Caring Senior Service National HQ Blog

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia, then you are already dealing with many unique challenges. One of those challenges is the phenomenon of "sundowning." It sounds rather scary, but it is simply a symptom of dementia that many seniors experience, especially as their condition worsens. It affects both those who are institutionalized and those being cared for at home. In this post, we will review sundowning and provide some tips to helping your loved one. 

When a loved one has dementia, they may not act like themselves. The disease may cause strange behaviors that seem out of character. Here is a common list of dementia behaviors along with some caregiver tips to handle each new behavior. 

If you're one of over 16 million people in the United States caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease or dementia, you're already familiar with the many challenges of caregiving. As the person you once knew begins to lose their memory and cognitive function, it can become difficult to retain your sense of humor and positive outlook.

Despite the challenges, both you and your loved one can benefit from the power of everyday human connection—including humor and laughter. If someone you care about is suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia, try to find the humor in your day to day life. And here's how!

As seniors age, they may require more care than ever before. Whether it is assistance with personal care or simple companionship, seniors may need extra help to stay healthy, happy, and strong. But for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, even the simplest things can become difficult or impossible. These unique conditions require unique and specialized care that allows the senior to remain safe and happy. But caring for a senior with dementia or Alzheimer's comes with its own unique challenges and requirements. 

Currently, there is no cure for serious mental illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. However, certain technological advancements have provided new promising treatments which can mitigate and perhaps even reverse some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia. These treatments include virtual reality bike rides! While bike riding may sound like an unusual therapy for mental illness, it makes more sense than you might think. Learn more about how it can help.

We've all had those days where we get lost thinking about the past. While most of us think of that as wasted time, reflecting on the past can actually do the oldest among us a lot of good—e4specially those of us who are struggling with conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia, and other conditions that can make the past feel more like a fog bank than the world of yesterday. Reminiscence therapy can help! Here's some information about this type of therapy and what it can do for your loved ones. 

Too often we treat the seniors in our life the same way we treat children. This is particularly true of those who have dementia, Alzheimer's, and other conditions that may leave them confused, or unable to care for themselves. However, when you take away someone's dignity, and you don't treat them with respect, that hastens the downhill path a senior may be on. An alternative is to use validation therapy. Let's dive into what validation therapy is and how it can help seniors.

If you or a loved one is dealing with the early stages of Alzheimer's or dementia, then you may understand the challenges of living with these conditions. How simple tasks can become confusing, and how memories can grow hazy and grainy when you aren't looking. It can be hard to find something to grab onto so you can anchor yourself, and it can be just as hard when you're trying to be your loved one's anchor. You should consider booking a dementia-friendly cruise that will help you, and your loved ones, be better prepared for the days to come.

Sleep apnea is a breathing condition where a person stops breathing multiple times during the night, resulting in poor quality sleep and fatigue during the day. Sleep apnea has been linked to a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, risk of stroke, and heart disease. Additional research suggests that those with sleep apnea are up to 5 times more likely to die of heart disease. But what about Alzheimer's?

Family, close friends, and caregivers, those who most frequently interact with your senior loved one, often are the first to notice cognitive changes. While other influences may cause these symptoms, a change in cognitive functioning could signal Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and deserves immediate attention. Let's take a look at MCI and what symptoms you should look for in your loved one.