I Cannot Get a Minute for Myself
It is not unusual in Alzheimer's care settings for dementia patients to seek constant attention. What can you do to alleviate this problem?By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomI received this via email from our Reader Brian.Hi Bob! I have been reading you posts on the Alzheimer's Reading Room for some months now and find them very informative and uplifting.I have been caring for my mother for just over 6 months now who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 2 years ago, even though I and other members of our extended family suspect she had it a lot longer.To be honest with you,I find caring for her very tiring and weary som...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 22, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's care Alzheimer's Communication Alzheimer's Dementia dementia care help alzheimer's help with dementia help with dementia care Searches related to Alzheimer's Caregiver Source Type: blogs
Are You Trying to Convince Someone with Alzheimer's?
I finally learned how to convince a person living with dementia to do what you want them to do.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomAfter readingCommunicating in Alzheimer's World -- our reader Judy commented:So this may work well with the eating, but how about with the going home or someone is stealing from them or trying to hurt them?As anAlzheimer's caregiver it is helpfulto understand that many of the problems you see andare experiencing each day are also being experienced by other Alzheimer's caregivers.There are a lot of common problems.Not wanting to take ashower.Urinary tract infection. Getting up in themiddle of ...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 21, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's alzheimer's caregiver resources Alzheimer's family alzheimer's story alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs
Dementia Care, Are You Trying to Convince Someone with Alzheimer's?
I finally learned how to convince a person living with dementia to do what you want them to do.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomAfter readingCommunicating in Alzheimer's World -- our reader Judy commented:So this may work well with the eating, but how about with the going home or someone is stealing from them or trying to hurt them?As anAlzheimer's caregiver it is helpfulto understand that many of the problems you see and are experiencing each day are also being experienced by other Alzheimer's caregivers. There are a lot of common problems.Not wanting to take ashower.Urinary incontinence. Getting up in themiddle of n...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 21, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's alzheimer's caregiver resources Alzheimer's family alzheimer's story alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs
5 Ways People Living with Alzheimer's Can Have Fun
While I was caring for my mom, who lived with Alzheimer's, I learned that she reacted much better to visual cues than she did to verbal cues.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomThis lead me to the conclusion that she couldlive a happier and more engaged life if I added visual cues to our daily environment and activities.A toy parrot, stuffed animals that sing and dance, baby dolls, puzzles, and even a cup of coffee can help a person living with dementia to have a happier life.People living with Alzheimer's want to have fun, just like you and me.The Importance of Touch and Kindness in Dementia CareSubscribe to the Alzheim...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 19, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimers care care of dementia patients dementia care elder care help alzheimer's help with dementia care home care senior care Source Type: blogs
Why People Living with Dementia Want to Go Home (Podcast, Caregiving)
When my mother who lived with Alzheimer's first started saying - I want to move back to south Philadelphia I really couldn't understand why?By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomShe had not live in Philadelphia since the1940s; and, had been living in south Florida for more than30 years.Saying I want to go home, to a place from the past, is a common occurrence among people living with dementia. Most caregivers hear this over and over and have problems dealing this this issue.It took a while but I finally figured out why andwhat to do it about it.Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:Listen NowIf you would pref...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 18, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's Alzheimer's family alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients caregiving help alzheimer's help with dementia care podcast Source Type: blogs
Pacemaker for the brain shows promise in slowing rate of decline in Alzheimer ’s Patients
The pilot study of Alzheimer's patients found that deep brain stimulation targeting frontal brain regions can reduce the overall performance decline typically seen in people with mild Alzheimer ’ disease.ByAlzheimer's Reading RoomWhile most treatments for Alzheimer ’s disease focus on improving memory, researchers atThe Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center conducted a studyaimed at slowing the decline of problem solving and decision-making skills in these patients.Thin electrical wires were surgically implanted into the frontal lobes of the brains of patients with Alzheimer ’s disease to determine if using a b...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 16, 2018 Category: Neurology Source Type: blogs
Can Alzheimer's Caregiving Get Easier?
The effort it takes to foster contentedness in my mother, who lives in the late middle stages of Alzheimer ’s Disease – that seems easier to me. Easier than last month. Easier than last year. What’s changed?By Pamela R. KelleyAlzheimer's Reading RoomWhat do you mean, easier?Does it get easier to care for someone living with Alzheimer's disease?The work, the labor, the volume of chores and tasks that fill the minutes from before first light until long after sunset –this part doesn ’t diminish, it grows.Care of Dementia PatientsBut,the effort it takes to foster contentedness in my mother, who lives in the late midd...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 16, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: advocate alzheimer's care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients health help with dementia care how to podcast Source Type: blogs
5 Things Every Caregiver Should Say and Think to Themselves
1. I am going to be doing this for a while, so I may as well go ahead and become the best caregiver I can be.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomWhat you think and what you feel are important. Are you trying to be thebest caregiver you can be?If youthink negatively the situation will remain negative.If youthink positively the situation will turn positive.An effective Alzheimer's caregiveruses their brain to find ways to improve the situation. The more activities you engage in the better the situation becomes.Dementia Patients are People Too2. If I learn how to think of my love one as deeply forgetful, maybe I will stop t...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 16, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's caregiving Alzheimer's Dementia care of dementia patients caregiver excellence dementia care health help alzheimer's help with dementia care memory care facility senior care Source Type: blogs
Rewiring My Brain and Stepping into Alzheimer's World
This article is a repeat of an article that was published previously. It ranks in the top 25 most frequently read articles on the ARR, and has been widely shared via on Google+ and Facebook.Related ContentWhat is the Difference Between Alzheimer ’s and DementiaTest Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Tests)Care of Dementia PatientsAlzheimer's Care Be a GuideMemory CareProblems with Balance, Walking, Falling Can Be an Early Sign of DementiaCitationPublisher Alzheimer's Reading RoomAuthor Bob DeMarcoJune, 2011Title: Rewiring My Brain and Stepping into Alzheimer's Worldhttps://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2011/06/rewiring-...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 14, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: #alzheimersworld care of dementia patients dementia care elder care family caregiving help alzheimer help with dementia care home care learning memory care senior care Source Type: blogs
Afraid of Making the Wrong Caregiver Moves?
