You may have seen it on the news or social media – two new studies suggest soda pop may be linked to stroke and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The studies appeared in the journals Stroke and Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

If you’re a soda pop drinker – sugary or diet – this may give you pause for thought. Here are four things to consider:

Recently, I came across an article that struck a chord with me. Terry Jones, a member of the comedy team, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, announced his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in September 2016. A newer interview provided an update about Terry’s condition, and also a request from his family: raise awareness about FTD and help others cope with it.

As an advocate and educator of dementia care practices, I want to honor their wishes by sharing more information about this less well-known form of dementia.

Nine out of 10 people 65 and older want to stay in their home as long as possible. However, many will need assistance to do so. That’s where in-home care comes in.

Home care helps seniors continue to live in their own home and continue to do all the things they love.

Some of our offices use animal therapy as a part of their caregiving services. Check out our featured offices and meet their furry caregivers.  

You’ve heard of the three R’s of education: reading, writing and ‘rithmetic. You probably know about the three R’s of recycling: reduce, reuse and recycle. Having a list of three R’s can help us recall and prioritize what is most important.

Memory loss is the most commonly known disability connected with dementia. Yet, dementia is so much more than just a memory disorder. Here are some other types of disorders that may occur with dementia:

It’s the second leading cause of blindness in the world – glaucoma. And it affects more and more people every year. In 2013, an estimated 64 million adults 40-80 years old had glaucoma. That number is expected to rise to 76 million by 2020. Here is what you need to know the so-called “silent thief of sight.”

By Bryn Huntpalmer 

If you stop to think about it, you can probably recall a time a social worker made a life-changing difference for you, your loved ones or your neighbors. Consider the social worker who fielded an emotional hotline call about mental health services. What about the social worker who reviewed that lengthy, complicated Medicaid application?
Maybe it was the school social worker who counseled an errant child about behavior concerns. Or perhaps a social worker who led the grief counseling sessions you attended after a loved one died.

Given all the impact social workers have on us personally and the world at large, it’s good to take a few moments during Social Work Month to applaud their strengths:

Walkers can help seniors remain independent and safe by providing stability and assurance. If not used properly, though, walkers and other assistive walking devices can cause the accidents they were meant to prevent. It’s crucial to select a walker suited to your needs, learn how to use it correctly and maintain the walker's integrity.