Anthem Memory Care Blog

“There is increasing evidence connecting cardiovascular risk factors with brain health,”-- Dr. Seth Martin, cardiologist at Johns Hopkins And yet many family caregivers of loved ones with dementia are not aware of this connection. Understanding the relationship between heart and brain health is especially important in keeping individuals with dementia as healthy and mentally sharp […]

We all want to remain active and alert for as long as possible. But what does healthy aging involve? We certainly know what unhealthy looks like. For instance, sitting on the couch and eating potato chips and chocolate cake all day will eventually catch up to us as we get older. But how can you […]

At our Anthem Memory Care communities, giving back is part of our daily lives. Our residents and staff are always seeking ways to channel their energies and creativity to help those in need and to give thanks to those who provide needed services within the greater community. Recently, in an effort to help stem food […]

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 […]

No one likes to be physically restrained. Whether it involves pinning down the arms or preventing an individual from moving forward, physical restraint often has the opposite effect of its intention. Unwarranted restraint can elicit a violent reaction to free oneself, creating an escalation of resistance that can have negative results. This is especially true […]

The medical world relies upon clinical trials to test new potential breakthroughs in medications and therapies by assessing their efficacy in humans. We all hear about them, but understanding how they work and who they benefit is another matter altogether. Most have more questions than answers. What are the different kinds of clinical trials for […]

Brain Awareness Week is a great opportunity to learn more about brain health. This is especially important for those who are caring for a loved one with dementia. The more aware you are, the better care you can provide. First, a few brain facts you’ll find interesting: There is a wealth of information about brain […]

How time flies! Anthem Memory Care turns fifteen this month. Ours is a story full of ideas, vision, challenges, and great joy. Founder, Isaac Scott, recalls the emergence of the Anthem concept from his own experience years ago. “I watched my grandmother transition from care facility to care facility and realized there had to be […]

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a good time to reflect on things family caregivers can do to maintain good mental health for themselves as well as their loved ones who are challenged with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s. You may be interested to know that there is a link between mental health and dementia. A […]

Ask one of our residents what their favorite animal visit was this year and you’ll probably get a different answer from each of them. That’s because our Anthem communities partner with local organizations and farms which enables them to bring a variety of beautiful animals to visit residents and staff. Some residents prefer dogs, others […]

When was the last time you took a walk? How did you feel afterwards? Maybe a little winded, but probably pretty good and ready to relax, right? A good, brisk walk is one of nature’s most perfect exercises because it not only works many muscles, but it feeds oxygen to the brain, increases energy and […]

Perhaps it’s your mom, dad or other loved one who has begun forgetting some of the basics --- how to operate the coffee maker, where they keep the cereal bowls, or even how to get to the store. Or perhaps he or she has become more confused lately, asking the same questions over and over […]

We all know that old postcards, newspaper clippings and photographs are almost guaranteed to spark memories, often about things we thought we had forgotten. The ability of mementos to unlock old memories can be especially powerful for those who live with Alzheimer’s disease. At our Anthem Memory Care communities, we enjoy learning as much as […]

Most of us can recall throughout our childhood being cared for by our parents. And, more often than not, it was mom who fed and bathed us, bandaged our cuts and bruises, and made sure we took our vitamins and stayed healthy. Today, however, for so many adult children the roles have become reversed. That […]

The days leading up to New Year’s Day are a good time to reflect on the year passing and think about some goals for the upcoming year. Yes, we all laugh at New Year’s resolutions, mainly because we know how hard they can be to keep. But a new year also marks a chance for […]