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:

1. Improves strength, balance, and flexibility.
2. Helps relieve back pain.
3. Can ease arthritis symptoms.
4. Benefits heart health.
5. Improves quality of sleep.
6. Can increase energy and improve mood.
7. Helps manage stress.
8. Connects an individual to those around them.
9. Promotes improved self-care.

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:

• Fosters improvements in cognition.
• Can help slow the progression of dementia.
• Builds greater flexibility, balance, and strength.
• Boosts overall mental health wellbeing.

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:

• Greater confusion about time, place, and current events.
• Forgetting personal details such as home address, phone number, or parts of personal history.
• Difficulty paying bills and managing finances.

Memory:

• Increased difficulty recalling recent events.
• Trouble recognizing friends and family members.

Behavior:

• Heightened frustration and mood swings.
• Suspicion or paranoia.
• Possible agitation or aggression.

Activities of daily living (ADLs):

• Requiring help with dressing, bathing, grooming, and other routine tasks.
• Reduced ability to manage household responsibilities independently.

Safety:

• Leaving the stove burner turned on or faucet running.
• Wandering out from the house and becoming lost.
• Forgetting to dispose of expired milk and other perishable food items.

Communication:

• Trouble finding the right words and forming sentences.
• Difficulty expressing thoughts clearly.
• Challenges following or participating in conversations.

What do family caregivers need to do to adjust to these changes? Here are some tips:

Increase hands-on support:

• Provide more assistance with everyday household activities, such as cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping.
• Help them with dressing, bathing, and personal hygiene to keep them clean and comfortable.

Adjust communication styles:

• Speak slowly and clearly. Avoid talking loudly.
• Resist filling in word gaps. Give them time to complete a sentence.
• Provide these tips to friends and family in advance of visits.

Optimize safety inside and outside their home:

• Install locks that are out of immediate reach. Consider an alarm system.
• Use monitoring systems that enable you to check in on their safety.
• Create information cards with their name, your name, and your phone number that can be kept their wallet or pocket.

Support routine and structure:

• Maintain a consistent daily schedule. Routine is very important to individuals with dementia. It will help minimize stress and confusion.
• Keep consistency with activities, especially visits and outings. Always prepare them in advance of special events or the need to travel.

Adjust to behavioral changes:

• Work with a licensed professional to better understand the emotional aspects of dementia.
• Develop tactics to help reduce their agitation and stress.
• Be mindful of situations and environments that trigger anxiety.
• Seek professional guidance from a physician with expertise in dementia.

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:

1. Simplify daily organization.
   Help your loved one use a single system, such as a large-print calendar, notebook, or phone reminders, for appointments and plans. Keep everyday items (keys, glasses, wallet) in the same visible spot. A clock that shows the day and date can reduce confusion.
2. Make bill paying safer and easier.
   Set up automatic payments for your loved one’s bills through banks and service providers. Be sure to help them review statements regularly and gently monitor for unusual charges to prevent missed bills or scams.
3. Keep meals simple and accessible.
   Go shopping with them or arrange for grocery or meal delivery when possible. Stock easy-to-prepare foods and label items clearly to encourage independence. As they enter mid stages of dementia consider Wheels on Meals or other local services that can deliver a pre-cooked meal.
4. Support medication management.
   Use weekly pill organizers, alarmed pillboxes, automatic dispensers, or phone alerts. Set them up in advance and check in with them periodically to ensure medications are taken correctly.
5. Plan safe transportation
   Watch for signs of unsafe driving and discuss concerns calmly. As some point, it will be necessary to help them transition to public transportation, rideshare services, or community and volunteer ride programs to maintain mobility and social connection.
6. Support predictable routines.
   Work with your loved one to keep their meals, bathing, activities, and bedtime on a steady schedule. Familiar patterns make it easier for them to handle these tasks independently.
7. Create a supportive home environment.
   Improve lighting, reduce clutter, and remove tripping hazards. Add grab bars where needed and use labels or pictures on drawers and cabinets to make items easier to find. Use reminder notes, labeled photos, or a simple memory board with names and relationships to reinforce recognition and orientation.
8. Promote meaningful involvement.
   Invite participation in familiar activities like folding laundry, gardening, setting the table, or listening to favorite music. Purposeful tasks help maintain skills and confidence.
9. Maintain their social connections.
   Encourage regular contact with your loved one’s friends, family, faith communities, or senior programs to reduce isolation and boost emotional well-being. Socialization is so important to brain health and to help them retain cognition and memory for as long as possible.
10. Protect their dignity and self-esteem.
    Focus on what your loved one can still do. Offer encouragement, step in only when necessary, and adjust expectations as abilities change.