Behind every good caregiving intention is usually a fair amount of love and caring.By Paula Spencer ScottAlzheimer's Reading RoomAre you sometimes nagged by the question,Am I getting this right?What is the Difference Between Alzheimer ’s and DementiaSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:Few of us cast into the role of Alzheimer's caregiver have training or experience in dealing with the many difficult decision we face each day.Should Dad stay on the combination of Aricept and Namenda?Which child's house would be best for him to live in?Is it better for him if we don't bring him on vacation with us?Do we go ahead...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 12, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimers alzheimers quote care of dementia patient caregiving connectalzheimersdementia dementia nursing care health how to senior care Source Type: blogs
Help Alzheimer's
Do you need help with Alzheimer's caregiving or caring for a dementia patient?By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomOur labels pages make it easier for you to find the information you need as acaregiver to solve problems; or,how to better understand a person living with Alzheimer's or a related dementia.Here are a few examples of articles that might be of help to you. You can find the link to the labels page below number 10.Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:1.Can a Dementia Patient Remember an Act of Kindness?Kindness is a behavior marked by a pleasant disposition, and real concern for (an)other. Kindness is a...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 9, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's Alzheimer's family alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients caregiving help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs
Can an existing Alzheimer's drug stop Alzheimer's disease if taken before symptoms develop?
About 50 percent of people who reach the age of 85 will develop Alzheimer's disease.ByAlzheimer's Reading RoomMost Alzheimer's patientswill die about eight years after exhibiting the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.Severememory loss and a precipitous decline in cognitive function are the hallmarks of the disease.But the molecular processes that lead to the disease will have begun many years earlier.What is the Difference Between Alzheimer ’s and DementiaSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:Alzheimer's drug may stop disease if used before symptoms develop, study suggestsCurrently, there are no known ways to prev...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 7, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimers cure alzheimers drug alzheimers research brain care of dementia patients FDA health memantine memory loss preventing alzheimers science Source Type: blogs
Spouses of Dementia Patients Pay a Heavy Toll
I had to put my life on hold when I decided to take responsibility for my mother. After 8 years of care giving, I found great emotional reward in caring for her. However, I met other caregivers that were clearly suffering from the experience.byAlzheimer's Reading RoomAstudy of spouses ofdementia patients at Case Western Reserve University found that:Some caregivers may have feelings of guilt about participating in activities with friends or in the community when their loved ones are no longer able to do soCaregivers report feelings ofsadness and loneliness25 percent of caregivers in the study suffered fromdepressionand, on...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 6, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer Alzheimer spouses Alzheimer's support group alzheimers disease Dementia Patients loneliness medical science mental health sadness Source Type: blogs
90 Percent of People Caring for a Family Member with Dementia Don ’t Get Enough Sleep
The study found that 91.7% of caregivers suffer from poor sleep and that this can lead to depression, heart disease, and premature death.By Alzheimer's Reading RoomThe study suggests that sleep quality for family caregivers of individuals with dementia varies considerably from night to night.Understanding the complex interrelationships among caregivers ’ sleep and other contributing variablesis an important first step toward the development of individualized and effective treatment strategies.What is the Difference Between Alzheimer ’s and DementiaThe GistThe study aimed to identify factors related to family caregivers...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 3, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's Alzheimer's family alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients caregiving statistics Family Caregivers help alzheimer's help with dementia care sleep Source Type: blogs
Are Dementia and Depression Related?
Symptoms of depression are associated with more rapid cognitive decline among older adults with dementia, according to a study investigating the link between symptoms of depression and dementia onset.ByAlzheimer's Reading RoomThis research really caught my attention. My mother, Dotty did seem depressedwhen I first moved to Delray Beach, Fl to take care of her.When I talked to our doctor he suggested we consider a psychological consult. I decided against it because I could not find a doctor that was well versed in psychology and dementia. They are not that easy to find.Instead, I decided to get Dotty up, around, into t...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 3, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's care Alzheimer's Dementia care of dementia patients care of dementia patients at home dementia care dementia help for caregivers DEPRESSION help alzheimer's memory care facility Source Type: blogs
