When a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, often little is given to the patient or the family as they all are entering a very long journey of feelings of anger, disbelief, grief, depression, fear and concern. It would be my ideal that each family who must experience this disease is given a coach to help Read More
Dementia and Communication
It is important in communicating with someone who has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, to know the words they have always used for a room like the toilet – did they say “powder room”, “bathroom”, ”can” or another? If your family member is going into a care center, retirement community or dementia care facility and Read More
Confusion in Seniors During Hospital Stay – It Can Be Confusing…
How often I have heard from a family member that their mother is in the hospital and seems so confused! Patients who were functioning fairly well at home often seem unaware, forgetful or anxious when in the hospital. Sometimes there are reports of combative or agitated behavior; or concerns that a patient can no longer Read More
Memory Loss & Its Impact on Individuals & Families
When a family member is diagnosed with a progressive dementia, it is challenging not only for the “patient” but even more so for the entire family system. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s impact everyone in the family and sometimes in the community (if the person doesn’t have family). Those who oversee the care of someone with Read More
Children and Their Grandparents with Dementia
When a grandchild sees a grandparent losing the capacity to remember and they are less than 10 years of age, it is hard for them to understand what is happening to Grandma or Grandpa. Try to give the individual with dementia the pleasure of relationship with a younger family member – it just might be Read More
Alzheimer's and Meal Time
Recently, at a class I was teaching, someone asked why her mother with Alzheimer’s dementia would not eat in the skilled nursing home she was in when at home she didn’t have a problem. Often, in medical and residential facilities, they give the patient too many choices, a challenge for those with dementia. I told Read More