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.

The winter months can be especially challenging for families caring for a loved one with dementia. Shorter days and less sunlight can throw off sleep routines, increase late-day confusion or agitation, and make feelings of sadness or restlessness worse. Cold, gloomy weather also means fewer chances to get outside, move around, or connect with others, which can add to isolation and frustration for both you and your loved one.

That’s why having simple, meaningful indoor activities on hand is so important. They can bring comfort, structure, and moments of connection during the long winter months, while helping your loved one feel calmer and more engaged.

Here are some activity ideas to make those gloomy winter days brighter and more engaging:

Music and Entertainment

• Music has the power to quickly lift a mood. Put on some of your loved one’s favorite music and sing along or dance. Gentle physical activity pumps more oxygen to the brain and improves muscle tone and balance as well.
• Schedule a movie night or afternoon to watch your loved one’s favorite films or TV shows. Fix a treat like popcorn or hot chocolate to make it a more festive event.

Reminiscence and Conversation

• Have memorabilia gathering session, sorting through old photos, postcards, drawings, and other family artifacts. This is also a good opportunity to clean out some old drawers and organize mementos in a more meaningful way.
• Create a memory book or box filled with your loved one’s recollections of childhood memories, family, pets, and special family events and traditions. 
• Work on tracing your loved one’s ancestry and building your family tree. Individuals with dementia will often recall names and events of earlier years. This is a great opportunity to take notes about their history.

Games and Cognitive Activities

• Schedule a game night, playing cards, checkers, dominos, or board games. Invite a relative or friend your loved one is comfortable with. Playing games encourages conversation and engagement. Consider trivia games from their era. They may enjoy recalling old movies, TV shows, books and trivia from their younger years.
• Work a puzzle together. Make sure it is simple enough to complete in a few sessions. Puzzles are useful in challenging the brain and helping to preserve cognitive ability.

Creative and Hands-On Activities

• Have a watercolor session or work with clay. Keep it simple, work at a casual pace, and it can be a relaxing, calming experience.
• Bring a bit of the outdoors inside by purchasing or cutting flowers and setting them up on a table to arrange in vases. Fresh flowers not only smell wonderful, they awaken the senses and can lift a mood.

Food and house activities:

• Enjoy a baking session. Whether it’s cookies, pies, or a favorite family meal, working alongside each other in the kitchen is a great way to encourage conversation and provide a purposeful activity for both of you.
• Straighten up the house together. Light housework gives individuals with dementia a sense of purpose and achievement. Folding clean clothes, washing dishes, dusting, and setting the table for a meal are reminiscent of comfortable routines.

Personal Care and Comfort

• Treat mom to a hand massage, style her hair, or give her a manicure. Human touch is so important, especially for individuals in the mid to later stages of dementia.

Ask your loved one which activities sound most appealing to them. Everyone is different and they may even suggest an activity you haven’t thought of. Including them in decision-making lets them know that their opinion is valued. It also helps preserve a sense of independence and purpose.

Try to plan two or more special activities each week. Adding them to the calendar gives both of you something to look forward to, breaking up the monotony and adding more variety into those long winter days. When you can, invite a family member or trusted friend to join in. Occasional visits from people your loved one knows and likes will lift their spirits and create even more opportunities for connection.

Remember, winter won’t last forever. As spring approaches, brighter days will bring improved moods and renewed energy, along with more chances for walks, outings, and time spent outdoors. Until then, these shared activities can help carry you both through the season with greater comfort, connection, and shared moments of joy.

Students from local Cole Canyon Elementary School partnered with residents at Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California, to create a unique collection of Valentine’s Day cards.

Together, residents and students traced their hands on cardstock, transforming each outline with colorful stickers and creative designs. Every card was packaged with a homemade cookie, all ready to be delivered to a nearby skilled nursing facility.

These meaningful intergenerational projects never fail to spark lively conversation and genuine connection, uniting students and residents in a shared act of creativity while giving back to the community.

You can read more about this project in The Press Enterprise.

After 45 years of marriage, Bruce and Kay Williams renewed their vows in a beautiful ceremony at Clear Creek Memory Care in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Kay is a resident of Clear Creek, which is only three minutes away from Bruce’s Fayetteville condo. Needless to say, he can often be seen by Kay’s side as they continue to enjoy moments of joy together.

