Do you find yourself holding your breath as your dad or mom shuffles across the floor, daring to exhale only after he or she is finally settled into a chair? That shuffling gait, so common in older adults, can be caused by many things, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. What happens, due to a combination […]
You know that great feeling you get after a workout or walk around the block? It’s easier to breathe, your muscles feel re-charged and you feel calmer and more relaxed. Well, guess what? Individuals with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, get that same feeling. They may not be able to communicate it to you, but their […]
A lot has been written about the effect that different foods have on memory. Some foods are known to boost brain power and keep Alzheimer’s at bay. Others have actually been linked to Alzheimer’s. And, in some cases, to make things even more confusing, there are differing opinions. Take red meat, as an example. The […]
Who doesn’t remember playing games as a child growing up? Most of us recall the great feeling of winning a round of Gin Rummy or beating mom or dad in a game of checkers. When a loved one has a dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, however, it can be difficult for them to concentrate, let alone […]
Anne Ellett, M.S.N., N.P., is worth listening to. She is a respected dementia care expert and the founder of memorysupport.com, a great resource for all things relating to dementia. She also participated on a panel of dementia experts following a preview of the film, “Alive Inside” in Denver, CO, hosted by Anthem Memory Care in […]
Have you ever felt the frustration when your mom or dad forgets meeting a person or a recent event? How often have you said, “You know her, Mom. You met her last week at lunch.” Or “You remember, we went there last week.” Phrases like “You remember” and “You know” no longer have relevance to […]
Socialization is important for all of us. But for those experiencing a form of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, it takes on an even more critical role. What do we mean by socialization? Put within the context of an individual experiencing a dementia, socialization provides a controlled, yet varied climate of both human and environmental interaction. […]
Many caregivers with parents who struggle with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia have asked us about respite care. Respite care is an arrangement you can make to have a loved one stay in a senior living community for a couple weeks or more. It gives you, the caregiver, a badly needed break to relax […]
When you move a loved one into a memory care community, you worry about all kinds of things. And, perhaps, most of all, you worry about the people into whose hands you are entrusting the care of your loved one. Who are they? Are they passionate about what they do? Will they be patient and […]
“This is excellent!” exclaimed Anthem Memory Care resident, Tom Crow. “I would do something like this again for sure.” Tom Crow was chatting it up about Anthem Memory Care’s inaugural Ki Aikido class, held earlier this month at Little’s Creek Park in Littleton, Colorado. Over 30 participants stretched their arms, punched the air and hollered […]
If you ask a lawyer to define what it means to “take care of” someone, you would get an answer like “to make sure that someone’s needs are met”. Makes sense. But when we speak those words lovingly to an elderly mom or dad, the phrase becomes so much more than three words. It digs […]
If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia and have been asking yourself lately “What do I do now?” or “How can I do on?” you are by no means alone. You are a normal, caring person shouldering an enormous responsibility. But you can’t tackle this by yourself. Consider joining a […]
When you are providing in-home care for a mom or dad or other loved one, there comes a point when you realize that he or she needs a level and type of memory care you are no longer able to provide. You may not talk about it, but the nagging feeling doesn’t go away. For […]