Cooking Up a Great Relationship

Posted by Steve Toll, care enhancement specialist on June 17, 2019 at 8:00 AM

There is nothing more satisfying than a home-cooked meal with friends and family. I have some fond memories of watching my mother prepare the family meal and smelling the delightful aromas that made my mouth water. I could not help sneaking a taste when Mom wasn’t looking. Of course, Mom knew exactly what I was doing, and she started to encourage my tasting behavior. She also started to ask me to help her with meal preparations and as I became more involved, asking questions, tasting and making flavor adjustments, I was learning to cook and having a lot of fun.

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Topics: Caregiving, Alzheimer's and Dementia, Activities and Lifestyle

Problem Gambling and Older Adults

Posted by Haley Kotwicki on June 3, 2019 at 8:00 AM

When I would visit my grandma at her retirement community, I would watch the parade of little white busses shuttling residents from one day-trip to the next.

My parents joined her for one of the casino outings.

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Topics: Caregiving, Alzheimer's and Dementia, Finances, Activities and Lifestyle

Creating a Safe Environment for Aging Loved Ones

Posted by Steve Toll, care enhancement specialist on May 21, 2019 at 8:00 AM

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, safety is the second tier of the pyramid just above the need for food and water. It is defined as “protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear.” When we think of creating a safe environment for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, the focus tends to be on elements of the physical environment that may be dangerous, but we often overlook the psychological aspects of feeling safe.

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Topics: Fall Prevention, Caregiving, Alzheimer's and Dementia

Surprising Information About Dementia and Memory Loss

Posted by ComForCare on April 17, 2019 at 8:00 AM

The term "memory loss" is commonly used as a shorthand for dementia, especially in regard to Alzheimer's disease where memory loss is a prominent feature. However, did you know that not all types of dementia include significant memory loss? Did you know some types of memory may remain more intact than others?

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Topics: Aging, Alzheimer's and Dementia, Healthy Living

Dementia and Challenging Behavior

Posted by Deborah Bier, PhD on February 7, 2019 at 9:45 AM

When people think of “dementia,” it is natural to next think “memory loss.” What we may not be prepared for is how other behaviors can change and even become difficult to manage. In fact, it is these challenging behaviors that families report as more troublesome than memory loss. 

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Topics: Aging, Home Care Planning, Caregiving, Alzheimer's and Dementia

The Holidays and a Loved One With Dementia

Posted by Deborah Bier, PhD on October 31, 2018 at 10:00 AM

When someone in the family has dementia, two important facts need to be respected, particularly around the winter holidays:

We want to spend the time we can with our loved ones. Yet, people, noise and activity can easily overwhelm those with dementia.

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Topics: Alzheimer's and Dementia, Holidays

Brain Functions Preserved the Longest With Dementia

Posted by ComForCare on September 12, 2018 at 8:00 AM

People with dementia have many abilities and functions preserved for a long time – even through the end of life. When we take time to understand what people with dementia can still do, we are taking the first steps in creating better days for them.

Here are two examples of how focusing on what is still possible can make a difference (all identifying information has been changed for privacy reasons).

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Topics: Aging, Home Care Planning, Alzheimer's and Dementia

Normal Age-Related Forgetfulness

Posted by Helen Beamer on June 27, 2018 at 8:00 AM

You want to do some shopping – but you can’t seem to find your keys. After a few minutes of frantic searching, you spot them on the kitchen counter, next to a pile of junk mail. “Now I remember,” you say, “That’s right where I put them yesterday when I brought in the mail.”
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Topics: Aging, Alzheimer's and Dementia

Communication and Dementia: Speaking Through the Silence

Posted by Deborah Bier, PhD on March 28, 2018 at 9:00 AM

Certain types of dementia (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Lewy body, Parkinson’s and frontotemporal dementia) may affect language ability. People who have these conditions may forget the names of people and things. They could use words that mean something entirely unrelated. Sometimes, they speak in “word salad,” using a combination of words and sounds that seem to make no sense. Over time, many might stop speaking entirely.

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Topics: Aging, Caregiving, Alzheimer's and Dementia

Not All Memory Loss Is Dementia

Posted by Deborah Bier, PhD on March 7, 2018 at 9:00 AM

When you or someone you love experiences a memory lapse, you may worry it is the start of dementia. Yet, most of us who have memory challenges as we age are not experiencing dementia.

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Topics: Aging, Alzheimer's and Dementia

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