Alzheimer's Care, Acceptance, Recognition, Change, and Life
In order to care effectively for a person living with dementia you must accept the way things are; and then, introduce change into your life.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomDementia patients find it difficult, sometimes impossible, to make decisions. When they say NO they are trying to tell you they can't decide.The word "NO" is one of the most frequently used word in the Alzheimer's World dictionary.What is the Difference Between Alzheimer ’s and Dementia Alzheimer's Communication Tip, No More Blah Blah BlahAs I began to write here in the Alzheimer's Reading Room in 2009,I was forced to think about my own car...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 2, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's care Alzheimer's Dementia dementia care dementia help for caregivers help alzheimer's help with dementia care memory care Source Type: blogs
How to Reduce the Stress of Alzheimer's
I came to accept Alzheimer's disease for what it is--an illness that will not go away.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomI slowly learned how to take control of each situation - one at a time.The technique -- labeling your feelings and thendiffusing stress by taking a few deep breaths really helps.Breath in your nose and out your mouth slowing. Deep breaths. You will feel the stress coming out of your neck.Learn About the Difference Between Alzheimer's and DementiaLearning how to reduce stress quickly is an important, integral, part of effective Alzheimer's caregiving. Reducing stress quickly allows you to communicate m...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - August 2, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer caregiver stress Alzheimer's How to Reduce Stress alzheimer's symptoms care of dementia patients health help alzheimer's memory loss stress alzheimer stress dementia Source Type: blogs
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 virtue.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomToday I am going to share a story with you about my mom, Dotty, and me. This story happened on December 31, 2009.Since many of you are new to the Alzheimer's Reading Room (6,400 new subscribers this year alone), I'll share this first. I took care of my mom, who lived with Alzheimer's, for eight and half years - 3,112 days.I know what it feels like to be a caregiver. I understand. I understand because I was one. It isn't easy being one of us.Read -Are Alzheimer's Caregivers the ...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 31, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's Alzheimer's family alzheimer's story alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients help alzheimer's help with dementia care kindness Source Type: blogs
Alzheimer's Care, Sitting in The Front Row
By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomKnowing that the day is coming when your loved one -- won't know you-- is the most horrific feeling of them all for anAlzheimer's caregiver.I often use the term "living Alzheimer's from the front row". This term describes caregivers that watch Alzheimer's take its course 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.10 Tips for CaregiversOnce Alzheimer's disease strikes,Alzheimer's caregivers get to witness the craziness that comes with Alzheimer's day in and day out.When A Person Living With Dementia Gets Angry and ConfusedIf you think it isdisconcerting to see someone living with Alzheimer's or a re...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 31, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's care caring for dementia patients at home communication dementia care dementia help for caregivers family caregiving grief health help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs
Can Liver and Diet Impact Alzheimer's Risk?
This research has a variety of interesting implications. For example, it highlights a potential relationship between conditions such as obesity and diabetes and Alzheimer ’s.ByAlzheimer's Reading RoomReduced levels of plasmalogens — a class of lipids created in the liver that are integral to cell membranes in the brain—are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer ’s Disease, according to new research.Plasmalogens are created in the liver and are dispersed through the blood stream in the form of lipoproteins, which also transport cholesterol and other lipids to and from cells and tissues throughout the body, i...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 31, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's risk alzheimers research diabetes diet health lifestyle liver obesity science Source Type: blogs
Can Constipation Kill a Person with Alzheimer ’s Dementia?
When constipation occurs in people with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia it can become dangerous and life threatening.By Rita JablonskiAlzheimer's Reading RoomConstipation is an uncomfortable annoyance for most people.Early in my nurse practitioner career, I practiced in internal medicine. I was asked to see an elderly patient with dementia because she had "diarrhea."Her breath smelled like poop. She had vomited before coming to the office.I was shocked to feel a hard, almost rock-like, abdomen. My exam revealed a constant trickle of watery poop. This was not diarrhea.What is the Difference Between Alzheimer ’s an...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 27, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer constipation alzheimer's Alzheimer's family alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients dementia constipation help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs
10 Commandments of Alzheimer's Caregiving
The 10 Commandments of Alzheimer's CaregivingWords of wisdom from our expert and memory care and caregiver expert Dr. Rita Jablonski.By Rita JablonskiAlzheimer's Reading Room1. I am still me ... I may forget parts of my life but I will never forget that I am an adult deserving dignity. Neither should you. My memories may go but my personality stays.Why People with Dementia Switch Back to the Past2. Treat me like an adult. My behavior may be child-like, but NEVER treat me like child. No baby talk!3. Come into my world, I can't function in yours. This means that I can't remember what happened 5 minutes ago but I can remember...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 27, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer awareness alzheimers care alzheimers caregiving dementia help for caregivers family caregiving help alzheimer's help with dementia help with dementia care Source Type: blogs
Adult Daycare for Dementia Patients Reduces Caregiver Stress
Caregiver stress is lowered, and mood is improved, on days when dementia patients attend adult day care programs.Theimportance of adult day care as a toolin effective caregiving cannot not be underestimated.Even one or two days a week can make a difference,and keep the dementia patient at home and out of a nursing home or memory care facility.6 reasons why you might have to put someone with dementia in a memory care facility or nursing homeBy Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:Health care providers, and health care regulators, are beginning to understand that the combination o...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 24, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: adult day care alzheimer's alzheimer's story alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs
Can You Change Patterns of Behavior in Dementia Patients?
