By Gary Joseph LeBlanc If life has taken you in the direction of becoming a full-time caregiver for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or another dementiarelated disease, be prepared to face many hardships, unlike anything you have encountered before. Sadly, not everyone who attempts to be a caregiver will be successful. On the upside, however, you

By Jennifer Sellers Long daylight hours and a relaxed dress code make summer the perfect time of year to get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors. And while there are many activities for the young, there are also plenty for the young at heart. Here’s a list of outdoor activities that are

By Tamekia Reece Edited by Bernard A. Krooks, JD, CPA, LL.M, CELA There seems to be a discrepancy among the population: whether they would prefer to know in advance if they have Alzheimer’s, or if they would rather put off getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) until the later stages of the disease. They

By Margie Monin Dombrowski Wandering is a common problem for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and it can make for a scary situation when families and caregivers aren’t prepared. Roughly 60 percent of elders with Alzheimer’s occasionally wander away from their home or caregivers. Even if your loved one hasn’t

Friendships can and should be preserved and encouraged for people with Alzheimer’s. By Winnie Yu When Carol Bradley Bursack’s father developed dementia, friends and former colleagues slowly stopped visiting. The loss of the friendships saddened her father, a former supervisor in the local sanitation department, who had been popular and well liked by his staff.

By Terri Poindexter Smith Running (or Walking), Swimming and Cycling Aerobic exercises like running, jogging, brisk walking, swimming or cycling—all great for the body and the heart—are also great for the brain. And, there’s no better time than the present to get outside and give your brain a boost with these types of exercises. While

Balance exercises can help those with dementia reduce their likelihood of falls, maintain their independence longer and improve their quality of life. By Jennifer Sellers Whether the person you’re caring for is someone who can still engage in many of the activities of daily living or someone who needs regular assistance, improved balance has multiple

By Jennifer Sellers Artistic expression can lead to enriching experiences for people with dementia. Imagine a woman with reduced language skills being able to read poems before a group of her peers, or a former artist using a paintbrush again after years of refusing to pick it up. These are examples of the types of engagement

By Jennifer Sellers Caregiving for a loved one with dementia is challenging. Identifying and dealing with common frustrations can help make it easier. There’s no shortage of content online and on TV about tough jobs and how they rank. With a few clicks of the mouse or remote, you can learn all about the varied