2018 February « Dementia-Caregiver.com

Social interaction, staff training reduce agitation in dementia patients

An approach to nursing home care that fosters interest and social interaction among patients and staff may reduce agitation and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia sufferers and improve their quality of life, a recent trial suggests.

“Agitation is a syndrome defined by a cluster of things including verbal and physical aggression, restlessness as […]

Support available for families affected by Alzheimer’s

For 33 years the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders support group Memory Makers has provided a place where families with a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can go to seek support, share their frustrations and learn from each other about what resources are available to them in Oxford.

The group was started by Jo Ann O’Quin. […]

Kathy Foster: We must take a BOLD stand against Alzheimer’s

Every 60 seconds someone in this country develops Alzheimer’s Disease, our nation’s most expensive disease. Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease because Medicare and Medicaid pay for two-thirds of all dementia-care costs. It’s time we treat this disease not only as an aging issue but as a public health issue.

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Prevent dementia by focusing on heart health

The graying of America has spurred widespread interest in ways to prevent dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other declines in cognitive function. More than 47 million people worldwide have dementia, and by 2050, that number is expected to reach 131 million.

Scientific research suggests the way to keep your brain working well is to […]

Virtual reality coronation takes dementia patients down memory lane

For 93-year-old Daphne Padfield, a dementia sufferer in an English care home, the arrival of a virtual reality (VR) headset offered a window back to the day in 1953 when Britain crowned its new queen.

“Those things don’t happen too often, so we were very privileged that day,” said Padfield, casting her mind back to […]

Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan to fund Stanford award to fight Alzheimer’s disease

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have launched a new effort with Stanford School of Medicine to fight Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative will be funding five-year and three-year grants to scientists, including one that will support early-career investigators willing to pursue bold, innovative ideas to fight […]

When a Loved One’s Memory Diminishes, These Caregivers are Here to Help

At the Penn Geriatric Medicine practice, Shauniqua Key met with a woman recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The patient was accompanied by a friend of 20-plus years, but she no longer recognized her friend.

“The patient was a former health care worker, so being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s was especially difficult to cope with. She […]

Carolyn Hax: Am I selfish to want compensation as Mom’s caregiver?

My mom is still sharp as ever mentally but has become frail enough physically that she sat down with me and my two brothers and told us she no longer thinks she can handle living alone.

She asked us all about living with us, and my brothers — both married — said it wouldn’t be […]

Is A Positive Mindset Really That Important For Combating Dementia?

Positive is not a word which immediately springs to mind when we hear the word dementia mentioned. This broad ranging disease not only can be both debilitating for those suffering from the condition (source), but also dramatically affects the quality of life of family members and carers (source).

With longer life expectancy, the incidence of […]

Brain Rules: A cure for Alzheimer’s?

There’s been a lot of news these last few days of a possible new enzyme related to Alzheimer’s disease as well as promise for better-informed treatment plans and the first step toward a cure. Here’s what you need to know.