When a loved one receives a diagnosis of dementia, it can be a welcome answer to years of questions. But itās also the start of a new journey for families with lots of unknown variables. Itās a hard thing for adults to navigateābut what about kids? Maybe your teenager has noticed grandmaās symptoms, but how ... Read More
Taking care of someone with dementia is a big job. Depending on the stage of dementia and a loved oneās abilities, dementia caregiving can involve a wide-ranging set of challenges for both the person with dementia and the caregiver. Thankfully, technology is catching up to the unique needs of people with dementia and their caregivers. ... Read More
Music is a big part of life! Many of our great moments involve music; birthdays, weddings, and graduations are more enjoyable with great music. Music can invoke a special memory, change your mood, energize you, and make you want to dance. But were you aware that music may impact brain health and sleep quality as ... Read More
Many of us struggle to recall a certain word every now and then. But persistent difficulty with communication may lead to a diagnosis of a condition called aphasia. Aphasia Awareness month was in June, a great time to learn more about this condition and how it is treated. Aphasia is a communication disorder that affects ... Read More
Why do older adults experience memory and thinking problems? For years, the assumption was that most dementia was caused by Alzheimerās disease. But more recent research using advanced brain imaging and large collections of data has shown that itās not that simple. A study of 1,100 older adults released by the U.S. Department of Veterans ... Read More
Everyone in the family is worried about Momās memory problemsābut she insists nothing is wrong. She had a doctor appointment yesterday. Can family find out what the health care professional thinks? This is a complicated issue with lots of gray areas! In the earliest stages of Alzheimerās disease, a senior and their family may be ... Read More
Ms. Cusumano, thank you for taking time from your schedule to speak with us. Your wealth of information regarding end-of-life care and the decisions associated with it are truly remarkable. Your encouragement to ābreak the ice and start talking about deathā was a profound take away message. You helped us reimagine our approach with those who are chronically ill, realizing dying a good death doesnāt mean we are giving up on them. No one wants to suffer as their life comes to an end, which is why you teaching us about the importance of having an end-of-life plan is so critical. Thank you for helping to open our minds and our hearts.