And one of the most joyful was the ceremony itself, which was attended by the Williams family as well as Clear Creek residents and staff. It was a magical celebration. “It makes your heart flutter,” Bruce told a reporter from Channel 5 News. “We couldn’t be more excited, we couldn’t be more in love than we’ve ever been in our lives.”

You can watch the full coverage of the ceremony on the local Channel 5 News.

In recognition of World Cancer Day, February 4^th, residents and team members of Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois came together to assemble “hope packages” for individuals receiving care at Gilda’s Club Chicago, an outreach organization designed to offer comfort and encouragement to those undergoing chemotherapy.

Each package included handwritten notes of inspiration, lip balm, lotion, cozy socks, mints, and other soothing essentials. The care packages were personally delivered to Gilda’s Club, where Emerald Place residents also toured the facility and learned more about the support groups and programs available to individuals and families navigating a cancer diagnosis.

You can read full coverage of this heartfelt project in the Glenview Patch.

We are often asked if dementia is inherited. For most people, the answer is no. The majority of dementia cases are not passed down through families. In fact, many people who develop dementia have no close relatives who have had the condition.

However, researchers have found that certain genes can increase a person’s risk of developing what is often referred to as familial dementia. This is a rare form of dementia that is passed down through families due to specific inherited genes. In these cases, the disease is directly linked to genetic mutations and often appears earlier in life than more common types of dementia.

Having these genes does not always mean, however, that an individual will develop the disease. It simply means their risk is higher. The Alzheimer’s Association has cited extensive research on the role that genetics may play in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. These genes generally fall into two main categories, as follows:

Risk genes (APOE)  

• According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the APOE gene affects Alzheimer’s risk by helping move cholesterol and fats in the body. It has different forms (e2, e3, e4).
  • e2: may be linked to later onset.
  • e3: most common; has no clear effect on risk.
  • e4: increases risk and is linked to earlier onset.
• Everyone inherits two APOE alleles, one from each parent.
• One APOE-e4 copy raises risk, and two copies raise it further, but neither guarantees disease.
• About 40–65% of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s carry at least one APOE-e4 gene.
• In the U.S., 20–30% of people carry at least one APOE-e4 gene; about 2% carry two.

Deterministic genes.

• These genes directly cause the disease and virtually guarantee its development.
• They are rare, accounting for 1% or less of all cases.
• Deterministic genes lead to early-onset of the disease, typically between the 40s and 50s.
• This contrasts with most cases of Alzheimer’s, beginning at age 65 or older.

You can see from the above that, while rare, genetics can play a role in dementia risk. However, it is important to note that they are only one part of a much bigger picture. Age, overall health, lifestyle, and environment all influence brain health. Early awareness is critical to informed decision-making.

That is why we encourage families to arm themselves with knowledge and pay attention to early warning signs, such as changes in memory, behavior, or daily functioning. If concerns arise, seeking a medical evaluation and appropriate testing can provide clarity, guidance, and access to supportive resources. Early detection allows families to plan, explore treatment options, and focus on maintaining quality of life for their loved one as long as possible.

We invite you to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities for more information and insights from our professional staff. We will be happy to share our experiences with you and how we work together with families to support their loved ones living with dementia, helping them to live their best lives. We’re here to help!

Savoy Place Memory Care residents got busy with one of their favorite projects: making pet blankets to gift to The Scratching Post, a cat café and adoption center in Champaign, Illinois. Together they made forty beautiful, soft blankets that will help the center keep the animals warm during these cold Illinois winter days.

Activities like these do more than support a good cause. They help residents maintain their sense of purpose, giving back to their local community in ways that are meaningful, especially for those residents who have loved animals all their lives.

You can watch the full coverage of the project, including an interview with Destiny Umphryes, Life Enrichment Director, on WICS ABC News Channel 20.

The holidays have wrapped up, and our residents are diving into a fresh new year, busy with meaningful projects and activities that bring purpose, joy, and connection to their lives and to those around them. Many of these activities focus on giving back, such as donating clothing and handmade blankets for local organizations that support underserved communities. Others celebrate the unique skills and talents of our residents through art and music. And some are just plain fun, bringing smiles and laughter to residents, staff and families.

Here are just a few of the many activities our residents have enjoyed so far in 2026… and we’re only getting started!

Residents at Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois worked together to make hand-tie quilts for the Family Promise North Shore Homeless Shelter, to provide warmth and comfort to families and individuals in need during the cold winter season.

