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Tips for Dining Out with an Elderly Loved One with Dementia

Dining out with your loved ones with dementia can be a joyous occasion that builds precious memories. However, it is important to be sensitive to the needs of those with dementia, as unfamiliar public restaurants may be challenging for them to navigate. Environment People with dementia are more sensitive to the sights, sounds and smells of their environment.  When choosing a restaurant, you should consider one that will not be overly busy, smelly, or loud.  A restaurant that is a sensory overload may cause agitation and anxiety which can lead...

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Anosognosia and Alzheimer’s Disease: Coping Strategies

The relationship between anosognosia and Alzheimer’s disease has been well documented. It is a medical condition that inhibits their ability to develop the insight necessary to understand and acknowledge their specific condition. It is most common in people who have Alzheimer's disease however it is also common in those with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Anosognosia Diagnosis From the perspective of friends and family, it will be difficult to differentiate between denial and anosognosia. This is due to the varied experience of people with dementia or mental illnesses. Anosognosia, in particular,...

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Sundowners Syndrome: Causes and Symptoms

Sundown syndrome sounds as mysterious as it is. The medical industry does not have definitive proof as to what causes sundown syndrome, however, there is evidence of specific triggers that causes behavioral changes. This behaviour shift predominately affects elderly people with forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease during the time of sunset and can manifest in increased confusion, agitation, mood swings, and memory loss. Sundown Syndrome Sundowners or Sundown Syndrome is a term used to describe a behaviour shift in people with dementia during the transition from daylight to...

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Dementia Care: Common Behavioral Triggers

Life can be over-stimulating and stressful at times, especially for people with dementia. This can lead to difficulty navigating the world, especially during challenging times. It is valuable to understand the common triggers which lead to behavioral issues to avoid the triggers or prepare for them in advance. Note that these behavioral issues are not stemming from any type of ill will or maliciousness, they stem from their brain trying to make sense of the world around them and their self-dysregulation because of their dementia condition. Common Behaviours when Triggered...

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What to do when an Elderly Loved One with Alzheimer’s Doesn’t Recognize You

When navigating a loved one through the stages of Alzheimer's disease you may find that it is your own feelings that are the most difficult challenge. People with Alzheimer's must change and adapt to their new circumstances and often these changes are out of their control. As people who love those with Alzheimer's we change and adapt to these new circumstances as well, but we have a choice in the way that we adapt to these challenges. Often as this change comes, it builds resistance. It is natural to feel...

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Understanding Dementia: Communication

Dementia is a group of symptoms that affects cogitative function which negatively impacts thinking, socializing and communicating to the extent that it interferes with daily life. Brain function that is impacted affects memory and judgment, which compounds their issues with communication. People with dementia have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings because of the impacted brain function. Alzheimer’s disease and diseases with dementia symptoms can worsen over time and diminish a person’s ability to connect with their loved ones. Stages of Dementia Symptoms  Earliest Stage - Mild severity: when a...

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Overnight Care for Seniors

There may be a variety of reasons why your elderly loved one may need care during the nighttime. Whether they have health issues, are at risk for falls, or have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia that causes them to grow confused at night, overnight care for seniors may be necessary. Overnight care may be difficult to find, and may be necessary as an addition to their daytime care. If you believe that your elderly loved one may need overnight care, then keep reading to learn how to determine the type of...

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How to Make a Hospital Stay Easier for Loved One with Dementia

Hospital stays are never fun, but they can be especially scary for an elderly loved one who suffers from dementia. Going to the hospital could even prove to be dangerous for a person who has dementia. Evidence has shown that people who suffer from dementia are at a greater risk from having adverse issues and outcomes occur following a hospital visit than people in the general population. Even a brief stay has been shown to exacerbate a senior’s dementia and make them more prone to consequences that come with dementia...

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The Differences between Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and some studies suggest that lewy body dementia is the second most common form while others suggest that it is actually the third most common. It is important to note that Alzheimer’s disease and lewy body dementia are not the same thing and they have different symptoms even though they are both a type of dementia. In this article we would like to offer some information for family caregivers about the differences between dementia with lewy bodies and Alzheimer’s disease so...

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Tips on How to Care for an Elderly Person with Sundowner’s Syndrome

Sundowner’s syndrome is very common in seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia; unfortunately experts are not sure what are the causes and it can be very frustrating for family members and caregivers to deal with. Knowing what to expect and how to try to treat the symptoms is the best way to help care for seniors with Sundowner’s syndrome. In this article we would like to offer some tips on how to care for an elderly person with Sundowner’s syndrome. Sundowner’s syndrome gets its name from the fact that symptoms...

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