Families of loved ones with dementia often feel confused and overwhelmed as they struggle to comprehend that memory lapses, unpredictable behaviors, and personality changes are not things that can be controlled; they are the result of physical damage to the brain’s neurons.
If you have a family member diagnosed with dementia, gaining deeper insight into the many changes to their brain related to dementia can help you more successfully make the transition from confusion and frustration to understanding and acceptance. By adjusting your perspective, you can adapt how you communicate and anticipate your loved one’s needs, while reducing your own stress levels.
What are these changes to the brain that occur with dementia?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes dementia as the destruction of neurons and the connections between them, resulting in brain shrinkage and declining cognitive function. This process is driven in part by the buildup of abnormal proteins, such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which interfere with communication between brain cells, trigger chronic inflammation, and disrupt healthy blood flow.
Key brain changes include:
How does the progression of dementia impact these brain changes?
The Mayo Clinic describes damage to the brain as it relates to the stages of dementia summarized as follows:
Of course, understanding the clinical aspects of dementia is one thing; the real challenge lies in absorbing those changes and adapting to them over time. It’s natural to misinterpret or take personally the behaviors of a loved one with dementia, especially when this is someone you have known so well and who has long been an integral part of your life. Adjusting how you interpret these changes, and how you respond to them, takes time and intention.
Be patient—with yourself, your loved one, and your entire family. You are all navigating unfamiliar territory. It may help to work with a therapist who specializes in dementia, or to join a dementia support group where you can share your experiences and connect with others in similar situations.
Above all, remember that your loved one did not choose dementia. They did not choose memory loss or behavioral changes. These shifts are not anyone’s fault. They are the result of a complex brain disease. Gaining a clearer understanding of what is happening in the brain at each stage can ease frustration, reduce stress, and help you respond with greater patience and compassion. In turn, this understanding will profoundly shape how you and your family experience this challenging journey together.
Concord Place Memory Care in Knoxville, Tennessee recently honored resident Virgie Jean Gasaway on her 100th birthday with an induction into the Century Club of East Tennessee.
Married for more than 70 years, Mrs. Gasaway built a life defined by family, resilience, and a strong work ethic, raising a son with her husband while working as a bookkeeper at Sears and later in military administration.
A lifelong reader and devoted woman of faith, she is known for her kindness, curiosity, and love of simple pleasures like sewing, gardening, and cooking. She credits her longevity to staying engaged, maintaining good oral hygiene, and never giving up her love of reading.
This beautiful story was covered in an article in Knox TN Today, which you can read here.
Residents of Franklin Place Memory Care recently put kindness into action by making homemade pet treats for the Milwaukee Humane Society. Their efforts not only supported local animals but also gave them the chance to spend time with some friendly furry companions, proving that even small gestures can make a meaningful difference.
“Many of our residents are lifelong animal lovers and creating treats gives them purpose and a meaningful way to continue making a difference,” said Tiffany McClain, Life Engagement Director. “Sharing kindness with shelter pets brings our elders so much joy.”
The project was covered by Argentum. You can read the full story here.
Residents of Churchill Place Memory Care in Glen Ellyn, Illinois worked together to create and deliver Easter baskets for families supported by Metropolitan Family Services DuPage. What began as a seasonal activity grew into a meaningful outreach effort, with residents gathering donated items and thoughtfully assembling each basket.
The baskets brought joy and comfort to so many people, including grandparents raising their grandchildren and children living in shelters. What a wonderful way to give back and help brighten Easter for families facing challenging circumstances.
The special project was covered in an article in the Daily Herald, which you can read here.
April is National Gardening Month. However, avid gardeners will tell you it is a yearlong activity, planting, pruning, cultivating and finally enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Visit any of our Anthem Memory Care communities and you will notice our large outdoor planters, full of an array of fledgling vegetable and flowering plants. They include, among other things, tomatoes, zucchini and bell peppers to add to residents’ meals in the months to come, along with plenty of pretty flowers to cut for the tables.
Residents love getting outside and working with the soil, many having gardened all their lives. They go about their work while chatting with fellow residents and sharing their gardening tips, along with past successes and challenges.
So what is it about gardening that brings a sense of purpose and calm for individuals living with dementia?
