MEDICAL HEALTH
Supporting your loved one’s health and medical issues is one of the most daunting tasks for a caregiver. Here are some resources to help with this critical challenge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wandering can be dangerous and even life threatening, making the risk abundantly stressful for caregivers. Here's a checklist.
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.
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 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 is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Here's a guide.
Even if you have diabetes, there are ways to work the MIND diet, which is has been shown to lower the risk of mental decline, into your meal plan. Here’s how.
Most of the time, “senior moments” are just that, moments that will pass and not amount to anything more serious. Here a guide to when you should be more concerned.
We all know that going to the dentist is good for us, and in the end, we are glad we have gone. But it can be an unpleasant, even scary experience for some people. So, imagine how maintaining good dental health, including dental visits, can be a challenge for your loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s. Here are some tips.
A so-called “family history” is not always associated with developing the disease — it is likely a combination of genetic, other medical, and lifestyle risk factors.
Los llamados "antecedentes familiares" no siempre están asociados con el desarrollo de la enfermedad; es probable que sea una combinación de factores de riesgo genéticos, otros médicos y de estilo de vida.
Aquí presentamos los consejos favoritos de un nutricionista que los cuidadores pueden usar para manejar los desafíos comunes en el apetito y los hábitos alimentarios de sus seres queridos.
La enfermedad de Alzheimer puede afectar diversos aspectos de la salud, como cambios en el apetito y el gusto. A continuación, se presenta un resumen de lo que puede esperar.
Here are a nutritionist’s favorite tips that caregivers can use to manage the common challenges in their loved one’s appetite and eating habits.
Alzheimer's disease can impact various aspects of a person's health, including changes in appetite and taste. Here’s an overview of what to expect.
Lack of water, called dehydration, can be quite dangerous and can lead to decrease blood volume, which lowers the amount of blood sent to the major organs of the body, especially the kidneys. Therefor it is especially important for an older adult to keep up his or her fluid intake. Here’s how to do it.
La falta de agua, llamada deshidratación, puede ser bastante peligrosa y provocar una disminución del volumen sanguíneo, lo que disminuye el flujo sanguíneo a los principales órganos del cuerpo, especialmente a los riñones. Por lo tanto, es especialmente importante que una persona mayor mantenga una ingesta adecuada de líquidos. Aquí te explicamos cómo hacerlo.
Identifying and engaging with a medical team that you can count on can make a big difference for you and your loved one. Here is an overview of the types of healthcare professionals you may want to seek out as part of your “caregiving village”.
There is scientific evidence that in some cases, genes can play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The most common gene that increases the risk of Alzheimer’s is known as “APOE”. Here’s a list of commercial companies that test for the presence of the gene.
One of the biggest responsibilities that comes with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease is keeping them safe. This can be challenging as Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, and so it can be hard to know when your loved one’s capabilities have declined to the point that you can no longer leave them safely alone by themselves. Here are some signs that indicate it is no longer safe to leave your loved one alone in the house.