June 16, 2025 by
Sometimes it’s not what’s said that causes someone with dementia to react…it’s what’s around them. A moved piece of furniture. A shadow across the floor. A face they don’t recognize in a familiar room. These subtle changes might go unnoticed by most, but for someone with cognitive decline, these environmental triggers for dementia can make familiar surroundings feel suddenly unfamiliar, even threatening. (more…)
May 20, 2025 by
You’ve finally made it through the day. Dinner’s done, the dishes are drying, and just when you’re hoping for a quiet evening, things start to unravel. Your family member with dementia becomes anxious. Restless. Confused. Maybe even combative. You’re watching a switch flip right before your eyes, and no matter how calmly you speak or how many times you reassure them, nothing seems to help. (more…)
May 6, 2025 by
You sit down with someone you’ve known your whole life, and suddenly, you’re not sure what to say. The stories they used to tell don’t come as easily. The questions you ask might be met with confusion. And what used to be a comfortable back-and-forth can feel like walking through fog. If you’ve been there, you’re not alone. Changes in conversational comfort are incredibly common when caring for someone with dementia. (more…)
April 18, 2025 by
If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, you may have noticed some puzzling behaviors. Maybe they try to eat a napkin, put small objects in their mouth, or reach for things that aren’t food at all. This alarming and confusing behavior, known as pica, is more common in people with dementia than you might think. (more…)
April 4, 2025 by
You’ve likely experienced it before: an older loved one with dementia becomes stuck on a thought, anxious about something that isn’t a real threat, or determined to do something unsafe. No amount of logic seems to help. Trying to reason with someone with dementia only escalates the situation. It’s frustrating, emotional, and exhausting. (more…)
March 13, 2025 by
Children are naturally observant, and when a loved one begins showing signs of dementia, they may have a lot of questions. “Why does Grandma forget my name?” “Why does Grandpa keep asking me the same thing?” “Did I do something wrong?” As a parent, you might not always have immediate answers, but the most important thing is to create an open, reassuring space for discussion when kids have questions about dementia. (more…)
January 17, 2025 by
Have you ever stood in front of the fridge, unable to decide what to eat, even though you’re starving? Or stared at a to-do list, paralyzed by where to start? That crushing sense of mental exhaustion, where even the smallest choices feel impossible, is known as decision fatigue. It’s something many caregivers experience daily as they juggle the countless responsibilities that come with supporting someone they love. (more…)
November 26, 2024 by
“Laura, it’s so good to see you!”
What a sweet greeting this would be…if you actually were Laura. Increasingly, Mom is referring to you as her sister, forgetting that you’re her daughter. Coping with dementia-related memory loss, especially as the disease starts to steal memories and someone you love no longer recognizes your face, can be extremely hard. The sadness is overwhelming, the frustration undeniable, and the questions keep piling up: Why is this happening? What do I do now? (more…)
October 14, 2024 by
It’s a typical morning, and you’re helping Dad get ready for the day. You’ve picked out several options of outfits for him to choose from, but he balks and refuses to wear any of them. In fact, he’s been wearing the same outfit for several days now, despite your gentle requests each day to change. Sound familiar? Many family caregivers face this daily struggle, as dementia can make even simple tasks like changing clothes feel overwhelming. The good news is that with a few helpful strategies and plenty of patience, you can overcome dementia dressing challenges and make the process smoother. (more…)
September 10, 2024 by
If your mom has dementia and is struggling to remember your name or losing track of her daily routine, an unsettling thought might creep into your mind: “Will this happen to me, too?” It’s natural to struggle with the fear of facing the same challenges as a loved one with dementia. We invite you to take a deep breath and consider the following facts, causes, and risk factors about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease to help empower you to navigate these worries and find some peace of mind. (more…)