Clearly, it provides unique therapeutic value in the form of a wide range of benefits, including the following:
If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, even if they have never enjoyed gardening, try introducing it in small steps. For those with mobility challenges you might consider a raised garden planter or set up a tabletop with some soil, pots, and seedlings for them to plant. Keep them in a place where they can be easily watered and observed. You will find that this meaningful, peaceful act of caring for the plants will do wonders for your loved one’s sense of purpose and connection to those around them.
At our Anthem Memory Care communities, we believe that incorporating gardening into care routines can enhance overall quality of life while supporting both independence and emotional wellbeing for our residents.
We invite you to visit any of our communities and ask about our gardening activities. We’d love an opportunity to show you around and learn more about you and your family and how we might be of help.
At our Anthem Memory Care communities, March has been a month filled with anticipation for spring, bringing a renewed sense of energy and connection. As we welcomed the changing season, residents embraced opportunities to celebrate the end of cold, snowy, windy days and the transition into brighter, warmer times ahead.
Throughout the month, our communities engaged in a variety of meaningful and purposeful activities. From community outreach projects that foster connection and a sense of giving, to enjoyable outings and simple, heartfelt moments of joy, each experience was designed to enrich daily life and create lasting memories.
Here are just a few of the projects and activities our residents have enjoyed together this month.
Morningside Place Memory Care (Overland Park, Kansas) held a special bake sale, inviting the greater community in for a variety of delicious, homemade cookies, baked by the residents, along with fresh lemonade.
Retired nurse and resident of Willowbrook Place Memory Care (Littleton, Colorado) conducted a class for fellow residents on health and wellness. So many residents have special skills and talents. Our communities make sure that they can continue to enjoy and share them with others.
Grace Point Place Memory Care (Oak Lawn, Illinois) residents love the visits from the local Girl Scout troop. Many wonderful friendships have formed as a result. These visits always bring connection and joy.
Pi Day was March 14th (in case you didn’t know) giving the resident bakers of Liberty Place Memory Care (West Chester, Ohio) a welcome excuse to get busy making one of their favorite desserts … pie, of course!
Franklin Place Memory Care Franklin, Wisconsin) residents love to give back to their favorite local dog shelter. This time it was in the form of homemade peanut butter dog treats. What a great feeling, especially for the dog-loving residents … and there are many!
Willow Springs Memory Care (Redding, California) welcomed Taffy, the miniature therapy horse for a drop in visit. These gentle animals never fail to connect and engage with residents, bringing a natural form of therapy which includes lots of smiles and laughter.
Clear Creek Memory Care (Fayetteville, Arkansas) resident and former Arkansas Razorback star, Bill Burnett, sat down to chat with a reporter for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. His is an amazing story. Read more about it here.
Residents at Vineyard Place Memory Care (Murrieta, California) gathered together with students from Temescal Canyon High School this week, dancing to their favorite tunes at their 3rd annual Senior Prom.
As we all look forward to longer, warmer days, we welcome you to visit any of our Anthem Memory Care communities and experience, firsthand, our amazing residents and staff. We’ll be happy to share our own stories and answer your questions. Please feel free to drop in. We’d love to learn more about you and your family and stand ready to help you with the journey ahead.
(March always brings some St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and we hope you enjoy our header image of residents of Highline Place Memory Care (Littleton, Colorado) wearing their Irish green in style!)
Residents at Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California gathered together with students from Temescal Canyon High School this week for their 3rd annual Senior Prom.
The event brought everyone together for an afternoon of music, dancing, and fun across generations. Many of the residents and students have formed close relationships, making every get-together even more special and fun.
The room was decked out with Hollywood-style décor, complete with sparkly backdrops and a lively dance floor. Residents and 20 students were dressed up and ready to hit the dance floor, sharing lots of great moments together.
The prom was covered by the Murrieta Patch. You can read the full story here.
It is often not until the later-mid stages of dementia that families begin to truly grasp the reality of the illness. This is a difficult time for families, grappling with complex emotional issues as they begin to transition their actions towards supporting their loved one as they enter the final stages of dementia.
This is when palliative and hospice care professionals become indispensable partners in care, sharing their compassion and expertise to create a highly supportive environment that brings comfort and security, not only for the loved one with dementia, but for the family as well.
What is the difference between palliative care and hospice care?
Palliative and hospice care share many of the same attributes. Both are forms of specialized medical care focused on improving quality of life and comfort for individuals with serious, life-limiting illnesses. Both share a mission to move away from purely "curative" medicine toward holistic, patient-centered care.
