The Hazards of Alcoholism in the Elderly
Millions of people consume alcohol, but each person has their own unique relationship with this substance. While many are able to drink...
Brain Health
When Your Spouse or Parent with Alzheimer’s No Longer Recognizes You
Dear Carol: After decades together, my wife no longer recognizes me. She’s been living with Alzheimer’s for nearly ten years, so this is...
Ways to Help Older Adults Stay Active and Engaged
As family caregivers, we strive to meet all our loved ones’ needs. We give medication reminders, cook meals, manage doctors’ appointments, and...
Should You Join Someone With Dementia in Their Reality?
It was not unlike any other day, but on this particular afternoon, Dad was adamant. He was waiting for his medical degree...
The Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease (the 7 Stage Model)
The only certainty when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is that a senior’s condition will progressively worsen. The national Alzheimer’s Association has developed...
You Are Not Alone: Caregivers Share Their Experiences
Long-term caregiving can be isolating and lonely, which is why peer support is so vital to a caregiver’s mental, emotional, and physical...
Sensitivity Training Programs for Caregivers of People with Dementia: Part 2
Part one of Sensitivity Training for Caregivers tells about the first segment of my training experience at a local nursing home. Reading...
Sensitivity Training Programs for Caregivers of People with Dementia: Part 1
Please wipe this mess off of my face. Please! Don’t go so fast, I can’t swallow! I’m not ready for a drink...
Neighbor Asks if She Should Alert Woman’s Absent Family about Cognitive Changes
Dear Carol: I’ve lived next door to a woman for over twenty years, and while we aren’t close, we’re friendly and occasionally get...
Aphasia: Speech Problems Caused by Brain Injury
My uncle was an avid reader and loved playing word games. After a series of strokes, he had extreme difficulty communicating. The...
