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 […]
Earlier this month, twenty young students got together with memory care residents to have some Halloween fun making decorations and “super senior” costumes. The festivities were held at Grace Point Place Memory Care, an Anthem Memory Care community located in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The young people are students from local Southwest Chicago Christian School in […]
As we head into November, along with the holidays comes the onslaught of flu season. We all know that flu presents special challenges for older individuals. Much of it involves strength and the ability to keep air passages clear. When younger, stronger adults contract the flu, they will cough, clear their throats and blow their […]
Have you ever seen a child bring a smile to the face of an elderly loved one when no one else could seem to do it? It happens all the time. A young person’s enthusiasm and energy can often break through hard-to-penetrate personal boundaries that others cannot. This is also true for those with dementia. […]
For most of us, the days and weeks leading up to Halloween are filled with carved pumpkins, cardboard cut-outs of witches and skeletons and sometimes even cupcakes with frosting spiders. It’s all in good fun and we laugh, take our grandkids out for Trick or Treat and steal a Snickers bar or two. For someone […]
Highline Place Memory Care (an Anthem Memory Care community) in Littleton, Colorado, has a trailblazer living inside its lively, vibrant community. Emily Howell Warner, a 78-year old resident, has an exciting history, recently celebrated at Denver’s Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. Ms. Warner has the distinction of being America’s first female commercial […]
If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, how well are you looking out for your own health? Or are you, like so many others, so selfless in your desire to do the right thing for mom or dad that you ignore your own health? If that sounds like you, consider the […]
Most of us have come to rely more and more upon technology to assist us in our homes, especially as we grown older. We also turn to technology to help keep our aging parents as independent as long as possible. That’s true even if that parent has dementia. The question is always how long he […]
September is World Alzheimer’s Month. That means that organizations all over the world are holding events to bring greater awareness to this deadly disease. Here at Anthem Memory Care, we believe it is of utmost importance to keep abreast of the latest research, treatments and legislation impacting the lives of the residents we serve in […]
We often have family members ask us about personality changes when mom or dad is diagnosed with dementia. They will say, “I expected the memory loss, but now mom is acting strange in other ways.” With the heavy focus on memory and dementia, other behavioral aspects of dementia are often pushed aside. Yet they are […]
It isn’t unusual to encounter memory care residents who can’t remember what they had for breakfast, yet will quickly recall older memories. Sports is one thing that tends to pull forth deeper memories for those challenged by dementia. And, for residents of Chelsea Place Memory Care, that’s especially true if it’s Denver Broncos football! Every […]
No matter how long you may have suspected that a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, nothing can prepare you for the actual diagnosis of the disease. It is overwhelming. So it is important to know that you have resources available to help guide you as you take this journey with your loved one. You can […]
Recently three Anthem Memory Care communities in the Denver, Colorado area got together for a unique and fun event: a dog show! The idea was initially proposed by Ms. Helen Lee James, a resident of Highline Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado. Ms. James had a special reason for her suggestion. She had, in her […]
Next time you’re with relatives, take along an old photograph to share. Watch the reactions of your various family members. Chances are you’ll see some animated facial expressions along with laughter or maybe a few sarcastic comments. That’s because photos have an amazing power to connect us to memories and to each other. This is […]