The primary difference between palliative and hospice care lies in when the care is provided and the goals of the treatments and services provided.
To help family caregivers better understand palliative and hospice care, we’ve curated information from The Alzheimer’s Association, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Medicare, and other healthcare agencies and organizations. Below is a summarized breakdown of each:
Palliative care
Eligibility for palliative care can begin at any stage of dementia and focuses on relieving symptoms, improving comfort, and supporting quality of life while a person may still receive treatments aimed at slowing the disease or managing other conditions.
The primary goal of palliative care is to provide comfort, improve quality of life, while continuing to allow for simultaneous curative care. It is also focused on reducing the physical/emotional strain on caregivers.
More details:
Hospice care
Eligibility for hospice care begins when the individual has progressed to later-stage dementia. This is typically when the ability to dress, bathe, and retain bladder and bowel control has ceased and only limited verbal communication is possible.
The primary goal of hospice care is to focus entirely on comfort, pain management, and quality of life rather than curative treatments.
More details:
Palliative care and hospice care provide significant benefits to families who opt to use them.
Because dementia is a progressive, life-limiting condition, understanding both palliative and hospice care is key to optimizing the care experience for both the loved one with dementia and the family. As beneficial as these services are, however, many families do not take advantage of them. Often this is due to a lack of knowledge as to the benefits of these services. It can also be a combination of emotional barriers, denial of need, deep-seated misconceptions, and the perceived challenges of navigating potentially complicated medical systems.
That’s where we can help. Our Anthem Memory Care communities are proud to partner with some of the most respected palliative and hospice care providers in the country. We have witnessed firsthand how their loving care and professional expertise benefits our residents and their families.
We encourage you to reach out to any of our communities for more information and resources so that your family can take advantage of these valuable services. We will be happy to share our own experiences and look forward to learning more about your family. We are here to help!
Anyone who has added yoga or tai chi into their daily routine will tell you how beneficial it is to their overall mental and physical wellbeing. As we age, engaging in relaxing, meditative exercises can become even more advantageous in relieving stress, while improving flexibility, strength, and balance. That is why it won’t be a surprise to you that it also benefits individuals living with dementia.
Relaxation exercises for individuals living with dementia are known to decrease agitation, anxiety, and restlessness while enhancing overall emotional comfort. The most effective techniques are simple, repetitive, and calming, with clear guidance and gentle pacing.
Yoga (and Chair Yoga)
Yoga is a centuries-old practice that began in India and focuses on connecting the body and mind through gentle movement, controlled breathing, and meditation. By combining gentle physical poses with relaxation and mindful breathing, yoga supports physical health, flexibility, and strength while also encouraging calmness and mental clarity. Its overall goal is to create a sense of balance and well-being throughout the body and mind.
Yoga can significantly improve the quality of life for both individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. It can be performed on a mat or, for those with balance or mobility challenges, from the security of a chair.
Research cited by Johns Hopkins Medicine notes nine primary benefits of yoga, summarized below:
Tai Chi and Qigong
These are mind–body intervention techniques that share the core features of Chinese martial arts and meditative movements through smooth and continuous body movements and breathing. There are many similarities between Tai Chi and Qigong in how they focus on the body (posture and movement), breath, and mind (meditation and mindfulness).
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) cites studies noting several health benefits for individuals with dementia, summarized below:
And you’ll discover the added value in the slow, rhythmic breathing.
In addition to improving balance, strength, and flexibility the slow, controlled breathing involved in these activities activates the body’s natural relaxation response and reduces physical tension. Family caregivers can guide their loved one to sit in a comfortable position, inhale slowly through the nose, and allow the abdomen to gently expand. A slow, steady exhale through the mouth should follow. Repeating this pattern several times can promote a sense of calm and stability.
If you are just beginning these relaxation exercises, it is important to consider your loved one’s abilities, preferences, and safety needs. Activities should be flexible, reassuring, and adapted to provide comfort, enjoyment, and a sense of success.
How to get started?
There are a variety of ways to begin enjoying the benefits of relaxation exercises. Check your community website for more information on classes and other resources. There are also plenty of online video yoga and tai chi/qigong tutorials and yoga sessions conducted by professionals. And you can enjoy them in the comfort of your own home. Either way, the time to get started is now!
Our Anthem Memory Community residents love their relaxation exercise sessions. Stretching, deep breathing, and connecting with their bodies is a healthy release of tension and stress. Sharing these sessions with fellow residents makes them even more enjoyable and relaxing.
