Following a program of taking medicines is critical to managing your loved one’s care. Here are some rules of the road for getting the most out of medications and staying safe.

With Alzheimer’s, your Loved One may behave inappropriately in public, such as making up stories, saying unusual things, being “too friendly” with strangers, or displaying embarrassing behaviors. That’s where “Please be patient!” cards can come in handy.

No matter what illness you and your loved one are facing, planning ahead can increase your knowledge and understanding, and will often allow for a wider range of care options and provide an overall peace of mind for everyone.

Music is one of the most ancient forms of human communication and entertainment, and also has clinical benefits. Here’s how to do music therapy with your loved one at home.

There is a lot we can all learn from each other as we endure our individual journeys as caregivers. There are some needs and feelings that are universal and learning how others manage and navigate can often be hugely comforting.

To fully understand how Alzheimer's disease impacts an individual's emotions, we need to understand what parts of the brain Alzheimer's affects and what parts it does not. That imbalance leads to common emotional symptoms, including depression and apathy, anxiety, fear, and agitation. The ability to feel fear and anxiety, along with an inability to control the emotional response, creates a potential for exaggerated emotional responses or unexpected upset.

The challenge that family caregivers face is to learn acceptance, to live in the present moment, and to let go of things you cannot control. This is a challenge to be sure, but if there can be any joy in caregiving, this is where it is.

Depending on your loved one’s illness and the financial and family resources they have, caregiving can have a significant impact on the financial stability of both the patient and the family members. Here’s how to prepare and plan.

Knowing the stages of Alzheimer’s helps Caregivers predict what kinds of behaviors to expect in their loved one, as well as prepare for changes yet to come.

The unfortunate end-result of the decline from Alzheimer’s comes when your loved one is no longer capable of independently making decisions about their care or personal possessions. This incompetence requires someone else to be assigned to advocate, speak, and make decisions on their behalf. Here’s how to set that up.

Even in the most loving families, money is often a taboo subject of conversation, especially between parents and their adult children. Unfortunately, when Alzheimer’s disease is progressing there are many ways financial affairs can become problematic. Here are some strategies for beginning that important but often difficult conversation.

In situations where your loved one cannot speak for themselves, medical personnel will turn to the next of kin to get help in making important health decisions. It is important to have your loved one’s wishes of how to respond in a serious medical situation be known in advance, through several documents such as an Advanced Directive and Living Will.

Sometimes having legal or financial expertise can be helpful in making important decisions. Here’s how to find and choose an Elder Law or Financial Expert.

Improve your flexibility, strength and cardiovascular health, all while seated!

It would seem to be a given that many caregivers would be "depressed,” given all the challenges they are facing. But it is critical to separate the expected sadness from the effects of Alzheimer's disease and the emotionally and physically debilitating illness that "Major Depression" is in its worst form.

It’s important to understand that anxiety is triggered by physical reactions to stress signals the body receives. Here’s how to reduce these effects.

Here’s an overview of the basic categories of care most often needed by elders and payment options available, including what Social Security and Medicare covers for elderly care — and what it doesn’t cover.

As a new caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, there are undoubtedly concerns about what this diagnosis means for your loved one. But most likely you also have questions about what this diagnosis means for you and your family. Here is how to begin.

With Alzheimer’s disease, your loved one’s ability to understand, process, and communicate information will change. Here are some strategies and skills you can use to reduce communication challenges that could frustrate both of you.