One of the big health-related headlines this fall was the finding that almost 10% of U.S. adults age 65 and older have dementia, while another 22% have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The study included nearly 3,500 individuals nationwide. It found that rates of dementia and mild cognitive impairment rose sharply with age: 3% of people... Read More
Many people struggle with what to say and do when a family member, friend, co-worker or neighbor is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. Efforts to be supportive can be dampened by concerns of saying or doing the wrong thing. Some people may even distance themselves from someone who’s been diagnosed, further deepening the... Read More
More than 11 million people in the U.S. are currently providing unpaid care to a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, reports the Alzheimer’s Association. Nearly half of all caregivers (48%) who provide help to older adults do so for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. “Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia becomes... Read More
Anyone who’s ever listened to an older person reminisce knows the range of emotions their storytelling can evoke – joy, sadness, awe, pride, and so much else. Storytelling is a fundamental human experience across cultures. And it can be inspiring – many of us who have dedicated our careers to helping seniors trace our paths... Read More
University of Michigan researchers have discovered a paradox when it comes to the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders: people overestimate their risk, yet they do little to lower their risk! The experts polled a group of people, each in their 50s and early 60s, asking their thoughts about dementia. The poll revealed that... Read More
September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day. Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. One in three senior die with the disease of another form of dementia. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the country and with an aging population, its impact on society will continue to grow.... Read More
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day. It is meant to draw attention to the importance of planning ahead for your end-of-life care. This is particularly important if you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s of other form of dementia. As there is no cure for Alzheimer’s or most other... Read More
The Alzheimer’s Association’s 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report reveals that more than 16 million Americans are providing unpaid care for people living with dementia. Last year, these caregivers provided more than 18 billion hours of unpaid care for their loved ones, valued at more than $232 billion. To put that number in perspective,... Read More
Holidays typically mean getting together with family and friends and spending time with those we love. If you’re caring for someone living with dementia this holiday season, you may be thinking about reducing your participation in social activities, either because you feel overwhelmed or you aren’t sure how your loved one would deal with... Read More
Anyone who knows or cares for someone living with dementia understands that conversations can be challenging. Meaningful communication is often the first casualty of dementia. People living with Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia may be living in a completely different time or place than those around them. Or they may forget what they’ve... Read More