We encourage you to drop by any of our communities and sit in on an exercise session. We craft each session to meet the unique needs and preferences of our residents. We will be happy to share tips to help you and your loved one find calm together through your own relaxation exercises.
Former Arkansas Razorback star Bill Burnett, sat down to chat with a reporter for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Burnett, still the program’s all-time leader with 46 touchdowns from 1968–70, was already battling severe memory loss and believed he was suffering from CTE, the brain disease linked to repeated head trauma and, in some cases can lead to dementia.
The once-dominant running back who carried the ball 526 times for Frank Broyles’ powerhouse teams is now a popular resident at Clear Creek Memory Care in Fayetteville.
Yet Burnett’s impact goes far beyond football. After college he helped build the Fellowship of Christian Athletes across Arkansas and founded a crisis pregnancy center in Fort Smith, raising the money and launching it without seeking credit.
Bill’s wife Linda visits and spends hours with him at Clear Creek every day. She helps feed him, keeps him comfortable, prays with him and reads him passages out of the Bible.
As for Bill’s football glory days? While his illustrative career was rewarding, it is far from the highlight of his life. Both Linda and Bill believe that those acts of faith and service matter much more than all those touchdowns that made him famous.
You can learn more about Bill’s and Linda’s journey by reading the full article in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
(Image credit: AP published by Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette)
Caring for a loved one in the middle stages of dementia can be both emotionally and physically demanding. During this phase, memory loss, confusion, and behavioral changes become more noticeable, and your loved one will likely need increasing help with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, and managing routines.
It’s important to remember, however, that challenging behaviors, like irritability, suspicion, or withdrawal, are symptoms of the disease, not intentional actions. Still, it can be overwhelming to families who become frustrated, not knowing what to expect and how to deal with it.
The Alzheimer’s Association has published information for caregivers to aid in better understanding and supporting a loved one during the middle stages of their dementia journey. We’ve summarized them below:
Cognition:
Memory:
Behavior:
Activities of daily living (ADLs):
Safety:
Communication:
What do family caregivers need to do to adjust to these changes? Here are some tips:
Increase hands-on support:
Adjust communication styles:
Optimize safety inside and outside their home:
Support routine and structure:
Adjust to behavioral changes:
As your loved one begins to show increasing signs of impairment, you will want to adjust your own actions and behavior to provide increasing levels of support as outlined above.
During these middle stages of dementia, it is important to understand that the damage caused to a loved one’s brain will cause them to become easily frustrated. That means that a normally gentle person may lash out and say hurtful things, or a once highly independent person may resist help and become agitated. These behaviors can feel personal, but in reality, they are symptoms of neurological changes beyond their control.
Reminding yourself that it is the disease speaking, not the person you know and love, can protect your relationship and your own emotional well-being. Witnessing their changes through that lens will enable you to meet them with compassion and maintain connection even as abilities decline.
The middle stages of dementia can last for several years. Over time, care needs typically progress from part-time assistance to full-time supervision and support. That is when a loved one’s needs may be better met in an environment that specializes in memory care.
Please feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We will be happy to answer your questions and help you and your loved one navigate this challenging journey by providing insights, tips, resources and emotional support. You are not alone!
Love was in the air at all of our Anthem Memory Care communities this month, with lots of activities and celebrations bringing many moments of joy to residents, families and staff members. From community service projects to Valentine’s Day luncheons, February was a month of connection and engagement.
Residents enjoyed sharing memories of their own love stories from years past with each other and staff, who enjoyed the many stories about how they met their spouses and their earlier lives together.
Here are just a few of the special events and activities that filled our days … and our hearts this February:
After 45 years of marriage, Bruce and Kay Williams renewed their vows in a beautiful ceremony at Clear Creek Memory Care in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
In recognition of World Cancer Day, February 4th, residents and team members of Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois made “hope packages” for individuals receiving care at Gilda’s Club Chicago, an outreach organization designed to offer comfort and encouragement to those undergoing chemotherapy.
Willow Springs Memory Care residents took advantage of a warmer February day in Redding, California to visit their local park and feed the birds, a favorite activity which always brings smiles.
Savoy Place Memory Care residents made pet blankets, which they hand delivered to The Scratching Post, a cat café and adoption center in Champaign, Illinois. Of course they hung around a bit to visit with their feline friends.
