood, manage stress, reduce agitation, stimulate positive interactions, and can even triumph where prescription medication falls short. Even in the late stages of dementia, the healing power of music has been known to spark compelling outcomes. How do we know this? […]