Light Exposure in Nursing Homes Decreases Sleep Disturbances, Depression and Agitation in Alzheimer's Patients
This study tested whether atailored daytime lighting intervention could improve sleep and behavior in Alzheimer's patients living in long-term care facilities.Compared to baseline and to the inactive lighting condition,the lighting intervention significantly decreased sleep disturbances, depression and agitation.Learn More -What to do when dementia patient gets agitatedWhile all measures improved,the most significant improvement was seen in sleep quality."Here we show that if the stimulus (light dose) is carefully delivered and measured, it can have a strong impact on sleep, depression and agitation. Depress...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 19, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer alzheimer wandering bright light care of dementia patients daytime light mood nursing home sleep Source Type: blogs
How Often Should You Visit a Memory Care Patient
Dr. Rita A. Jablonski is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced persons I know when it comes to memory care, dementia and caregivers.I forwarded Rita a question from one of our readers."How Often Should You Visit a Memory Care Patient When They First Go In"?This is an important question, and is often a great source of anxiety for Alzheimer's caregivers.The answer often depends on the actual circumstances at the time.Topic -Memory CareBy Rita A. JablonskiAlzheimer's Reading RoomSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:Hi, Bob.The answer depends on the physical and mental condition of both parties. Some caregive...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 18, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer care Alzheimers Dementia care of dementia patients dementia care help alzheimers help dementia memory care nursing home senior care Source Type: blogs
The Importance of Touch and Kindness in Dementia Care
One of the biggest challenges Alzheimer's Caregivers face is how to communicate effectively with someone living with Alzheimer's disease. This challenge is particularly difficult when a person living with dementia becomes nasty and mean.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomAt the beginning, my mother turned meaner than a junkyard dog.She said mean and nasty things to me every day.This was new. My mother had never engaged in these behaviors with me before.What is the Difference Between Alzheimer ’s and DementiaI had a leg up on this one because I studied communication in college and graduate school.Subscribe to the Alzhe...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 17, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer communication alzheimers care alzheimers caregiving dementia help for caregivers help alzheimer's help with dementia touch touch in dementia care Source Type: blogs
Dementia Care Here is the Silver Lining in Losing Your Temper
It takes the patience of a saint to deal with many of the odd, frustrating, STRESSFUL behaviors of dementia.by Paula Spencer ScottAlzheimer's Reading RoomUm, I'm no saint.I admit it: I've groused, "Dad! I just told you!" after he asked the score for the tenth time in five minutes.I've argued with my father-in-law that no, his"new bride" (imaginary) was not "coming any minute in the Buick,"even though I knew his frontotemporal dementia was behind his frequent delusions and hallucinations. I've walked out of a room when I couldn't stand any more crazy behaviors.Even as I knew better.Topic -Alzheimer's Care, Don't ArgueSubscr...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 14, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: Alzheimer's family alzheimers care anger care of dementia patients dementia care help alzheimer's help with dementia care stress temper Source Type: blogs
Alzheimer's Patients Can't Make Decisions, So You Must Become Their Guide
It is very common for Alzheimer's (and dementia) patients to say No. There is a simple solution to this problem - become a guide, and if necessary, lend them your brain.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomOne thing that really frustrates Alzheimer's caregivers is the tendency for most persons living with dementia to say -No.Learn More -Alzheimer's Patients Can't Make DecisionsSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:No, I don't want to take a shower (bath). No, I don't need to go to the bathroom. No, I don't want to take my medication.No.What is the Difference Between Alzheimer ’s and DementiaI conducted two sepa...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 14, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's care alzheimer's caregiving Alzheimer's Dementia brain care of dementia patients dementia care health help with dementia care lifestyle memory care facility nursing home Source Type: blogs
How Do You Convince an Alzheimer's Patient They Need Help?
Dotty never knew she had Alzheimer's. In the beginning when I was trying to explain this to her one of three things happened -- she became angry and said mean things to me, she started crying, or she went into the bedroom and wouldn't come out.How to Convince an Alzheimer's Patient They Need Help?A reader came to the Alzheimer's Reading Room from Google after entering the search term above.The person searching for an answer to their question was clearly determined and sophisticated because h/she searched across several pages on the Alzheimer's Reading Room until they landed onArticle -Ten Tips for Communicating with an Alz...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 14, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer communication alzheimers care care of dementia patients dementia care dotty elderly dementia care help with dementia how to alzheimer how to convince Source Type: blogs
16 Things I Would Want, If I Get Dementia
Just in case I do get dementia, I've written a list of rules I ’d like to live by.When you work in dementia care, people tend to ask you a lot of questions. Probably one of the most common questions that I hear is,“Are you afraid to get dementia when you’re older?”What is the Difference Between Alzheimer's and DementiaBy Rachael WonderlinAlzheimer's Reading RoomHonestly, there are many things that scare me much more than dementia does. Don ’t get me wrong: dementia is a terrible group of diseases. I've been fortunate, however, to see many of the beautiful moments that people with dementia can experience.Just in c...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 14, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: 16 alzheimers care care of dementia patients dementia care dementia communication tips elderly dementia care help with dementia help with dementia care memory care what if i get dementia Source Type: blogs
Dementia Care Coaching: An Option for Caregivers