And here’s another vow renewal, this one taking place at Liberty Place Memory Care in West Chester, Ohio as five special couples celebrated fifty to seventy year anniversaries! A truly beautiful and memorable event.
Of course there were the Valentine’s luncheons, including this one at Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California, bringing residents, families, and staff together to share the love along with stories of Valentine’s Days passed.
To celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week, residents of Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois headed to their local Target store armed with "kindness bags" full of sweet treats to hand out to shoppers passing by.
Grace Point Place Memory Care residents and staff “let the good times roll” in Oak Lawn, Illinois during a festive Mardi Gras celebration.
What special moments have you enjoyed this month?
If you are a family caregiver of a loved one with dementia, next time you visit ask them to share some of the memories that still make them smile. What were their favorite fun activities back in the day? Who were their friends and how did they meet them? And, finally, how did they meet that special person in their lives? What special moments do they recall?
While engaging with your loved one in this way, you may learn something you never knew before, a small detail, or all about a person in their lives. Consider gathering photos and other mementos together to create a memory box or capture their recollections in an audio or video recording. Preserving these moments are special and remind us that our lives are enriched by our elders and by the special, loving moments we share with them.
(Our header image shows residents and middle schoolers from Our Lady of Perpetual Help who came together at Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois to enjoy a Valentine-themed “Senior Prom”. Needless to say, it was a huge hit!)
Residents and middle schoolers recently came together at Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois to participate in a very special event geared to celebrate a popular tradition that many residents enjoyed in their younger years. The Valentine-themed “Senior Prom” was a big hit, held in partnership with students from Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
The festive afternoon featured music, dancing, and lots of laughter and meaningful connections between the generations. Earlier in the day, the students assisted residents in adding a festive touch by making corsages and boutonnieres for prom participants. A photo booth added an extra dose of fun, capturing lots of great, spontaneous moments shared between the young guests and seniors. Finally, the pièce de resistance … the prom king and queen were crowned!
You can read the full story coverage in the Glenview Patch.
Maintaining independence for as long as possible is so important for people living with dementia because it’s closely tied to dignity, self-worth, and a sense of purpose. Being able to make simple choices such as what to wear, when to eat, how to spend the day helps them feel more like themself and not like a child whose every move must be monitored. Even small moments of independence can provide comfort and reassurance, reminding them that their voice still matters and that they are respected as a person, not defined by a disease.
If you have a loved one with dementia, you may begin to find it harder, as the disease progresses, to stand back and let them manage on their own. Whether fearing for their safety, or simply to save time, the tendency is to step in quickly and take control. However, at a time when they are already struggling to adapt, this can have a negative impact, making them feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or left out, even when the intentions are loving and protective.
This is why supporting their autonomy whenever possible, even in simple ways, helps reduce anxiety and preserves a sense of safety and trust. Encouraging independence isn’t about expecting too much, it’s about finding gentle, meaningful ways to help them remain involved in their own life, connected to their day-to-day activities.
Here are ten key touchpoints to help maintain your loved one’s autonomy and independence for as long as possible:
Family caregivers play a vital and compassionate role in protecting a loved one’s dignity during these changes. By supporting autonomy wherever possible and inviting participation in decisions both big and small, caregivers can help their loved one remain an active participant in their own life. It isn’t about doing less. It’s about walking alongside a loved one with empathy, patience, and respect as their needs evolve. These moments, even when they take extra time or effort, send your loved one a powerful message: You matter, and your voice still counts.
At our Anthem Memory Care communities, independence is at the heart of what we do. We empower residents to continue enjoying the activities they’ve loved throughout their lives while discovering new opportunities to use their talents and skills and pursue their personal interests.
We invite you to reach out to any of our communities. We’ll be glad to share our own insights, tips, and resources with you and learn how we might be of help to you and your family.
Love was in the air at Liberty Place Memory Care in West Chester, Ohio as five special couples renewed their wedding vows.
The wedding anniversaries ranged from fifty to seventy years together as residents, families, and staff gathered together to witness the beautiful ceremony.
Richard Menna remembered the moment he first saw his wife of seventy years, Eileen. It was at a party as Frank Sinatra songs played in the background.
"I asked her to dance, initially she said no, and I persisted,” Richard says. “She said yes. That was the beginning of our love story.”
You can watch full coverage of the ceremony and hear more of the love stories from the couples on WLWT Channel 5.