Seasonal weather changes impact all of us. A blazing hot summer day evokes a very different physical and emotional response than a cold winter’s day. Yet, what many families aren’t aware of is that these same seasonal changes that we navigate through without much difficulty can bring tremendous anxiety to an individual with dementia. There […]
Setting a doctor’s appointment for a loved one who is showing signs of dementia is a unique and often daunting experience for families. Where to begin? Who to call? What will the next steps be? How will my loved one deal with the diagnosis? Start by setting up an appointment with your loved one’s general […]
Don Jacobson, World War II veteran and resident of Franklin Place Memory Care in Franklin, Wisconsin celebrated his 102nd birthday joined by fellow residents, staff, and family. Mr. Jacobson served in the Navy in WW II before becoming a tool and die maker at Allis Chalmers. He was married for 65 years and has 12 […]
When an individual is in the earlier stages of dementia, the symptoms can be easy for family members to push aside. After all, they’re getting older and more forgetful. That happens to all of us, right? Yet, at some point, real concern may begin to creep in. “How could mom forget the name of her […]
If you want to know how much our residents and staff love the holidays, just walk inside the doors of any of our communities and you’ll feel the joy. To be honest, we’re not sure which we enjoy most, the preparations, the visits from schoolchildren and families, or the actual holiday itself. We just love […]
A group of local homeschoolers joined Concord Place Memory Care residents and staff for a holiday celebration. The activities included crafts, tree decorating, and Christmas carols. The day was topped off with a visit from Santa Claus! Inter-generational activities are so beneficial to individuals with memory loss. The children enjoy the interactions too. You can […]
Not everyone is feeling the joy this holiday season. And residents of Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, Minnesota decided to do something about it. They have participated in the Angel Card Project, sending cards with handwritten notes to 17 states. The Angel Card Project is an internet-based charity that encourages groups to send greeting […]
We often hear from families who are seeking better ways of connecting with their loved ones with dementia. And, just as often, a family caregiver will share with us that exciting moment when, presented with an old photo, mom or dad perked up and proceeded to recall with great detail the individuals in the photo […]
To address the ongoing challenges of food insecurity in Milwaukee, residents and staff of Franklin Place Memory Care hosted a special month-long food drive, collecting 64 pounds of nonperishable food items. The food donations were then taken to the Hunger Task Force of West Milwaukee, Wisonsin where they will be distributed to local families in […]
The holidays bring plenty of opportunities for lunches and dinners with friends and family. Restaurants are decorated and everyone is in a festive mood with high spirits. It is a special time to reconnect and catch up while enjoying a meal together. It’s only natural that families would want to have a loved one with […]
When the holidays roll around, the gift lists come out. For some it is easy, a giftcard to a favorite restaurant or shopping site, a book, tools, jewelry, or whatever they’ve hinted at earlier this fall. For a loved one with dementia, however, gift giving can be more challenging. “Will she be able to operate […]
Residents of Pinnacle Place Memory Care in Little Rock, Arkansas have put together boxes of food for distribution by the Arkansas Food Bank. The residents refer to the boxes as "blessing boxes" and were eager to make sure that they worked together to make a difference for those less fortunate on Thanksgiving. It is so […]
We speak often with family caregivers and are always moved by their loving dedication to providing quality care for their loved ones with dementia. These amazing individuals are selfless in their support, spending hours day in and day out to ensure that their loved one has what they need at any given moment. For many […]
“There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers." – Former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter Those words are so true. Almost half of all family caregivers are providing care for a loved one […]
What is it about the act of patting a dog on the head, stroking the ears of a purring cat, or looking into the gentle eyes of a horse that brings a sense of tranquility and joy? Scientists have been scratching their heads over that question for decades. And while there appears to be no […]