Recently, Willowbrook Memory Care welcomed a group of local school children to join residents in putting together cards and gift bags for the local police officers as part of “Thank a Police Officer Day”. The children made colorful “thank you” cards and the residents stuffed gift bags with candies and other delights. The officers enjoyed […]
When a family struggles to come to grips with a older loved one diagnosed with dementia, the children are often kept in the dark. Why? In most cases it is because parents seek to protect their children, fearing too much information will cause them unnecessary stress. Efforts to block a child from a loved one’s […]
Are you a sports fan? Even if you’re not, you probably know someone who is. And, they have probably made it well known what their favorite teams are. That’s because the process of rooting for the “home team” is deeply ingrained in most of our lives, often having started in early childhood. But what happens […]
Moving your mom or dad to a memory care community involves a series of decisions, some easier than others. First, comes the realization that your parent can no longer live safely at home alone. Next comes the process of identifying, reviewing and making decisions on what the best environment is for them, given their particular challenges. […]
What is Shadowing? Can You Minimize It? Do you have a mom or dad with dementia who feels the need to keep you in their line of sight at all times? Do they follow you around the house? This is a common phenomenon referred to as “shadowing”. Angela Lunde, a Mayo Clinic expert on Alzheimer’s […]
It was not that long ago that, if your loved one was diagnosed with dementia, your only option would be to find an “assisted living” or a “long-term care” community. Assisted living is a term that refers to an environment where elderly residents are given assistance with their daily needs, usually with a nurse on staff […]
Families of individuals with dementia often tell us that one of the greatest sources of anxiety they experience is not having all their parent’s key documents in one place. They often find themselves in a state of flux, saying over and over “Yes, I know I need to find that,” or “I’ll have to go […]
At Anthem Memory Care communities, the kitchen is a warm, happy gathering place where staff, residents and families are encouraged to bake together. A great example of this is the weekly Girl Scout visit to Harvester Place Memory Care, an Anthem community in Burr Ridge, Illinois. The girls join the residents every Thursday to bake cookies and […]
As technology continues to produce innovative applications to serve the needs of older citizens, families are turning more than ever to computer programs to help loved ones struggling with dementia. Why is this? Research has shown that well designed computer-based applications are proving to be instrumental in helping individuals with dementia to retain a higher […]
The Alzheimer’s Organization, in a recent article, provided a striking example of the power art can have on individuals struggling with dementia. They describe two individuals who had lost their ability to communicate verbally, but who were able to express their lifelong passions through art. In one case, a man painted the birdhouses he had […]
Dr. Edward Creagen, of the Mayo Clinic, was once quoted as saying, “If pet ownership was a medication, it would be patented tomorrow.” It is a statement that most of us would agree with. Throughout history, much has been written about the seemingly miraculous effect pets can have on those who are ill or elderly. […]
If you are providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you have probably found yourself overwhelmed with the many demanding responsibilities. After all, you are carrying a heavy emotional burden on your shoulders. Perhaps you are telling yourself that you can cope; that you have everything under control. But do you? According to the […]
The Fourth of July is, without doubt, one of our noisiest holidays. Parades, pool parties and, of course, fireworks are the order of the day. If you have a parent with dementia, however, you know that these big noisy events can have a disastrous effect as they try to cope with all the excitement and […]
Nothing brings spontaneous moments of smiles and tears like family celebrations. For loved ones with dementia, however, those moments can be far and few in between. Yet, when they do occur, they are priceless. It is for these reasons, among others, that celebrating is an important part of socialization for individuals with dementia. And it […]
Experts in memory care have learned that environment plays a significant role in the well being of an individual struggling with dementia. Narrow, dark hallways with hospital-style equipment, low ceilings, small dark spaces; all contribute to an experience that fuels anxiety and a feeling of isolation in residents with dementia. Thankfully, research has led to […]