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As someone who cares for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, you know firsthand that this level of caregiving requires a considerable store of patience, empathy, and creativity.  We know that meaningful activities and conversations can improve quality of life, by offering comfort and connection. The challenge comes from knowing which activities to try.

While caregiving can be profoundly rewarding, it is, first and foremost, a responsibility — one that often exacts a significant emotional and physical toll. If you’ve been caregiving for any length of time, you likely have already experienced stress, fatigue, and possibly even burnout.

As a caregiver you know firsthand that caregiving can be both rewarding and challenging, not to mention utterly exhausting and stressful. After all, not everyone actually chooses to be a caregiver; as the saying goes, life is full of surprises.

Acclaimed producer and director Scott Kirschenbaum understands memory loss: “Though those with Alzheimer’s might forget us, we as a society must remember them.”  One of the ways we can do that is by making this merciless thief somewhat familiar to ourselves and each other.  In other words, we must cast this villain into the spotlight so that we all might recognize it, as much as we struggle to understand or accept it. Our team is committed to supporting your loved one and also your family as you move forward into this strange land where unpredictability is the norm. This blog post will hopefully provide an opportunity to host an at-home movie night or a solo screening, whichever is called for, in the hopes that you will recognize that your loved one is in good company when it comes to an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis.  1. Still Alice  Directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, this film follows Dr. Alice Howland, a renowned linguistics professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The story captures her struggle with the diagnosis and its impact on her professional and personal life, including her relationship with her family. Julianne Moore’s performance as Alice garnered critical acclaim and earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. 2. The Father (2020) Florian Zeller’s powerful drama stars Anthony Hopkins as Anthony (yes, really), an aging man dealing with dementia. The film is notable for its unique narrative structure, which reflects the disorienting experience of dementia. Olivia Colman…

Despite the fact that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are so common, there is still some education needed to understand the cause and challenges of the two. Often used interchangeably, these terms can lead to confusion about each diagnosis’ differences and implications for elder care.  While we know that both conditions affect cognitive function, understanding their distinctions is crucial for providing appropriate care and support for impacted individuals and their families.  That’s why we’re dedicating this blog post to understanding the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s in consideration of the types of elder care ideal for each. Dementia vs Alzheimer’s: is there a difference? Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. Alzheimer’s disease, on the other hand, is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases. It is a progressive brain disorder characterized by abnormal protein deposits in the brain that disrupt communication between brain cells. And it is very common. In fact, more than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, with an estimated 6.7 million aged 65 or older, while 73% are 75 and older.  Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s: Implications for Elder Care In light of the similarities between dementia and Alzheimer’s, it’s reasonable to expect that elder care looks the same for either diagnosis. And for the most part, it does. At the end of the day, exceptional elder care for anyone, regardless of diagnosis, depends on a personalized and…

Dementia is a difficult disease to navigate because it is fraught with so much uncertainty, both for the patient and their caregivers. The novelist Laurie Graham, who lost her husband to dementia, has said, “None of us wants to be reminded that dementia is random, relentless, and frighteningly common.”  She’s right. It is very common — more than 55 million people have dementia worldwide; however, that doesn’t mean the answers about how to approach dementia care are clear or in any way obvious.  That’s why we’re offering our guide, based on our experience and expertise, to help you evaluate when 24-hour dementia care might be needed for your loved one.  When dementia requires round-the-clock care Even when it’s evident that round-the-clock care is required for a person diagnosed with dementia, the fact is the decision to secure that care is emotional and can be complicated by financial concerns or restraints.  Setting those aside for the moment, here are the tangible boxes that, if checked, would evidence that 24-hour care is not only appropriate, but ideal.  Safety concerns  As dementia progresses, individuals may face challenges in maintaining their safety. Frequent falls, wandering, and confusion about their surroundings can put them at risk. If safety becomes a consistent concern, it may be an indicator that 24-hour care is needed. Inability to perform daily activities Dementia can impact an individual’s ability to carry out daily activities independently. If tasks like dressing, bathing, and preparing meals become increasingly challenging or impossible, it may be…

After a wonderful series of holiday celebrations last month, our team wishes to share the importance of festive celebrations to the senior citizens in your life. As experts in elder care, we recognize and have long witnessed the positive ramifications of socialization to our elderly residents. That’s why we prioritize opportunities to socialize, year-round, and especially during the emotional highs and lows of the yuletide season. In addition, celebrating holidays and important family events year-round can help aging loved ones know that they are still an important part of their families. Why do we place such a premium on socialization?  Let us offer you some specific benefits about elders keeping an active social calendar and share some photos of the recent holiday celebrations we have been honored to host at all of our As Life Goes On locations.  5 reasons why socialization is so important to elder populations Aging is a complex process and the experience is unique to everyone; however, what we know is that socialization offers myriad benefits and can offset some of the challenges commonly associated with aging.  Consider the following benefits of socialization to elderly populations:  #1 Safeguards against social isolation For many seniors, social isolation is a significant concern, especially during the holiday season. Family gatherings, community events, and parties provide invaluable opportunities for seniors to connect with others, breaking the monotony of solitude that may be more prevalent during other times of the year. Socializing during the holidays helps combat feelings of loneliness, and a…

If there is one thing that our years of experience and expertise has taught us it’s that there are many myths circulating about assisted living and what it means to enter an assisted living facility. Unfortunately, unlike beloved stories, these myths are damaging and deny the truth about assisted living. 

It can be difficult to know if it’s time for assisted living — and far too often, you don’t realize it’s needed until it’s an overdue change. Many of the changes that make assisted living a good choice happen slowly over a long period of time, so you may not realize how much quality of life has been impacted until your aging loved one is really struggling. By keeping an eye out for changes in certain areas, you can start thinking early about how someone is adjusting to aging. Here are five signs that it might be time to move to assisted living.

If you or a loved one need more care, you may be considering Assisted Living or In-Home Care. But how do you decide? While for some the choice (for either one) is easy, for many it can be difficult to determine what the best option is. Here are some ideas to help you determine the best choice for your family.