As people age, certain health concerns become more prevalent. People start to become afflicted with heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Another concern is preventing, treating, and living with dementia. Dementia is a scary topic, and we’re sure you have questions. Here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know. Is It Possible To Prevent…
We all know that mental functions decline as we age. However, cognitive decline need not be an inevitable aspect of getting older in Ridgewood. Below, we discuss six ways to keep our aging brains active. 1. Mental Stimulation Research shows that mental activity stimulates new connections between nerve cells. It may also help generate new…
Healthy Dementia Care Strategies Dementia is a difficult condition to live with, but it also affects caregivers. Caring for patients with dementia leaves many caregivers overwhelmed and exhausted. Hard to understand and often invisible to the eye, dementia makes it hard to determine whether care is effective. But, if you practice healthy dementia care, you…
New Approach for Supporting Dementia Dealing with the dementia patient can be both heartbreaking and challenging. The February 2014 issue of JAMDA (Journal of American Medical Directors Association) highlights a very interesting approach toward supporting someone with dementia: memory based socialization. Memory Based Socialization The article entitled “Baseball Reminiscence League: A Model for Supporting Persons…
Wouldn’t you be confused if a near-stranger patted your head and called you “sweetie”, or if a nurse shouted instructions despite your excellent hearing? These behaviors are confusing and elicit irritation, but, for seniors, they are becoming more and more common. Ageism, elderspeak, and bias are an unfortunate reality for many seniors in long-term care.…
What is Dementia? Dementia is a type of cognitive decline characterized by memory loss, communication difficulties, and impaired thinking. Furthermore, dementia is a growing concern for aging populations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 47 million people have dementia worldwide. WHO also estimates 75 million people will be affected by dementia by 2030. According to…
It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease as early as possible. It affords family members plenty of time for planning, ensures that a safe living arrangement is set in place and enables the elderly to take advantage of all current and cutting edge treatments available. Unfortunately, both the…
Dementia affects millions of Americans each year, but doctors have yet to find a way to prevent the onset of this disease. However, studies have shown that the use of art and creativity often provide solace to seniors and caregivers alike. Maybe it’s time to consider art therapy. Art Therapy Art therapy benefits seniors tremendously.…
Imagine an illness that causes your loved one to lose control of their movements and balance, devastates their cognitive functions, and eventually, causes them to vividly hallucinate. Moreover, their memory becomes foggy, and everyday activities, such as eating, dressing, and even using the toilet, become an hourly challenge. Furthermore, nighttime brings no relief, as your…
High Risk of Institutionalization About 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease and 90% of those are abusive. This is important because this situation puts these patients at higher risk for institutionalization, greater functional decline, and domestic abuse. Up to this point, prescribing medication has been the preferred method for managing and controlling the Behavioral and…