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We’ve all heard that mental exercises—like puzzles, reading, or social clubs—can keep the brain sharp. Yet one stimulating brain workout doesn’t get nearly enough credit: learning or playing a musical instrument. If your parent enjoys creative hobbies, making music might be one of the most effective ways to boost cognition.
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
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
“Laura, it’s so good to see you!” What a sweet greeting this might be…if only you were Laura. Increasingly, Mom is calling you by her sister’s name, forgetting that you’re her daughter. When dementia begins to steal memories and someone you love no longer recognizes your face, it is often
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
Receiving a new diagnosis of dementia is not easy. It kicks off a difficult rollercoaster of emotions that are heightened if the diagnosis is given starkly, without empathy or compassion. There are steps physicians can (and should) take when delivering a dementia diagnosis to ease the initial impact, empowering and
Taking care of a loved one with dementia requires continuous adaptation to the individual’s changing needs. As the disease advances, there comes a point when around-the-clock dementia care becomes not just worthwhile but essential for ensuring the safety, well-being, and quality of life for the person.
There is something so special about the kitchen. It’s the first stop kids make when they arrive home from school, in search of a snack and the opportunity to share about their day. It is the spot family members gather to prepare holiday meals together. It’s also a place to
One of the ways to build on your purpose as a caregiver is to build stronger connection with the people you serve. Here, we deliver information on how to ask questions and trigger memories—and the benefits of shared life stories.
Scientists are beginning to understand why Alzheimer’s disease affects more women than men and why the disease seems to progress more quickly in women’s brains. The explanation appears to involve social, biological and genetic differences, researchers reported at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Los Angeles. One study looked at
Researchers have designed a brain aging model to investigate the factors that contribute to cognitive decline, borrowing principles from precision medicine. Cognitive decline affects a person’s ability to focus, remember, and make decisions.
Alzheimer’s disease begins altering the brain long before it affects memory and thinking. So scientists are developing a range of tests to detect these changes in the brain, which include an increase in toxic proteins, inflammation and damage to the connections between brain cells. The tests rely on biomarkers, shorthand
University of Michigan researcher Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy, a professor of chemistry and biophysics, made a breakthrough in his research on age-related diseases, and he and his team have received a grant from National Institutes of Health to conduct further studies. The team has discovered a protein that appears to be significantly linked
Memory trouble, excessive sleeping, decreased interest in hobbies and activities, social withdrawal—all of these are symptoms often exhibited by a person who is suffering from depression. They also happen to be hallmark signs of many dementias, including the two most common forms: Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. The undeniable connection
As any veteran caregiver can attest, dementia has a nasty way of making a difficult situation even more challenging. So, when you combine dementia and depression together in a single elderly loved one, it can be especially hard for a concerned family member to know how to make things better.
Does pain cause depression, or does depression cause pain? Many research studies have been conducted trying to establish and analyze the connection between pain and depression. A review of several of these studies concluded (in part) that there was more pain found in those seeking help with depression and more
It is instinctive for humans to want a roadmap or some sort of guide to help get us through a journey or a difficult situation. Where is the next turn? What is the next step? It is a basic human thought pattern. We strive to know what lies ahead to
A new study is in the works to determine if 1 to 3 glasses of champagne a week can help prevent memory loss. According to scientists at the University of Reading, the phenolic compounds found in champagne can improve spatial memory which records information about one’s environment. The phenolic compounds
It’s that time of year again! November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and we’re hosting a free memory screening. Where: Town North YMCA. 4332 Northaven Road, Dallas, TX 75229 When: Tuesday November 13, 2012. 9:00am – 1:00pm For more information please feel free to call us at 214-295-8213 or
