Articles Index
An Interview with Margie: Alzheimer's From a Daughter's View (Part 2)
A reader shares her struggle of coping with Alzheimer's disease, what challenges she faced with her mother's care, and what was helpful to her during that time. She also mentions her mother's experience with one of the medications often used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
An Interview with Margie: Alzheimer's From a Daughter's View (Part 3)
A daughter shares how she struggled with the increasing needs of her mother who had Alzheimer's disease. She recently lost her mom to the disease and chose to tell her story so others would know they are not alone.
An Interview with Margie: Alzheimer's From a Daughter's View (Part 1)
A daughter tells of her realization that her mother had Alzheimer's disease and shares some of her memories of her mom's early symptoms and diagnosis.
Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Confused about how to treat Alzheimer's disease? Learn about drug therapy and non-drug approaches for the symptoms of Alzheimer's.
Challenging Behaviors in Dementia
Learn about different kinds of challenging behaviors in dementia, why they develop, their prevalence, and how to respond to them.
What Is Cognitive Reserve?
Learn what is meant by the term "cognitive reserve," how it affects Alzheimer's disease, how to build it up and what its benefit is.
Coconut Oil: Is It Effective in Treating Alzheimer's Disease?
There's quite a bit of information circulating about using coconut oil to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease. I did some research, and here's what I found.
Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior and Dementia
Sometimes challenging behaviors in dementia take the form of obsessive-compulsive actions. Learn about what those behaviors are, why they develop and how we can respond to them.
How to Know When It's Time for Nursing Home Care
How do you know when to move your loved one into a nursing home? This decision is a challenging one, so here are some tips for you to think about as you consider this choice.
9 Tips for Researching and Choosing a Nursing Home
Not sure where to start when it comes to nursing homes? Here are some tips on steps to take and what to look for in this process.
5 Tips for Adjusting to Living in a Nursing Home
Are you moving to a nursing home? This change can be a difficult one, but many people thrive in this setting. Here are some research-based ideas on how to do that.
5 Ways to Help a Loved One With Dementia Adjust to a Nursing Home
If you find yourself worried about the adjustment of your loved one to a nursing home or other care facility, here are 5 ways to help him adjust to this change and soon feel at home.
Hoarding and Dementia
Learn about what hoarding is, why it sometimes accompanies dementia and how we can respond to it.
How to Talk to Someone Who Has Dementia
Are you confused about how to talk with someone who has Alzheimer's disease? Learn some basics about how to approach people who have dementia, including your words, tone of voice and non-verbals.
Drugs for Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms of Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's treatment for mood and behavior challenges is comprised of non-drug approaches (the first line of defense) and drug therapy. Drug therapy typically involves the psychotropic class of medications including antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood-stabilizers, hypnotics and anti-anxiety medications.
Wandering and Alzheimer's Disease
Learn about different kinds of wandering, what causes them, how to prevent and respond to wandering, and how to search for a missing loved one.
Tips to Prevent Wandering in Alzheimer's Disease
Restlessness and wandering are frequent behaviors in Alzheimer's. Often, however, there are specific reasons why people attempt to wander, as well as environmental strategies you can use to discourage elopement. Identifying the triggers that cause wandering can help minimize this behavior for your loved one.
10 Things to Stop Doing If You’re a Caregiver for Someone with Alzheimer's
If you're a caregiver for a family member or friend with dementia, there are often lots of challenges and rewards that come with that role. Sometimes we get stuck in patterns without intending to, and not all of those habits are helpful. Do you struggle with any of these areas in the role of caregiver for your loved one?
10 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself if You Have Alzheimer's
Coping positively with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia can be a huge challenge. What habits are you stuck in that, although completely understandable, really aren't helpful to you?
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: What Is It and How Is It Different Than Alzheimer's?
Learn what Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is, what causes it, how it's diagnosed and treated, as well as the symptoms and prognosis. Also, how is it related to mad cow disease?
Paranoia and Delusions in Alzheimer's Disease
The paranoia and delusions that can be part of Alzheimer's and other dementias can be hard to handle, especially when loved ones make accusations or become angry with us. Review these suggestions of how to cope with and respond to these challenging behaviors in dementia.
Long-Term Memory: How Is It Affected by Alzheimer's Disease?
What is the long-term memory, and how Alzheimer's disease affects its functioning? What's the best way to respond to memory loss in others?
Is It Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer's Disease?
What does it mean if your doctor says you have mild cognitive impairment? Learn how MCI is similar to and different from Alzheimer's disease and normal forgetfulness.
What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
Learn what Alzheimer's disease is, what its symptoms are, how it's diagnosed and treated, and how to cope with the effects of this most common form of dementia.
Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
Understanding the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can help you determine if you or a loved one may have the disease. Learn about the different stages of Alzheimer's and how they affect cognition, emotions, behavior and physical health.