Caregiver Topics
How to Care for Veterans Living with Dementia
Each November, we observe Veterans Day to honor all U.S. military veterans. As we pay tribute to these worthy men and women, it’s important to remember that their time of service may have left its mark on them physically, emotionally, psychologically, and socially. These “scars” may become even more apparent as the individual age, mainly…
Read MoreHow to Handle Dementia Accusations
The brain of a person struggling with dementia can begin to link facts and details in unusual ways. As the brain starts to change, a false-memory phenomenon can occur. This causes the individual to perceive reality differently than those around him or her and can lead to hurtful behavior toward caregivers. One common scenario experienced…
Read MoreHurtful Words and How Caregivers Can Cope
It’s no easy task to care for an individual suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Still, difficulty can quickly escalate when that person starts using hurtful words to interact with you. It’s human nature to take rude or mean words personally and feel that the individual is consciously attacking you verbally; however, in the case of…
Read More6 Ways to Prevent Heat Stroke in Seniors
Summertime can be a fun and wonderful season to enjoy the outdoors – but it can also present dangers in the form of heat injuries such as heat stroke. Heat stroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually due to prolonged exposure to the sun or physical exertion in high temperatures. Because untreated…
Read MoreTherapeutic Fibbing
The brain damage experienced by dementia and Alzheimer’s patients causes a progressive decline in their ability to understand and process information – creating in essence a different version of reality in which they live. Forcing them to abandon their version of reality to join the “real world” can cause them tremendous pain, confusion, fear, anxiety,…
Read MoreHow to Talk to Your Parents about Getting In-Home Care
If you visit your aging parents over the holidays, you may notice a considerable decline in their capabilities and realize it might be time to bring in some at-home care. However, this could be a susceptible topic for them, so it is important to approach the conversation correctly and at the right time. Here are…
Read MoreWhy is There a Caregiver Shortage?
While it has become noticeably more difficult to find qualified caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, this current shortage pales in comparison to the looming caregiver crisis facing America over the next decade. Any crisis usually has multiple and complex causes and explanations, but in this case, the number one reason behind the increasing lack of…
Read MoreThe Latest News on COVID-19 Vaccines, Including Boosters and the Delta Variant
As the contagious and rapidly-spreading delta variant of COVID-19 continues to increase case numbers in the United States and across the world, the FDA is urging Americans to get vaccinated if they haven’t already. Currently, three vaccines are authorized and recommended in the United States to prevent COVID-19. While the CDC does not recommend one…
Read MoreLearn Pragmatic Strategies for Managing the Care of Adults with Dementia
The Cape Cod Alzheimer’s Family Support Center (AFSC) is offering their annual free conference for Alzheimer’s/dementia professionals and caregivers this Friday, August 20, 2021 from 8:30am to 4:30pm via live videoconference. This year’s John Levin Memorial Conference is titled, “Getting to Yes: A Pragmatic Approach to Dementia Care with Teepa Snow.” Nationally-known dementia care specialist…
Read MoreBody Heat Regulation in the Elderly
July and August bring on what is known as the “dog days of summer” – body heat, hot, muggy, sunny days that can cause lethargy and exhaustion. However, extreme temperatures that make the rest of us seek out the nearest beach or pool can have much more dire consequences for older people due to their…
Read More