Dear Allegra, My oldest friend is a caregiver for her 85-year-old mother. I see the physical and emotional toll caregiving is taking on her. As we head into the holiday season, I’m struggling to find a truly meaningful gift for her. I’d like to give her something really special. Do you have any suggestions for … Continued
Murali Doraiswamy, co-author of The Alzheimer’s Action Plan, told the Washington Post in a 2013 interview that music has been shown to benefit Alzheimer’s patients. “It does tend to brighten them up, to make them more alert, more socially active, and I suspect for the duration [of the session] there is a distinct cognitive improvement,” … Continued
Regular exercise can have an enormous impact on our health and well-being. But with age, we tend to lose our balance, flexibility, and endurance. And living with limited mobility, it can be particularly difficult for senior citizens to find an appropriate exercise regimen. It’s led many to ask, is Pilates good for seniors? Reasons Seniors … Continued
Dear Allegra, I am a nursing student at a local university. As I get closer to graduation, I am exploring my options for the future. Since I was a high school freshman, I’ve been a volunteer at an assisted living community. It’s something I truly enjoy. As I prepare for graduation, I’m contemplating a career … Continued
Moving to a new home can be stressful. It’s often a time of uncertainty, with losses of familiarity and parting with friends. Elderly parents who are moved can endure even greater stress. Moving them in the wrong way may even have a traumatic effect and potentially lead to relocation stress syndrome. Relocation does not have … Continued
Anyone can feel a little anxious at times or even have a full-fledged bout of anxiety, but if a senior adult finds that their anxiety is interfering with their normal daily activities, it may be time to talk to a doctor before it gets worse. What Is Anxiety? Everyone deals with anxiety, but there’s a … Continued
Dear Allegra, I work for a regional library with a very active community of retirees. Many of them are family caregivers for a spouse or elderly parent. We are working on an awareness campaign to honor their service and shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes. As part of this effort, we would like to … Continued
The body needs exercise, and the mind needs stimulation. As Alzheimer’s can gradually wear down your senses, you develop a new need—a need for sensory stimulation. Staying engaged with the world can have significant benefits for patients with dementia. And many of the best ways to stimulate Alzheimer’s patients are much simpler than you might … Continued
Celebrities with Alzheimer’s have taken significant steps in raising awareness, from charities to story-sharing. We rounded up famous faces who battled Alzheimer’s and their advocates. Famous People with Alzheimer’s Famous people who have had Alzheimer’s raised awareness through visibility. Here is a list of former presidents, artists, and actors with Alzheimer’s disease. Rita Hayworth (1918-1987): … Continued
Dear Allegra, My father has been living with Alzheimer’s for three years now, and I have taken on the role as his caregiver. As you can imagine, it is quite challenging. He takes several medications and it can be difficult to keep track. I have alarms set in my phone for each pill and I … Continued