ElderAuthority.com

ADVANCED ALZHEIEMER’S NURSING HOME CARE

DYING WITH ADVANCED DEMENTIA
Last week I attended a conference at UT Southwestern Medical Center on End of Life Issues for Alzheimer’s Patients“.  A presentation by Janice A. Knebl, DO, MBA, FACP, FACOI, DSWOP, that focused on artificial feeding made me aware of how important it is for medical professionals s well as civilians to understand the science as well as the moral and issues.
Those with Advanced Dementia who die in nursing facilities are not recognized… More

HOW CAN WE HELP FIGHT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?

ASK DR. BILL THIES
The Senior Medical Officer from the Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Bill Thies, was in Dallas this week from the Chicago home office. I got to spend some time with him at two different functions where he made comments and took questions. What he said about one question asked of him is something I couldn’t wait to share.
A woman thoughtfully asked the doctor, “What can we do to assist in the fight against Alzheimer’s?”
THREE THINGS WE CAN ALL DO
Dr. Thies… More

DEMENTIA PREVENTION AND RISK FACTORS

CHOOSE YOUR PARENTS WELL
The senior medical officer from the Alzheimer’s Association, Dr. Bill Thies, while visiting Dallas, TX, was asked about the primary risk factors and preventions of Alzheimer’s.  The primary risk factor, he reported, is something that none of us can control: Genetics.
As of this writing, medical science still does not allow us to pick our parents.  Our genetic predisposition is the primary risk factor for eventually contracting Alzheimer’s,… More

CARING FOR ALZHEIMER’S AT HOME

Alzheimer’s Numbers 2008 via Alzheimer’s Association
FACING THE FUTURE TOGETHER
Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Dallas board member and ElderAuthority guest author, David Downey, appeared on CBS News this week as part of an interview with Carolyn and Dean Morgan (video).  Dean was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago.
After the diagnosis, the Morgans moved to a retirement community where they continue to support each other while facing… More

LEWY BODY DEMENTIA SYMPTOMS

Lewy Body Dementia is one of the most misdiagnosed of dementias.  It can be confused with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Major Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms include the following:

Alzheimer-like dementia
Mild Parkinsonism symptoms
Hallucinations and delusions
Intolerance to old-fashioned anti-psychotic medications (neuroleptics)

Early signs:

Hand posturing
Change in mobility
Inconsistent gait

More signs:

Fine motor problems
Drowsiness… More

DEMENTIA STAGES: LAUGHING

Is it dementia, or are you just fed up about all the things you hear about old age, dementia, nursing homes, and eldercare?
One of the great things about doing your planning for getting older is that it actually frees you up.  Get out of denial and make your plans for likely scenarios of how you might age. Do your research on what you want to do for each contingency. Write a plan and give it to your nearest and dearest.  File it away, and GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE.
When you do your eldercare… More

DEMENTIA SYMPTIONS OR NORMAL SIGNS OF AGING?

As we watch ourselves or loved ones get older, a common question is “What behaviors are dementia symptoms compared to typical age related changes?”
DEMENTIA IMPACTS JUDGEMENT
When someone familiar to us begins to exhibit a pattern of poor judgment and decision-making that strikes us as different from what we have come to expect from them, that could be a symptom of dementia or the onset of Alzheimer’s.  Most of us make the occasional bad decision.  If you are… More

DEMENTIA SIGNS

Since we are all different, it is no surprise that (should we begin to experience some form of dementia) our symptoms and any changing behaviors will also vary from person to person.  Noticeable dementia signs will not be the same in all people.
MEMORY AND DEMENTIA
Usually the first dementia sign that individuals and families notice are lapses in short-term memory.  Perhaps you notice that your dad tells the same story during the same conversation, or your spouse forgets where… More

SENIORS TEXTING OR SIGNS OF DEMENTIA?

REDEFINING THE VOCABULARY OF AGING
In November 2009, I penned an article on our sister site, TheNewElder.com,  titled, “The Vocabulary of Aging”  in which I suggested that the Baby Boomers have an opportunity to redefine vocabulary related to aging, senior citizens, eldercare, and longevity.  We did it for the computer age (“bandwidth”, “email”, “googling”, “web”, “interface”, etc.).… More

DEMENTIA CAUSES: CHECK THOSE MEDICATIONS!

If you or someone you care for is exhibiting signs of dementia, don’t panic.  Before you assume the worst, check out the easy solutions.
DRUG INTERACTION CAN CAUSE DEMENTIA
In some cases, dementia can be treated and cured because the cause is treatable.  Misuse of drugs or alcohol, combinations of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, inaccurate dosages of medicines, and vitamin or hormone imbalances can all trigger symptoms of dementia.  Some common… More