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, […]
Looking through your closet, picking out what you’re going to wear, getting dressed, and walking out the door. All are things you’ve done a thousand times, right? You don’t even have to think about it. For someone with Alzheimer’s disease, however, especially as the disease progresses, these simple activities can become overwhelming, causing anxiety and […]
If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, you may have noticed a difference in his or her behavior as we’ve gotten get deeper into spring. If so, it may be that they are experiencing something called SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. A recent study of 3,353 older adults in the United States, […]
If you find the term “dementia” a bit confusing and wish you understood more, you’re not alone. Often relatives and friends of individuals with dementia struggle to pinpoint exactly what type of dementia a family member has been diagnosed with. There is, therefore, a tendency to lump all dementias into a single category without really […]
Do you suffer from allergies? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans, especially during spring, experience the watery eyes and runny noses that come with seasonal allergies. And, like many health conditions, allergic reactions can become even more debilitating as we age. Compound that with an individual struggling with a dementia, such as Alzheimer’s […]
Bringing together our memory care residents with young people creates a wonderful experience for all who participate. Each person has something to share and something to learn from one another. To celebrate the festivities of Mardi Gras, Grace Point Place Memory Care in Oak Lawn, Illinois invited teens from the A.E.R.O Special Education Cooperative to […]
As we head into March, most of us begin longing for the first signs of spring. With spring comes warmer weather and more opportunities to venture outdoors. We all look forward to being able to open a window occasionally and not worry about a blast of cold air hitting us in the face. For individuals […]
As you may know, the 1950's and 1960's were the heyday of the department store. Many women back in the day would put on their hats and gloves and go “downtown” to shop, have lunch and occasionally enjoy a local fashion show, hosted by a local department store. In more recent years the fashion show […]
Valentine’s Day is, for many, a joyous day to celebrate with the person you love. Flowers, chocolates, cards and kisses are exchanged. For those who have either lost a loved one or are struggling to find a relationship it’s a day to “just get through”. But for those with a loved one who struggles with […]
As we all know, there is no drug or therapy yet proven to reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. There are, however, things you can be doing for mom or dad to optimize their physical and emotional wellbeing and to help them retain as much cognitive function as possible. Here are some tips recommended by […]
When a parent receives a diagnosis of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, everything changes. Adult children are faced with making decisions they thought they wouldn't need to make for another five or ten years. The status quo has been disrupted. For many, the goal becomes to keep mom or dad in their home as long as […]
There is nothing like a live performance to energize an audience. Especially when everyone gets to participate! At Chelsea Place Memory Care in Aurora, Colorado, students from Regis Jesuit High School worked with residents to plan and organize a cavalcade of music and visual presentations. As so often happens when young people get together with […]