Caregiver Corner

Brain changes with dementia are biological. The difficult part is cultural; we have a hard time understanding and accepting these changes. Caring for someone with dementia is navigating the space where executive functions retire and the primitive systems keep marching. ...

I can look back now and recall watching the changes with my own parents and realize that soon, my son will see these changes in us. In this natural cycle of life, how precious and fast the time does go.    ...

A fall won’t land you in a nursing home; rather the inability to get up will. Fall-prevention equipment is ineffective after a fall, and balance training won't help if you can't get up. Can you do it? Test yourself now. ...

Sundowning refers to a group of symptoms where individuals with dementia experience increased confusion, agitation, anxiety and other behavioral changes during the late afternoon, evening, and night. Sundowning is not a disease itself but rather a common pattern of behavior linked to the progression of dementia, particularly in the middle to later stages.  ...

Brushing teeth can easily fall to the wayside for many individuals with dementia. And for many caregivers, it takes everything they have just to get through the day, so oral hygiene may not be a priority. But skipping this daily maintenance can result in compromised overall health. ...

Spending time outdoors, even in the cold, misting rain and warm sunshine, was something my mom — and now research — both encourage and support. Everyone can benefit from going outdoors at least 10 minutes a day. Building a sun or outdoor break into our daily routines can be critical to better health. ...

If your goal is to stay at home as you age, it's time to reexamine your current health and home. Are you willing to adapt, modify and change to meet your changing needs as they evolve? ...

Is your older loved one in denial about their increasing forgetfulness and weaknesses? The lack of self-awareness or the inability to realize one’s limitations is known as “anosognosia dementia.” This isn't willful denial. Rooted in neurological changes, 98% of those with dementia also have anosognosia. ...