There is a reason that we have something called “horse therapy”. These majestic, gentle animals have a presence that has been known to calm anxieties and infuse a sense of joy in those around them. This can be especially true for those living with dementia. Stroking the nose of a horse and looking into its […]
Depression and Alzheimer’s disease, especially in its early stages, have much in common in terms of behavioral changes such as sleeping longer, loss of appetite and withdrawal from activities once enjoyed. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you may have noticed behavioral changes that concern you. Of course, you want to make […]
Most of us remember, at some point in our lives, swinging a club in a round of miniature golf. Navigating the many mazes and encounters with cute little houses that would swallow up your golf ball were some of the fun challenges. For others, golf was a serious passion. They would take their clubs and […]
You often will hear it in doctors’ offices, stores, restaurants and even at home – younger people treating aging, disabled adults like children. This is especially prevalent in communications with adults who struggle with cognitive loss, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Even those adult children who vowed they never would, often find themselves resorting to “child […]
When school children sat down, recently, to read to Chelsea Memory Care residents the effect was transformational. Residents who may have been harder to connect with found themselves cracking smiles as the children diligently sounded out words, occasionally stopping to exclaim over colorful pictures. Chelsea Place Memory Care in Aurora, Colorado, is a big believer […]
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 […]