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 […]
Here is a new year’s resolution that probably didn’t make your list this year: Take better care of my brain. Yet it should be part of everyone’s “to do” list. That’s because brain health impacts every corner of our daily lives. Treating our brains with the respect they deserve can help ward off disease, keep […]
The holidays are over. For some it’s a welcome relief with the promise of a fresh new beginning. However, many Americans will suffer from what we call “post-holiday blues”. If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, the days and weeks following the holidays can be especially difficult. Why is that? There are […]
As we celebrate the beginning of a fresh new year, most of us have “resolutions” on our minds. And, yes, many of those resolutions involve losing weight or quitting bad habits, like smoking or drinking too much. However, if you are caring for a loved one with dementia, these resolutions may seem trivial compared to […]
The holidays bring with them plenty of opportunities to reach out and help others. Doing so not only brings some holiday spirit to those less fortunate, it also rewards those who give with a sense of usefulness, having helped another human being in need. At Grace Point Memory Care in Oak Lawn, Illinois, residents recently […]
As we all know, the holidays can be an emotional time of year. For many it is a season of family gatherings, filled with laughter and good cheer. For others it can be stressful and even depressing, depending upon the situation. One thing is for certain. When you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, […]
For many of us, along with the holidays come gift lists. “What should I get for mom?” can be a challenging question for many adult children, especially if mom struggles with a dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. As you head off to the stores (or laptop) it’s important to consider the level of cognitive awareness […]
“The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.” – Henry Ward Beecher November, as you may know, is National Family Caregivers Month. It is a month to show our appreciation and support for the caregivers in our lives. And there are many. The National Alliance […]
Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather to give thanks, catch up and share a special meal together. However, when a family member is diagnosed with a dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, the family dynamic changes dramatically. Nowhere is this more evident than at holiday gatherings. The hustle and bustle of a […]
As you may know, November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. It has been observed since President Ronald Reagan made the designation back in 1983. The purpose is to spread awareness of the devastating disease and to energize and promote research aimed at finding a cure. It’s important to note that, back in 1983 there were […]