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When a parent living with dementia starts sleeping more than they once did, it can be difficult not to worry. Maybe they fall asleep in their favorite chair shortly after breakfast, spend much of the afternoon napping, or begin going to bed hours earlier than they used to. You may
Most people rely on their memory to make sense of the day ahead. We remember appointments, recognize familiar routines, and feel confident that everything is under control. For someone living with dementia, however, that sense of certainty gradually slips away. Everyday events can become confusing, and even familiar situations may
How do you know when living alone is still working…and when it’s not? After a dementia diagnosis, this question doesn’t always come up right away. In fact, there’s often a stretch of time where everything feels surprisingly normal. You might walk into the home and see familiar routines still in
You know Mom better than anyone—her humor, quirks, habits, and emotional rhythms. That intimate knowledge gives you a frame of reference for what’s “normal.” So when she seems just a little different—not tired, not distracted, but truly changed—it deserves attention. Researchers now believe that certain long-term shifts in behavior or
Certain changes in a loved one’s behavior only make sense in hindsight. Once a doctor finally names what’s been happening, all the strange moments you brushed off suddenly connect. Before that point, though, it’s surprisingly easy to dismiss early dementia symptoms in seniors as personality quirks, typical aging, or simple
The holiday season is a time for warmth, laughter, and memories that shimmer brighter than any tinsel. It’s not the perfect ornaments from the store that mean the most—it’s the ones that carry stories. The crooked paper star from first grade, the faded picture ornament from a long-ago vacation, or
Dad’s steps aren’t quite what they used to be. They’re shorter, slower, sometimes uneven. Parkinson’s disease can make every movement a little less certain. But researchers have discovered a surprisingly simple Parkinson’s walking therapy that may help people regain steadier footing—one that doesn’t require any equipment, appointments, or expense.
Preparing a loved one with Alzheimer’s for a medical appointment can test anyone’s patience and heart. What might seem like a simple outing often turns into a long, emotional process — convincing them to get dressed, calming their worries about where they’re going, navigating confusion in the car, and then
Cancer doesn’t always make a grand entrance. It may creep in quietly through vague symptoms or make itself known in an instant with one word from a doctor that changes everything. But no matter how it starts, one thing becomes clear quickly—cancer doesn’t impact just the patient. Its reach extends
Alzheimer’s care doesn’t come with a manual. Most caregivers find themselves learning through trial and error, doing their best to adapt while navigating daily changes and uncertainties. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. The unpredictability can feel overwhelming, but small changes in how you approach caregiving can make a
Sometimes, the spark behind an unexpected behavior in someone living with dementia isn’t a conversation or a person—it’s the space around them. Something as subtle as a rearranged chair, an unfamiliar scent, or a flickering shadow on the wall can throw their internal compass off balance. What seems insignificant to
You made it through the day. Meals were handled, the house is quiet, and you’re hoping for a few peaceful moments. But then, out of nowhere, things start to shift. Your loved one with dementia becomes uneasy. They’re pacing, questioning, maybe even lashing out. You try to stay calm, offer
When someone you care about starts to struggle with dementia, the conversations you once shared can feel unfamiliar and disjointed. The smooth exchange of stories and memories may slow to a halt, leaving you wondering how to keep the relationship strong. But even when words become difficult, connection is still
For many, conversations are a natural part of life: sharing a laugh, telling a story, or expressing love through words. But for those affected by Parkinson’s disease, communication can become a challenge. A strong voice may become softer, words may slur, and frustration can replace the ease of connection, leading
Chronic illness has a way of reshaping life, for both the person experiencing it and you, the family caregiver. You can see how it shifts the rhythm of their days, forcing them to modify plans and find new ways to handle the unexpected. While the illness may create obstacles, it
When most people think about Parkinson’s disease, tremors or difficulty moving likely come to mind first. However, if you are looking after a senior loved one with Parkinson’s, you may have noticed they are dealing with much more than just movement issues. Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, like depression, sleep problems,
Watching someone you care about manage the daily challenges of COPD is not easy. You see them struggle with fatigue and breathlessness, and you want to do all you can to help. What you might not realize is that COPD often brings along other health issues, known as comorbidities, which
When you watch Mom struggling to remember your name or losing track of her day-to-day routine, an unsettling thought might sneak into your mind: “Will I get Alzheimer’s too?” It’s normal to fear facing similar problems as an older loved one with dementia. We encourage you to take a deep
Striking up a conversation with a family member with cancer can leave you feeling awkward and unsure of what to say. Should you bring up their diagnosis right away, or avoid the C word altogether? Is it ok to try to make the person laugh? What if they start crying?
