Memory care

Crafting for a cause

A group of women meet weekly at a Maryland long-term care (LTC) facility to knit or crochet for the needy. Members of Hugs and Stitches made and donated 2,480 hats, scarves and afghans in 2015 to local Baltimore area nonprofits.   Read More »

Former model B. Smith publishes Alzheimer’s memoir

B. Smith and her husband tell the story of her diagnosis and decline from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease in a new book intended to raise awareness about the disease among the African-American community. Read More »

Brain Health Registry gets a boost

Thanks to a new partnership, the Brain Health Registry, a global online registry of volunteers who are taking part in data-gathering to uncover new clues about Alzheimer’s disease and how to treat it, could have thousands of new enrollees by fall. Read More »

A urine test for Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers found urinary odor signatures can change as a result of build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.   Read More »

A vaccine for Down syndrome has promise for Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers will test the safety of a vaccine to targets Alzheimer's disease-like characteristics in adults with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is caused by a mutation of the chromosome that regulates amyloid-beta plaque, the accumulation of which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.  Read More »

Tornado damage causes whirlwind for LTC residents

Nursing home and memory care residents were moved to another facility until repairs can be made. Both facilities are owned by the same company but operate under different state regulations. The facility accepting evacuees doesn’t accept Medicaid, causing a major snag in the disaster preparedness plan.  Read More »

Relias Learning adds international dementia training portal

Certified Dementia Practitioner training goes global as a U.S.-based training organization partners with an international dementia care association. Read More »

A prescription for video games

Several companies, backed by major investors and big pharma, are working to develop prescription video games. They're interested in video game therapy as an extension of treatments for a variety of mental illnesses, including Alzheimer's disease.  Read More »

More departures from national Alzheimer’s Association

The central Texas chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is separating from the national organization, citing dissatisfaction over the recent reorganization at the national level. Read More »

Antipsychotics, behavior and dementia: A psychiatrist’s view

Treating elderly residents—especially those with dementia—with antipsychotics requires a careful balance between medication and behavioral treatments. Read More »

A diet you’ll want to follow

A new diet designed to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease has far reaching benefits and has been ranked by US News & World Report as surprisingly easy to follow. Researchers reported significant benefits for those who made modest changes and, as an added bonus, the diet recommends drinking wine. Read More »

Lumosity to pay $2 million to settle disputes about brain training claims

Lumos Labs, the makers of the Lumosity brain training program, have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission on allegations the company deceived consumers with unfounded claims about cognitive and health benefits from playing its online and mobile games. Read More »

Poor sleep could be an Alzheimer’s disease risk factor

Deep sleep means a deep cleanse of brain toxins, including those that form Alzheimer's plaques. Researchers found a lack of sleep sped the accumulation of Alzheimer's disease plaques in mice, suggesting a possible link and potential new treatments that start with catching some zzz's. Read More »

A healthy attitude toward aging might keep you healthier

Researchers have found a correlation between negative views on aging and developing Alzheimer's disease. People who held negative views of aging were found to have greatest volume loss of the hippocampus, a part of the brain central to memory. They were also found to have a significantly greater number of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles than their peers with a positive outlook on aging. Read More »

Rock star goes abroad for Alzheimer’s stem cell treatment

Canadian music icon John Mann has early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and medications on the market haven't been effective. He will go to Mexico for experimental stem cell therapy. Read More »

Antidepressant restores protein levels in brain, improves memory

New research suggests accumulation of the tau protein hinders the brain's ability to clean out and replace cells. A drug already on the market was found to help flush out old cells and improve memory in mice, suggesting new therapies  for neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Read More »

Long-Term Living’s Top 10 news stories for 2015

A major change in CMS' five-star nursing home rating system, a promising new treatment for Lewy Body dementia and the biggest Medicare fraud bust to date were among this year's most popular news stories. Read More »

Circadian rhythms and aging

Everyone has “internal timing genes” that regulate sleep and wake cycles and other body processes. New research shows older people might have an internal clock that younger people don’t. Could this provide a clue on sundowning? Read More »

Unprecedented $350 million federal funding increase for Alzheimer’s research

The fiscal year 2016 federal spending bill includes $350 million more for Alzheimer's disease research funding. It's the first time in 12 years the National Institutes of Health have seen a boost in funding. Read More »

Taking college classes might help ward off dementia

Researchers found older adults who took college courses saw an increase in their capacity to process information, make decisions, plan and retain memories. Age, gender, feelings of well-being or level of social connectedness did not affect their cognitive capacity. Read More »

Common prostate treatment increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy are nearly two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research findings. Read More »

3-D video games boost memory

The complexity and immersive experience of 3-D video games improved memory in non-gaming college students, researchers found. Such video games could be used to engage, stimulate and boost hippocampus functioning in seniors. Read More »

Ark. memory care center opens art gallery dedicated to Glen Campbell

The new memory-care-only community will include a gallery commemorating the Arkansas native country singer’s long and public battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

Celebrating the season with people with dementia

The holidays are a time of togetherness and traditions. That can pose additional challenges for people with dementia. Changing how the holidays are celebrated can help everyone enjoy the season. Read More »

Low levels of BRCA1 protein in brain linked to Alzheimer’s disease

New research suggests BRCA1 proteins, which repair damaged cells, facilitate normal learning and memory in neurons. Lower levels of BRCA1 proteins in the brain are associated with neurological disorders. Read More »

Researchers trace origins of Yarumal’s curse

Much research has been conducted on the residents of Yarumal, Colombia, which has the world’s largest population of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Now researchers have traced descendants to identify the origins of the rare gene mutation for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

Amyloid protein buildup could account for memory loss

Researchers have found the accumulation of vascular amyloid plaques along blood vessels could disrupt blood flow in the brain. They could also account for some of the neural degeneration and memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

PBA and antipsychotic meds in SNFs: No laughing matter

Nursing home residents with symptoms of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) are twice as likely to receive antipsychotic medications in off-label mode, a new study shows. Read More »

Rising acuity, changing LTC needs in Canada

Caring for residents with growing complexities and chronic care requirements isn't an isolated event; Canadians are experiencing much the same trends, notes a new Ontario Long-Term Care Association report. Read More »

Leg strength associated with brain health in older women

Researchers found older women with strong legs had better cognition, suggesting leg power can be used to predict cognitive ageing in women.  Read More »