Alzheimer’s/Dementia

Assisted Living/Dementia Care: What To Do When Couples Have Different Needs

Many couples want to live as many of their "better" years together, and they want solutions within senior living that allow them to live together as long as is practical. Read More »

Top Ways to Support Staff Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

In addition to making sure that staff have the PPE and resources they need to work safely during this pandemic, facilities also need to make sure that staff’s mental health needs are met. Read More »

Patients with Dementia Pose Unique Security Challenges and Risks for LTC Facilities – But Technology Can Help

Long Term Care (LTC) facilities experience unique security challenges, including access and egress control, relating to patients with dementia-related conditions. Read More »

Battling Dehydration Among Seniors

Many seniors are chronically dehydrated — and their symptoms easily misdiagnosed. Help your residents avoid the serious health consequences of dehydration. Read More »

Sexual Expression and Intimacy: How to Develop a Strong Policy

Providers should consider developing a resident-centered policy for the management of resident sexual activity - here are the guidelines to consider. Read More »

Making the Holidays Brighter

Integrating families and the wider community can make a potentially lonely time brighter for residents. Read More »

Handling the Finances for a Senior with Dementia

For family and caregivers, handling someone else’s finances can be a difficult task, particularly when that individual is afflicted with dementia. Read More »

Protecting Your Residents From Financial Exploitation

Financial exploitation or abuse of older adults occurs when a person’s resources are used by another for personal profit or gain, or actions are taken that deprive an older person of his or her rightful benefits. No one is immune. This sort of theft can happen to anyone, regardless of social standing or education levels. Read More »

Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Music can reach people in ways other therapies cannot. Read More »

Virtual Reality and Reminiscence Therapy

New technology can make remembering a more enjoyable experience for people with dementia. Read More »

Pet Therapy and Elder Care: A Winning Combination

Frequent contact with pets has been shown to improve cognitive abilities, enhance mood, and boost feelings of interest and enthusiasm. Read More »

Involving the Wider Community

It’s not always easy, but bringing the outside world to your residents can benefit everyone involved. Read More »

Something to Sleep On— How to Improve Sleep for Residents with Dementia

When caring for residents with dementia, one quickly realizes that a common problem is sleep—too much or too little. If too little, not only is the resident not getting needed sleep, but the sleepless resident’s behaviors can disturb other residents. Read More »

New predictive tool may identify the risk of dementia within Parkinson’s

The Montreal Parkinson Risk of Dementia Scale (MoPaRDS), which comprises 8 simple clinical variables, is effective for predicting the risk for dementia in patients with Parkinson disease(PD), according to findings from a multicenter study published in JAMA Neurology. Read More »

Brown University receives $100M donation for brain disease research

One of the largest gifts in Brown University history, from Brown graduate Robert J. Carney and his wife, Nancy D. Carney, is intended to quicken the pace of neuroscience research in R.I., with the potential to develop new treatments and cures for such devastating conditions as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Read More »

Mourning before death

Families may be grieving how cognition or illness have diminished the capacity of a loved one, stirring up emotions that aren’t usually acknowledged until after death. Caregivers have an opportunity to ease the anticipatory loss or long goodbye to help families acknowledge their feelings, seek support and connect with one another before it’s too late. Read More »

The benefits of cognitive therapy

Cognitive therapy offers caregivers a tool to determine an individual’s cognitive and functional level, which can offer specific therapy recommendations that can keep the person active, social and involved. Read More »

Synching memories through sleep

New research has found making memories may be tied to the synchronization of brain waves and that age and dementia can slow those rhythms down. Read More »

The geography of dementia rates

The dementia rates in rural areas have dropped faster than rates in urban areas, but the reason might be surprising, notes a study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Read More »

Editors’ pick: Top 10 memory care stories for 2017

Memory care was top of mind for all provider sectors this year. The introduction of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ dementia-focused surveys, updates to the RAI Manual and definition changes in the state SOMs gave providers many reasons to improve their quality of care for residents with cognitive decline. Read More »

Dementia rates: rural vs urban areas

The dementia rates in rural areas have dropped faster than rates in urban areas, but the reason might be surprising, notes a study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Read More »

The sound of participation

A Boston startup is helping residents stay involved by bringing conversations up close and personal to combat hearing loss. Read More »

Huntington’s disease dementia may hold clues for Alzheimer’s

The buildup of a specific chemical in the brain is an early sign of Huntington's dementia, and it could help with early detection of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, says a new study. Read More »

Holiday traditions: One-on-one with…Denise Scruggs

Make the holidays the most wonderful time of the year by using time-honored traditions and faith-based celebrations to engage residents with dementia. Read More »

Alzheimer’s diagnosis: Would you want to know?

A British survey shows that most people feel the knowledge of the diagnosis would be valuable even if the disease has no cure. Read More »

U of MN develops retinal camera to detect Alzheimer’s earlier

The high-tech retinal imaging captures clues to early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and could speed medication development. Read More »

Remember or forget? The complex role of scent in memory

Scent-associated memories are among the strongest and most lasting, but how does the brain decide which memories to keep and which to discard over time? Read More »

Simulating the sounds of dementia

An Australian team has created a simulation to mimic how people with dementia hear, and it could affect the way memory care centers are designed. Read More »

Benzos may impact Alzheimer’s lifespan

Benzodiazepines, prescribed to lessen insomnia and anxiety, may be associated with an earlier death in those with Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

2017 OPTIMA Award: The power of No

The winner of the 2017 OPTIMA Award for Excellence in Memory Care has slashed its use of antipsychotics to just 3 percent by retraining its staff and implementing a strict “just say no” policy. Read More »