The best dementia caregiver coach of them all - Dr. Rita Jablonski ~ Bob DeMarco, Alzheimer's Reading RoomYou have read the articles and the blogs. You ’ve scoured the internet and watchedYouTube videos.You ’ve checked out Facebook and Pinterest. You’ve readThe 36-Hour Day and other books.You have talked with countless medical professionals, perhaps even some “experts.” Maybe you even took a Dementia Certification class.Yet, you are having some real problems as a caregiver. Nothing seems to be working. The frustration and anger just keep building. You have no idea how long you can keep this up.Subscribe to the Al...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 12, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's care coaching alzheimer's caregiving care of dementia patients coaching caregivers dementia care coaching dementia coaching health help alzheimers help for caregivers Source Type: blogs
How Alzheimer's Changes the Brain - Video
In healthy people, all sensations, movements, thoughts, memories, and feelings are the result of signals that pass through billions of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain.In a person living with Alzheimer ’s toxic changes in the brain destroy the nerve cell (or neurons). These changes may occur years, even decades, before the first signs of dementia.Researchers believe that this process involves two proteins called beta-amyloid and tau.What is the Difference Between Alzheimer ’s and DementiaSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:How to Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's and Dementia (5 Best Tests)4 Memory Syste...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 12, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's progression alzheimer's risk brain Brain disease memory memory problems memory systems what parts of the brain are affected by alzheimer's Source Type: blogs
Stress Intensifies Alzheimer's Disease and Challenging Behavior in Dementia Patients
It is my belief that reduction of stress can reduce the progression of memory loss in Alzheimer's patients; and, could lead to a happier, more easy to deal with, person living with dementia.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomStress has a negative impact on our health and can make us sick.12 Ways to Control CareGiver Stress and SadnessI wonder how many Alzheimer's caregivers knowthat scientific research indicates that stress can lead to an increased build up of nuerotoxic beta amyloid in Alzheimer's patients?This research and this new understanding of Alzheimer's had a major impact on the way(s)I decided to deal wit...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 8, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's Alzheimer's family alzheimer's story alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia alzheimers stress care of dementia patients help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs
Stress Intensifies Both Alzheimer's and Challenging Behavior in Dementia Patients
It is my belief that the reduction of stress could reduce the progress of memory loss in Alzheimer's patients; and, could lead to a happier, more easy to deal with, person living with dementia.By Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomStress has a negative impact on our health and can make us sick.12 Ways to Control CareGiver Stress and SadnessI wonder how many Alzheimer's caregivers knowthat scientific research indicates that stress can lead to an increased build up of nuerotoxic beta amyloid in Alzheimer's patients?This research and this new understanding of Alzheimer's had a major impact on the way(s)I decided to deal ...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 8, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's Alzheimer's family alzheimer's story alzheimers care Alzheimers Dementia alzheimers stress care of dementia patients help alzheimer's help with dementia care Source Type: blogs
Grief and the Emotional Evolution of the Alzheimer ’s Caregiver
As I reviewed descriptions of the stages of grief, I realized that Alzheimer ’s and dementia caregivers may go through them as well.Elisabeth K übler-Ross was the author of the groundbreaking bookOn Death and Dying, in which she laid out her theory of the five stages of grief.They are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:By Marie MarleyAlzheimer's Reading RoomAs I reviewed descriptions of the stages, I realized that Alzheimer ’s caregivers may go through them as well. I realized that having a loved one living with Alzheimer’s is a kind of death in and of...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 8, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: acceptance alzheimer's care anger bargaining caregiving dementia care denial DEPRESSION how to grieve stages of grief alzheimer's dementia Source Type: blogs
Reassurance in Alzheimer's Care (Podcast)
How much time have you spent thinking about the role of reassurance in Alzheimer's care?by Bob DeMarcoAlzheimer's Reading RoomReassurance - the action of removing someone's doubts or fears. A statement or comment that removes someone's doubts or fears.Is you loved one living with Alzheimer's mean to you? Did you ever considerreassuring them during the dayto help them feel safe and secure? If you try this you might find that your loved isless mean, and, easier to deal with.Here is a simple example.Have you ever put your arm around them, put you head against their head (attached yourself to them), and said, "don't worry I'm ...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 6, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's care alzheimer's caregiving alzheimers podcast care of dementia patients dementia care health help alzheimer's help with dementia care lifestyle reassurance Source Type: blogs
Dying from Dementia, Suffering Often Unnecessary
This discussion and research on Dying with Dementia and the unnecessary care that often accompanies the late stages of dementia is worth discussing and considering.ByAlzheimer's Reading RoomThis topic is often overlooked and avoided until it is too late.I believe these issues should be considered, and when possible,discussed in support groups. This information is worth sharing and discussing with family members.Learn More -Coping with Alzheimer'sSince individuals with advanceddementia cannot report their symptoms, these symptoms often are untreated, leaving them vulnerable to pain, difficulty breathing and various other co...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 6, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: Alzheimer's Dementia assisted living and memory care facility care homes for elderly with dementia care of dementia patients care of dementia patients at home dementia care elderly dementia care Source Type: blogs
Research Links Tau Protein to Cell Death in Alzheimer ’s disease
In this study we provide novel insights into how accumulation of Tau protein may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.”Although scientists have studied for years what happens when Tau forms aggregates inside neurons, it still is not clear why brain cells ultimately die. One thing that scientists have noticed is that neurons affected by Tau accumulation also appear to have genomic instability.“Genomic instability refers to an increased tendency to have alterations in the genetic material, DNA, such as mutations or other impairments.This means that the genome is not functioning correctly. Genomic i...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - June 6, 2018 Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's science Alzheimers Prevention alzheimers research brain dna genome health memory memory experiments tau Tau Protein Source Type: blogs
