Meet the Dementias: Start Here
Many people confuse dementia with Alzheimer’s Disease. A person with Alzheimer’s has dementia. A person with dementia does not always have Alzheimer’s Disease.
The “Why” Behind the “What:” Shrinking Brain and Memory Loss
I explain how the shrinking brain causes many of the repetitive questions and behaviors that caregivers find frustrating.
The “Why” Behind the “What:” Mixed-up Memories
Avoid quizzing the person with dementia. Logic does not work. Arguing does not work.
How Caregiver “Vibes” Can Affect Persons with Dementia
Your moods can be felt by the person with dementia.
“If I Can’t Recall Your Name.”
Dear Readers: Three UAB students created a documentary about Alzheimer’s Disease as part of their media class project. The poignant film is titled, “If I Can’t Recall Your Name.” I was honored to be one of 2 clinicians interviewed by them, along with some dementia activists and a person with […]
Are Memories Gone Forever in Alzheimer’s Disease?
Memories in Alzheimer’s: Gone or Not Accessible? “Will my mother forget who I am?” I receive this question, or variations of it, daily in my work with Alzheimer’s patients. It is a hard question to answer. Some memories do become “erased” when nerve cells die. Other memories become hard to […]
When Should We Start Respite Care?
I was honored to be one of the keynote speakers for the 29th Annual Alzheimer’s Conference, sponsored by Dothan’s Alzheimer’s Resource Center and Wallace Community College. Part of my talk referenced a wonderful ministry embraced by churches and synagogues throughout Alabama: respite care. During a conversation I had with Katie […]
The Special Challenges Faced by Male Care Partners of Persons with Dementia
Men seem to have a more difficult time with the role of care partner. There are published studies that examine the differences between men and women who are care partners. Often, the gender differences are often affected by the relationship between the care partner and the care recipient. For the […]
Crash Course in Dementia-Centric Communication
Dementia-Centric Communication Dementia-centric communication is the ability to interact with people who have dementia in a respectful and meaningful way. I hear, over and over again, “I don’t know what to say to a person with dementia.” “What if I do something wrong?” Fear not, I am here to help […]
Bladder Infections Trigger Increased Irritability (and other behaviors!) in Persons with Dementia
Caregivers or care partners are often surprised when their loved one with dementia suddenly becomes irritable, nasty, even physically violent. A bladder infection, also known as a urinary tract infection, may be the culprit.