Who says it never snows in Murrieta, California? Vineyard Place Memory Care residents enjoyed frolicking with local school children for a “snow day”. They quickly found out that snow is snow, even from a snow machine, and the smiles on their faces say it all!

Willow Springs Memory Care residents in Redding, California already have their eyes on spring, hand painting bird feeders to hang on their grounds. Looking forward to the visiting birds when the weather warms up.

Churchill Place Memory Care residents express their appreciation to local Glen Ellyn, Illinois first responders by paying a visit to the Glen Ellyn Police Station where they dropped off “goodie bags” filled with treats and personal notes of gratitude.

Concord Place Memory Care residents and staff celebrated “Humanitarian Day” in a deep dive research session into the lives of individuals who have sacrificed their lives to make the world a better place. This photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. also celebrates the civil rights leader’s January birthday!

Artists in session: Emerald Place Memory Care residents show off their artistic talents in a special watercolor session. Many residents have been artists all their lives and continue to enjoy expressing themselves through creative projects like this.  

Vineyard Place Memory Care residents deliver their handmade blankets to the local Y.E.S. Shelter to distribute to underserved members of the Murrieta, California community. Giving back is an important part of life for residents of all our communities.

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, consider starting the new year by sitting down and planning a few meaningful activities you can enjoy together. These shared moments will bring structure and a greater sense of purpose to the long winter days. And these activities don’t need to be elaborate. Something as simple as spending an hour every week looking through a family photo album or setting aside an old movie day can make a big difference. Having something to anticipate and look forward to is so important for individuals living with dementia … and just as vital for the family members who care for them.

(Our header image shows just how much our communities enjoy celebrations. This lovely resident of Willowbrook Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado toasts in a fresh new year.)

Many families with aging veterans are not aware of the connection between military service and an increased risk of dementia. They may also not realize that there are specialized medical care and support services available specifically for veterans living with dementia. Understanding both can make a meaningful difference, helping the loved one receive an accurate diagnosis and families find the right resources to support their loved one along the dementia journey.

If you have an aging loved one in your family who is a veteran, the first step is to learn about the dementia risk factors that are more common among veterans, especially those who served on active duty. These risk factors include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): According to research cited by the Alzheimer’s Association, certain types of TBI may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's or another type of dementia years after the injury takes place.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The National Institutes of Health has cited studies linking stress and PTSD to an increased risk of memory impairment and dementia in later life. In fact, older male veterans were nearly two times as likely to develop incident dementia compared to those without PTSD.
• Depression: Studies have shown possible links between depression experienced by veterans and the development of dementia.
• Other factors: Experiences including exposure to neurotoxins during war, as well as veterans who were prisoners of war (POWs) have also been linked to a greater risk of developing dementia. 

What are some of the early signs of dementia among aging veterans?

• Cognitive and behavioral changes: Watch for confusion in familiar settings, difficulty following directions, repeating questions, disorientation as to place and time, and challenges with daily self-care such as bathing or eating.
• Emotional changes: Individuals may experience increased anxiety or depression, along with agitation, aggression, wandering, hallucinations, delusions, and declining memory and judgment.
• Sundowning: The may experience confusion and agitation, which intensifies in the late afternoon or evening.

Noticing any of the above in your loved one should lead to your next step, which is to help them get tested, the earlier the better. An early diagnosis will help them gain faster access to the resources, medications, and therapy they need to help them live a more active, independent life for as long as possible.

The following resources provide information, programs, and links to additional resources for families of veterans with dementia:

• Alzheimer’s Association Veterans-Focused Resources
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Family Caregiver Alliance
• Wounded Warriors Family Support
• DAV (Disabled American Veterans)
• VA Dementia Care Resource Guide

We also encourage you to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities.

We have an active, engaged veteran resident population inside all our communities and will be happy to share our experiences, insights, and tips with you. Ask us about our dementia support groups, led by licensed professionals, which allow family caregivers to share their experiences and concerns with others.

Veterans and their families face unique challenges when it comes to health and wellness. Those who have served on active duty often minimize physical or mental health concerns and may be hesitant to ask for help. That is why it is important for family members to be aware of the signs of dementia and to take proactive steps to get their loved ones tested and enrolled in programs to optimize their physical and emotional health.

Again, we welcome you to reach out to us for additional resources and to learn more about our dementia support groups and other programs. Early diagnosis and professional guidance will be key to effectively caring for your loved one with dementia. And, we are always here to help!