Alzheimer’s Research Milestones Reached This Past Year
Alzheimer’s research brought promising progress made in the treatment and cure of this disease in 2020.
With so much negative news in the forefront of 2020, it’s worth reflecting on some of the incredible achievements the year brought – such as the advancements in Alzheimer’s research. Katie McDonough, director of programs and services at the… Continue reading
Shadowing in Dementia Patients: How to Help Overcome the Fear of Being Alone
Better manage shadowing in dementia patients with the help of our expert care services in Anchorage.
Primary caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s disease in many cases are all too acquainted with the difficulty experienced in trying to take a quiet moment or two alone – to use the restroom, get a brief shower, and even… Continue reading
Are Senior Moments Normal? What to Do When Memory Issues Are a Concern
Some memory issues are a normal part of aging, but if there is a concern about possible dementia, bring the issue up with your primary care provider.
You altogether forgot about the physician’s appointment scheduled for last Thursday, misplaced your reading glasses for the umpteenth time, and can’t remember the name of your new neighbor… Continue reading
Simple Solutions for Managing Disinhibited Behaviors Common with Alzheimer’s
Some behaviors common among those with Alzheimer’s can be difficult to manage; but support is available for seniors and their families.
Disbelief. Shame. Awkwardness. Discomfort. Each one of these feelings can cycle through a family caregiver’s mind when a senior with dementia showcases disinhibited behaviors, such as:
Rude or tactless comments
Inappropriate sexual remarks… Continue reading
Caring for Parents with Dementia – 5 Steps to a Calmer Environment
Making home as comfortable as possible is key when caring for those with dementia.
Agitation is among the more challenging effects of Alzheimer’s disease, and may be extremely hard for family members to handle. The important thing is in taking steps to tackle agitation before it’s felt and conveyed by the older adult,… Continue reading
Dementia and Vision Problems – How Dementia Affects Eyesight
Seniors with dementia often experience various kinds of vision problems.
The complicated steps necessary to enable us to see are mind-boggling. Within the blink of an eye, our brains are able to take transmitted details of the environment all around us, translate that information based on input from other senses, memories, and thoughts, and then… Continue reading
Laughter May Truly Be the Best Medicine When Caring for Someone With Dementia
Laughter can be good medicine when caring for someone with dementia.
Caring for someone with dementia is certainly not something to laugh about. Nonetheless, research is increasingly pointing towards the benefits associated with humor, and adding it into dementia care may be just what the doctor ordered to enhance quality of life… Continue reading
Researchers Are Giving Another Look to Aducanumab Alzheimer Drug
For more details about Alzheimer’s treatment options and research, reach out to Midnight Sun Home Care.
After 16 very long years without any truly viable Alzheimer’s treatment options, there’s some optimism on the horizon, in a stunning reversal on the previously-rejected antibody therapy, aducanumab Alzheimer drug. The most recent research uncovers that… Continue reading
The Key to Unlocking Communication Difficulties in Dementia: Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is invaluable in connecting with those with dementia.
Talking with a senior trying to cope with all the struggles of Alzheimer’s, especially in the middle and later stages, could very well be discouraging – both for you and for the senior loved one. Brain changes impede the ability to listen, process, and respond… Continue reading
Alzheimer’s Symptoms: 5 Things That Make Them Worse
Alzheimer’s symptoms can be negatively impacted by certain things or activities.
While there are particular commonalities, Alzheimer’s disease affects every individual differently. Our specially trained dementia caregivers know, for example, that even though one individual may appreciate being outdoors, another person could be overwhelmed by so much sensory input and favor a tranquil indoor environment.… Continue reading
The Female Factor: Understanding the Risk Factors For Alzheimer’s
Women have long been shown to have increased risk for Alzheimer’s and researchers are beginning to understand why.
Scientists are at long last starting to get a handle on the imbalance between Alzheimer’s diagnoses in females and men. Generally, approximately 2/3 of people with Alzheimer’s in the U.S. are female, and as researchers start to… Continue reading
Research Now Links These Common Prescriptions as Risk Factors for Dementia
Do you have a loved one taking one of these common prescriptions?
They’re already understood to cause various short-term unwanted side effects, such as memory issues and confusion, but new research links some of the stronger anticholinergic drugs (such as those prescribed for Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, depression, and overactive bladder) to an increased risk factor for dementia. Continue reading
Dementia Care in Anchorage: Personal Hygiene Tips for Those with Alzheimer’s
Try these personal hygiene tips for someone with dementia.
Of all the struggles linked to providing care for a loved one with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association indicates that the most prevalent challenge is with personal hygiene, for several different reasons:
Diminished sense of vision and smell
Comfort found in familiarity (for example, wanting to wear… Continue reading
Understanding the Wandering Behavior of Alzheimer’s Patients and How to Keep Them Safe
Wandering or getting lost is often one of the most concerning symptoms for Alzheimer’s patients.
Of the numerous effects of Alzheimer’s disease, probably one of the most concerning is the person’s propensity for wandering and also the potential dangers that could develop in the event that the senior becomes disoriented or lost. Wandering may occur if the older adult is: Continue reading
Understanding and Responding to Anxiety and Paranoia in Seniors with Lewy Body Dementia
There are resources to help seniors who are experiencing a decline in thinking, reasoning, and independent function.
“I am telling you, there is a dog inside my closet! I hear it growling all night long. We’ve got to track down its owner!”
Hearing an older loved one voice concerns such as this that you are aware to be false is unsettling – yet not abnormal. Your first reaction can be to try and rationalize with the individual with a response such as, “Nonsense! There’s no way a dog might have gotten into your closet!” Yet for a variety of reasons, this is often the least successful way to handle unreasonable ideas and conduct within the elderly. Continue reading