August is National Wellness Month. It’s a good time to reflect on your own health as well as explore new ways of living a healthier life. This is especially important for those of you caring for a loved one struggling dementia. You need to keep your own health operating on all cylinders to be able […]
When we think of dementia, the primary focus is on how it impacts short term memory. However, an often overlooked consequence of the disease is how it affects the way the brain recognizes and processes the five senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch. If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, here […]
Have you ever noticed how a good night’s sleep can make the next day’s challenges just a bit more bearable and the high points a bit more enjoyable? Of course you have. We have all experienced the added energy and improved frame of mind that comes with good sleep. And, conversely, we all know how […]
Are you getting ready to take a vacation? Are you wondering whether to take along a mom or dad who has dementia? It’s an understandable concern. Vacations, while they can be relaxing, involve getting away from familiar rooms, backyards and routines. That’s why we take them; to enjoy a break from the daily grind and […]
Do you meditate? If so, you are well aware of the power of meditation to restore a sense of calm and physical relaxation. If you don’t meditate you may want to consider it. This is especially true if you are caring for an elderly loved one. A UCLA study found that mindful meditation not only […]
Art has a way of connecting people and communicating emotions. Many artists find that they are more able to share their feelings and life experiences through painting and other artistic endeavors. For individuals challenged by dementia, art can often unlock emotions and memories that other forms of expression cannot. That is why exposure to art […]
Do you like to garden? If you do, then you’re well acquainted with its multiple, long lasting benefits. But did you know that gardening is also therapeutic for individuals challenged with dementia? That’s because gardening has been linked to improved emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. If you have a loved one with dementia, this is […]
Most of us can recall throughout our childhood being cared for by our parents. And, more often than not, it was mom who fed and bathed us, bandaged our cuts and bruises, and made sure we took our vitamins and stayed healthy. Today, however, for so many adult children the roles have become reversed. That […]
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness month, sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association to educate and heighten awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. It is also an opportunity to encourage individuals who suspect they, or a loved one, might be in the early phases of Alzheimer’s disease not to wait to take action. Alzheimer’s disease is a difficult […]
As the weather begins to warm up, most of us find ourselves longing to get out of the house. If you live in a colder climate, you may have been cooped up over the long winter and wet spring and look forward to shopping, visits to the park, cook-outs and warm evenings, sitting outside with […]
There’s nothing like a friendly game of croquet to get people talking and enjoying one another’s company. And, when it involves a mix of elementary school students and older adults, it is even more special. Recently, Chelsea Place Memory Care (an Anthem Memory Care community) located in Aurora, Colorado, partnered with students from Sagebrush Elementary […]
Liz Thomas had a great idea for an event at Amber Grove Memory Care in Chico, California. Why not gather together all the vintage wedding gowns of residents and staff and share them in a special wedding dress show? Liz, a friend of the mother of Brenda Reitz (Life Engagement Director at Amber Grove), is […]
We often hear from family caregivers how difficult it is to get a mom or dad with dementia to eat. Why is this? There are several reasons. The neurological changes associated with dementia can result in a failure to properly stimulate areas of the brain that recognize hunger and, accordingly, to take actions to satisfy […]
Much has been written about the physical and emotional benefits associated with walking. For individuals with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, research indicates that a regimen of taking short walks may help slow memory loss, as well as improve physical endurance. A 2017 study, conducted by University of Kansas, found that aerobic exercise, achieved through a walking […]
If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, chances are you find yourself struggling each day just to grab an hour or so for yourself when you can. It isn’t easy finding the time to attend to your personal needs. Whether it’s a doctor appointment or a long overdue visit to the dentist, […]