Ask NAN blog
Teachings and tips for family caregivers navigating the needs of their aging loved one.
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Staying Safe While Taking a Blood Thinner
Blood thinners can help prevent dangerous blood clots and strokes, but they also increase the risk of serious bleeding following an injury. Be vigilant for falling, and do what you can to prevent injuries. Watch for unusual bleeding, and take every head injury seriously. Here’s a guide.
Tips for Managing Daily Medications
Taking medications can become more difficult as dementia progresses. Your loved one may forget why a medicine is needed, have trouble swallowing pills, become suspicious or fearful, or refuse to take them. Here are ways to make the routine easier and less stressful.
Falls and Medications
Medications can increase fall risk and make injuries more serious. Here’s how to manage your loved one’s medication and the risk of falling, and important questions to ask your health care provider.
Enfermedad de Alzheimer y Cuido al Final de la Vida
Como cuidador de una persona con Alzheimer, le ha tocado vivir el «largo adiós»: ver cómo su ser querido se va perdiendo poco a poco a medida que su mente atraviesa un deterioro implacable. Una vez que la enfermedad avanza hacia la etapa grave o avanzada, el deterioro físico cobra protagonismo y reduce aún más las capacidades de su ser querido. En esta fase, su papel es más importante que nunca, ya que debe asegurarse de que el fallecimiento de su ser querido esté libre de dolor y de sufrimientos excesivos.
Introduction to Brain Health Supplements
Before you consider taking a vitamin supplement or a brain-boosting product, you should consider there are three important things: using evidence-based medicine, weighing the benefits vs. risks, and what experts say about the supplement. Here’s an introduction.
Brain Supplements
Many commonly used supplements claim to have benefits for the brain. Here is what is often claimed, what the science actually shows, and how to think about using these products wisely.
Popular Brain Boosters
Supplements known as “brain boosters” are often marketed as memory or brain enhancers. While the claims may sound compelling, current scientific evidence does not support their routine use for brain health or Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s an overview.
Devices for Medication Management
A variety of medication management tools and automated dispensing systems are available to help support safety, independence, and peace of mind for both individuals living with cognitive impairment and the family caregivers who assist them.
15 Things to Know About the Two New Alzheimer’s Drugs
Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s now potentially have access to two medications that may be able to modestly slow the progression of the disease — at least for some. Here’s an overview and guide.
Strategies for Good Nutrition: When Finger Foods Should be on the Menu
As a caregiver you may feel added pressure to ensure your loved one gets the nutrition they need. There are times when finger foods are just the ticket, and allow a loved one to continue eating independently. Here’s a guide.
Six Smart Meals
We are all used to eating 3 meals a day, but did you know it may be better to eat more often? Eating six small meals a day refuels the body with smaller amounts of energy throughout the day, thereby reducing the number of ups and downs in your energy level.
Seis Comidas Inteligentes: Una Variación Latinoamericana
Todos estamos acostumbrados a hacer 3 comidas al día, pero ¿sabías que puede ser mejor comer más a menudo? Comer seis comidas pequeñas al día recarga el cuerpo con cantidades más pequeñas de energía a lo largo del día, reduciendo así la cantidad de altibajos en su nivel de energía. Para esta “edición especial”, hemos elegido alimentos que podrían atraer a los fanáticos de la comida latinoamericana.
Six Smart Meals – A Latin American Variation
We are all used to eating 3 meals a day, but did you know it may be better to eat more often? Eating six small meals a day refuels the body with smaller amounts of energy throughout the day, thereby reducing the number of ups and downs in your energy level. For this “special edition,” we’ve chosen foods that might appeal to fans of Latin American food.
Strategies To Reduce The Risk Of Wandering
Caregivers or family members may be able to reduce the risk of wandering. Here are some tips in keeping your loved one with dementia safe.
Keeping Your Loved One Safe: Help for Those Who Wander
Having a loved one wander off is an experience we all try to avoid. However, it is one we must all be prepared for when caring for a loved one with dementia. These community resources can help find your loved one when they have wandered off.
Checklist: Is Your Loved One At Risk For Wandering?
Wandering can be dangerous and even life threatening, making the risk abundantly stressful for caregivers. Here's a checklist.
Delirium vs. Dementia: How to tell the difference
Delirium and dementia are different disturbances that can be confusing to caregivers, because some of their symptoms can overlap. Here’s how to tell the difference between the two.
Lista de verificación: ¿tiene su ser querido el riesgo de vagar?
Deambular puede ser peligroso e incluso poner en peligro la vida, lo que hace que el riesgo sea muy estresante para los cuidadores. Aquí hay una lista de verificación.
La Dieta MIND: Planificar las comidas para alimentar el cerebro
La dieta MIND se asocia con un ritmo más lento de deterioro cognitivo y un riesgo reducido de desarrollar la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Aquí tiene una guía.
The Mind Diet: Meal Planning to Fuel the Brain
The MIND diet is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Here's a guide.
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