Often those caring for a loved one with dementia avoid having visitors, especially over the holidays. It is easier to keep a low profile and not have to answer probing questions and deal with the startled looks on peoples’ faces when they experience a noticeable change in the family member with dementia. If that sounds […]
Thanksgiving is a special time for family and close friends to gather and share laughter, give thanks and enjoy great food. For most of us, the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving Day only adds to its enjoyment. If you are caring for a mom or dad with dementia, however, the combination of people coming and […]
By now you may have read some of the many articles and other news items proclaiming November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. Both deserve recognition, to be sure. However, if you are currently a caregiver for a mom or dad with dementia, all the recognition in the world can’t […]
When someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia, your world changes very quickly. You want to learn as much as you can about the disease and make sure you are doing everything possible for your loved one to keep their levels of cognition as strong as possible, for as long as possible. As hard […]
Along with being full of lots of memories, houses are also full of lots of “stuff” --- magazines, books, your old childhood school projects, toys, pots and pans that never get used, and a host of other things. If the clutter seems overwhelming to you, you can only imagine what it feels like to your […]
Highline Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado recently had a visit from Pippi the pig, a resident from one of their favorite local organizations, Hog Haven Farm. First a bit about Hog Haven. It is a non-profit rescue farm for potbelly pigs which has been operating since 2014. So far, they’ve rescued 100 pigs from […]
We all know that staying physically active is good for our bodies and our minds. But what about individuals with Alzheimer’s disease? Can physical activity have a positive impact on them as well? The good news is, yes! Several studies have provided strong evidence that physical activity is good for individuals with dementia, including Alzheimer’s. […]
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 […]