QuickTips Index
The Cost of Alzheimer's Services
For those over the age of 65, the cost of Alzheimer's services is three times that of normal health care costs in that age bracket.
Exercise Can Quell Agitation in Those With Alzheimer's Disease
Just 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week can reduce agitation in those with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
ARMD and Alzheimer's Disease
It's long been thought that there may be a link between Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) and Alzheimer's disease.
How an Economic Downturn Affects Family Caregiving
A survey by UnitedHealthcare and the National Alliance for Caregiving indicates that caregivers have been severely affected by the economic downturn from April 2008 - April 2009.
EmFinders™ Offers Community Elder Care Solution for Wandering
I recently learned about EmFinders™, a unique community elder care solution to the very frightening risk of wandering among parents with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments.
Be a Successful Health Care Advocate for Your Family Member
When caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, one of the most challenging caregiving roles is that of health care advocate. Adapted from a report by MetLife Mature Market Institute, here are some suggestions for becoming a successful health care advocate for your family member.
Prognosis for People With Alzheimer's Disease
Although there's no cure for Alzheimer's, there's often confusion about whether it's a fatal disease. Learn about the prognosis for someone who's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
How to Help Those with Alzheimer’s Enjoy the Holiday Season
While people with Alzheimer's disease often enjoy the holiday season, those with early-stage Alzheimer's might feel a special sense of loss during this time, and those in the middle or later stages could become confused and overwhelmed by the influx of people and boisterous celebrations. Here are three ways to help your loved one enjoy the holiday season.
Gift Ideas for People with Alzheimer's and Their Caregivers
Are you at a loss when people ask for gift ideas for you and your care recipient? Make it easy for people with these simple guidelines.
Exercise and Brain Fitness
We know that exercise is good for physical fitness, but research indicates that it's good for brain fitness, too -- perhaps even when Alzheimer's disease has developed.
Diabetes, Hypertension and Alzheimer's Disease
If you have Alzheimer's disease, you already know that it's important to eat well, exercise regularly and get adequate rest, but did you know that it's also crucial for you to manage your diabetes and hypertension, if you have them?
Caregiver Transitions
Family caregivers go through several caregiver transitions as loved ones become more ill. At the 2008 Rocky Mountain Geriatrics Conference, Richard Schulz, Ph.D. described the most common caregiver transitions, including which one is the most difficult for family caregivers.
Choosing a Long-Term Care Facility
Feeling baffled about how to choose long-term care is normal because many factors must be considered, especially when your loved one needs specialized Alzheimer's care. Here are key questions to ask when choosing a long-term care facility.
Coping With a Financial Crisis
If you're a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia, it's natural to be concerned about the current financial crisis. You're not alone in wondering how you'll continue to be able to afford Alzheimer's care and handle other regular expenses. Find out how to keep your cool during difficult financial times with advice from Ellen Rogin, President of Strategic Financial Designs in Chicagoland. She recently spoke with Denise Brown on her radio show, Your Caregiving Journey.
Pack An Alzheimer's Toolkit When Traveling
Traveling can be challenging when your loved one has Alzheimer's. To make the trip go more smoothly, pack this toolkit and keep it with you, whether you travel by plane, train, or motor vehicle.
Providing Comfort During Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease
When late-stage Alzheimer's reduces the ability to communicate through words, it might seem useless to try to make a connection with your loved one. However, it's crucial to continue providing comfort to those with late-stage Alzheimer's disease by nurturing your personal connection with them. Here are three methods of providing comfort during late-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Caregiver Health and Mortality
Caregiver health is an important issue to address when planning for Alzheimer's care. At the 2008 Rocky Mountain Geriatrics Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, Richard Schulz, Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, reported on the results of his research about caregiver health and mortality.
Who Are Today's Caregivers?
Who are today's caregivers? At the 2008 Rocky Mountain Geriatrics Conference, Richard Schulz, Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shared important facts about today's family caregivers.
Recognizing Pain in Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease
While it's important to keep your loved one comfortable during late-stage Alzheimer's, this can be challenging because the disease affects your relative's ability to tell you when he or she is uncomfortable. Here are three ways to recognize pain in late-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Symptoms of Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease
In late-stage Alzheimer's, the disease finally begins to considerably affect parts of the brain that control bodily systems such as motor coordination, bowel and bladder function, and even breathing. Learn about the symptoms of late-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Reducing the Risk for Infection and Illness in Late-Stage Alzheimer’s
When people in late-stage Alzheimer's disease become chair-bound or bed-bound, their immune systems weaken, making them more vulnerable to illness. Learn how to reduce your loved one's risk for infections and other illnesses in late-stage Alzheimers by taking a few simple precautions.
Improving Bowel and Bladder Function in Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease
If you notice changes in your loved one's bowel and bladder function, it could be an acute (brief yet severe) medical problem, or it could simply be due to late-stage Alzheimer's. Learn strategies to improve your loved one's bowel and bladder function.
Addressing Immobility in Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease
In late-stage Alzheimer's, becoming chair-bound or bed-bound poses serious risks to your loved one's body, skin, and overall health. These three caregiving techniques will help you address immobility in late-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Enhancing Nutrition in Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease
People with late-stage Alzheimer's disease are at higher risk for malnutrition because of problems with eating and swallowing. They can also breathe liquids or food particles into the lungs, putting them at an increased risk for developing pneumonia. If your loved one has late-stage Alzheimer's, these strategies can help him or her eat and drink safely.
Is It Depression or Dementia?
When depression creates cognitive symptoms that look like Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, it's often referred to as pseudodementia. Learn the differences between depression and Alzheimer's and how medical professionals can distinguish between the two.