Caring for someone with brain disease like Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia can provide special challenges. One of the most difficult can be handling your loved one’s anger, confusion, and agitation. These are emotions we all have, but those with brain disease may lack vital centers that help regulate them. Remember too that these emotions are driven largely by…
During the holidays, family members gather from near and far to celebrate the season. For many families, this may be the only time everyone gets together during the year. It may also be the time when they begin noticing subtle changes in older loved ones that might not have been apparent the year before. What to Look For: 10 Warning…
Delirium, depression, and dementia are conditions faced by many older adults. None are a part of normal aging, and all are different. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between them, as the symptoms are similar. And, a person may have more than one of these conditions at the same time. Alert your doctor if you or someone you know…
In the video above, dementia educator Teepa Snow demonstrates how to use music to engage people with brain disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, music is a powerful tool to use with those with Alzheimer’s and dementia because the brain areas responsible for musical memory are largely untouched by these brain diseases. Here are some tips for using music with…
Allow Yourself a Vacation with Respite Care Services Does this sound familiar? Your coworker comes back after two weeks in a tropical paradise. She’s tan, relaxed and passing around photos of herself in her swimsuit on a catamaran, enjoying an umbrella drink at a luau and swimming with sea turtles. You think to yourself that the way you spent your…
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. As we grow older, we may notice ourselves getting more forgetful. We forget where we put the car keys, can’t quite find the words we want to say, or can’t recall someone’s name. These episodes can be scary – “Am I developing Alzheimer’s or some sort of dementia?” The good news is that…
Caring for family members with dementia can be challenging, but there are many ways you can reach out for practical help and emotional support. Cincinnati has many resources available for seniors with dementia, here are a few our local families may find helpful: The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Cincinnati offers a number of support groups and educational programs in and…
At Assisting Hands of Cincinnati, we’re excited about everything we are learning about the different stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Two of our home care professionals are certified trainers in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach® to Care, and they are in the process of training all our caregivers. By sharing what we are learning with our families, we hope to give…
A dementia diagnosis can be devastating news for the person living with the disease and their spouse and loved ones. All too quickly, the person everyone knew and loved seems to fade into the background. Personality changes are not uncommon, as the person living with dementia, especially in the early stages, has moments or even days of keen awareness of…