People living with Alzheimer's and dementia are well known for their challenging and often difficult behaviors.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomWhat can you do about it?Dementia Care, Do You Need to Change?Listen Now or Continue Reading BelowHow to Change Patterns of Behavior in Alzheimer's and Dementia PatientsThe following articles broaden the scope of the podcast; and, should help you to deal with the difficult behaviors you are dealing with each day.1. 7 Ways To Deal With Difficult Behavior Caused By Alzheimer's and DementiaPersons living with Alzheimer's or a related dementia are well known for their ch...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 18, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: Alzheimer's family alzheimers and dementia alzheimers education and training alzheimers podcast care of dementia patients dementia care at home help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs
Looking for Meaning Behind the Words
She told us that she used to want to run her head into a brick wall when her mother started repeating the same story over and over.By Tom and Karen BrennerAlzheimer's Reading RoomThere is wonderful little tea shop that opened near us, and I have been visiting it with friends regularly.A month or so ago, I met an old acquaintance there; she wanted to learn more about the work that Tom and I do using the Montessori Method to help people living with Alzheimer ’s.Her mother was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer ’s and she wanted to get some tips on how to better help her mom.Empathy, Compassion and Joy in Alzheimer's CareA...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 18, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: Alzheimer's disease alzheimer's story alzheimers alzheimers caregiving Alzheimers Dementia health memory loss tea Source Type: blogs
Alzheimer's World Versus Reality
Once you accept Alzheimer's and learn how to operate in Alzheimer's World you'll learn that opposites can indeed attract. And stick together like glue.Imaginecommunicating with someone for 50 years or longer. Then they change. They are not the person you always knew? If not, who are they?The Effect of Emotional Super Glue in Alzheimer's CareBy Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:This person you always knew, starts acting and coping with the world in new and different ways.Strange, bizarre, unsettling ways. Many of these new behaviors make you angry, they drive you crazy, you fe...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 16, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: #alzheimersworld alzheimer communication Alzheimer World Alzheimer's Dementia alzheimer's communication strategies alzheimer's education alzheimers communication tips dementia care memory care Source Type: blogs
Managing Dementia in Acute and Long Term Care Settings (Webinar)
People with dementia demonstrate challenging behaviors when hospitalized; these behaviors are their way of communicating.The goal for this segment is to improve the hospital experience for people with dementia.We will discuss basic ways to decode the messages. We will also provide non-drug strategies that nurses and family members can use to manage the behaviors.Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:Watch Managing Dementia in Acute and Long Term Care Settings (Webinar)Contact Rita Jablonski, PhD, CRNP, FGSA, FAANTo receive CEU credits for this event (available before, during, and after the live broadcast) please v...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 16, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: acute care Alzheimer's family careofdementiapatients help alheimer's help with dementia care hospital dementia long term care nurses nursing care Source Type: blogs
2 Nonverbal Communications Tips for Alzheimer's Caregivers
Are you having difficulty understanding, coping and communicating with a person living with dementia? Try these 2 nonverbal communication tips.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomIt isn't easy to learn how persons living with Alzheimer's think, feel, and act; and, why they do what they do. How to listen to an Alzheimer's patientThis is understandable. No one taught us how to do it, and we are not prepared in life to deal with behaviors that are caused by brain disorders.When a person living with dementia changes the way they communicate with us most of us become what can best be calleddiscombobulated.Discombob...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 13, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's care alzheimer's caregiving tips Alzheimer's Communication alzheimer's tips alzheimers caregiver ’s dementia dementia and caregivers dementia care senior care Source Type: blogs
Why People with Dementia Say No (And What to Do About it)
There are ways you can interact with someone who has dementia to minimize the use of the word “No”, and to get them to cooperate more easily.By Rita JablonskiAlzheimer's Reading RoomPeople with dementia say “NO” to nearly every question or request.This is an incredible challenge for caregivers.In this article, I explain one reason for the non-stop no ’s …and offer strategies for preventing and managing the negativity.Dementia Patients are People TooSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:Patterns of Memory Loss and Retrieval ProblemsAll dementias share this same common feature:moving backwards in time.Th...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 13, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer Alzheimer's family care of dementia patients dementia care strategies elderly dementia care help alzheimer's help with dementia care no say no Source Type: blogs
Dementia Patients are People Too
One of the biggest problems we face in the Alzheimer's and dementia care communities is the abandonment of both the caregiver and the person living with dementia by family, relatives and friends.This causes a great deal of psychological and emotional pain forboth the caregiver and the person living with dementia.How to redirect an Alzheimer's patientSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:It is not unusual for caregiver to tell me that as time goes on, and as Alzheimer's worsens, one by one their family and friends fade away.Abandonment of Alzheimer's Caregivers is CommonIn the articleAre Alzheimer's Caregivers the ...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - July 13, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's awareness Alzheimer's Communication alzheimers care dementia care help alzheimer's help with dementia care how to communicate with dementia patients Source Type: blogs
