Lessons From Late Stage Dementia: What the Return of Lucidity Is Teaching Us
Even as memory loss and confusion increase during late stage dementia, there’s a fascinating and pleasant reprieve that frequently occurs. Previously termed “terminal lucidity,” it is more frequently referred to now as “paradoxical lucidity.” It signifies an unexpected, short-term regaining of clarity to a nearly pre-dementia state of mind. During this time, the effects can […]
Helping to Alleviate Holiday Senior Depression
Although this season is typically viewed as the season of joy, for many, holiday senior depression is real and brings with it a period of deep despair. Yearning for holidays past, sadness over the loss of close friends and family, and difficult changes to health can magnify throughout the holiday season, and it’s essential to […]
Elderly Care Tips: How Humidifiers Can Improve Quality of Life
For seniors and those with lung conditions such as COPD, maintaining the best possible air quality in the house is a must. Air that is too dry, for instance, might cause or exacerbate health problems such as: Itchy, dry, or chapped skin Nose bleeds Sore throat Dry eyes Aggravated allergy, asthma, and flu/cold symptoms such […]
How to Safely Enjoy Celebrating the Holidays with Seniors During COVID-19
Think about the most ideal holiday season you are able to imagine. While that image will vary slightly for every one of us, it could include gifts, good food, lights, and traditions passed down through the generations. Yet what most certainly rings true for everyone is the happiness in spending time with the people […]
How to Handle Aging Parents Who Expect Too Much
In an ideal world, we could perfectly compartmentalize our caregiving duties, sticking to a routine that met the needs of a loved one, while enabling enough time necessary to handle our myriad of other responsibilities. But of course, life does not adhere to our desired script, and conflicting needs are common when caring for an […]
An Accidental Discovery Turned Into a Potential Parkinson’s Treatment
Researchers at the UC San Diego School of Medicine who believed they were analyzing connective tissue cell protein received quite a shock when they alternatively stumbled upon a therapy to eradicate the observable symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in mice. Not just that, but the treatment might be useful in various conditions that call for the […]
Top Tips for Managing Stress for Caregivers
Stress is inevitable, and actually, not necessarily always a bad thing. After all, as the saying goes, “A diamond is just a piece of charcoal that handled stress exceptionally well.” Yet especially when managing stress for family caregivers, it can quickly escalate and become overwhelming, and if not managed effectively, lead to serious health concerns. […]
How to Manage Rummaging Behaviors for Seniors with Dementia
Digging through boxes, cabinets, and closets, pulling out odds and ends from drawers, and sorting repetitively through a variety of items can be frustrating for those providing care for a loved one with dementia, but actually these behaviors are fulfilling a purpose. Rummaging can provide a measure of comfort for those with dementia, with the […]
Promising Alzheimer’s Vaccine on the Rise
If 2021 will be recalled as the year for COVID-19 vaccines, perhaps 2022 will be marked with a different type of life-changing vaccine: one which may actually slow or prevent the further advancement of Alzheimer’s disease. The first human trial of Protollin, delivered by way of nasal spray, is underway in 16 seniors with-early stage […]
How to Weather the Storm as a Family Caregiver in a Time of Crisis
Times of crises can bring out both the best and the worst in us. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve heard stories of people hoarding products and selling them to make an outrageous profit, along with stories of heroes who selflessly met the needs of others in spite of their own fears. The key to weathering […]