Memory Loss & Alzheimer’s Category
The effects of memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses are indescribable and life altering. Over 50% of older adults have dementia (the broader term for Alzheimer’s)—but are not diagnosed. Does caregiving for a loved one with dementia result in feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, frustration, or depression? Are you embarrassed to admit anger? Feel guilty? Is it time to take away the car keys? Is it time for assisted living or memory care? You don’t have to make these heart wrenching decisions alone. As a caregiving advocate, Pamela has made similar decisions. Real answers and solutions exist.
Articles On The Website Library
Check out articles by Pamela written especially for family caregivers. Below this section are articles in the FREE Family Membership Library where new articles are added each month. Membership is free, scroll down to review the information and subscribe today.
Memory Loss Screening and Diagnosis
Memory loss screening and diagnosis by simple tests like the MMSE, MoCA, and SLUMS confirm a diagnosis of memory loss. Further investigation through neuropsychological testing, CT, MRI or PET scans, blood work to identify the APOE-4 gene, and reviewing medical history provides a more thorough d...
Healthcare Bias Against Care for Older Adults with Dementia
The healthcare industry is biased against care for older adults with dementia. For example, differing opinions exist about providing physical rehabilitation also called physical therapy for older adults with dementia recovering from hip fractures. Medications for dementia are discontinued by do...
Dementia: 50% of Older Adults Not Diagnosed by Physicians
Fifty percent of older adults have dementia and are undiagnosed. Doctors inexperienced with dementia hesitate to diagnose dementia without self-reported concerns from older adult patients. Family members lack the skills to notice or report behaviors that are relate to dementia.
How will ol...
Impact of Dementia on the Caregiver: The 3 “R’s” of Support (Family)
“If only someone else could walk in my shoes and experience what it takes to care for a loved one with dementia. Sometimes I feel like I’m going crazy.”Trying to maintain a normal life is relative when one cares for a person with dementia. "Normal" in dementia may seem to others like livi...
Memory Loss: My Parent is Forgetful – Is it Serious?
Caregivers wonder about signs that indicate a loved one may have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia. Is simple forgetfulness an indicator? Is the type of forgetfulness a factor? How complicated is memory loss to diagnose? How might I notice forgetfulness in a loved one? Isn’t becoming f...
Controversial Diagnosis: Alcohol Related Dementia
The relationship between alcohol and a diagnosis of dementia remains somewhat a conundrum. While research has been ongoing, there remains a gap in conclusive data reporting that long term excessive alcohol use alone results in dementia. Long term excessive alcohol use has been proven to resul...
Parkinson’s Disease & Related Dementias: The Lost Skills of Communication & Swallowing
Parkinson’s disease is a health diagnosis within the family of dementias that also includes Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia and fronto-temporal dementia. The main difference between Parkinson’s disease and the other dementias is that the disease presents first...
Signs of Memory Loss and the Value of Diagnosis
Fear of pursuing a diagnosis of memory loss is common. Avoiding discussions denies the opportunity to express concerns and desires and to plan for the future.
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Missing the Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Pamela D. Wilson, CSA, MS, BS/BA, CG
Many family members are unaware of the early signs of memory loss, cognitive impairment, dementia or Alzheimer's disease because. They assume whatever they are seeing relative to memory loss is a normal process related to aging. And physicians, in the...
Controversial Benefits of Microchip Implants for Alzheimer’s Wanderers
Are the benefits of microchip implants for Alzheimer's wanderers controversial? Microchip implants and GPS tracking devices are a solution for persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's who wander and become at physical risk of harm or death.A personal debate exists about safety versus personal priv...
To Read Articles in the FREE Family Membership Library
The special articles below are for website visitors who join the free family membership library. These articles are located on Pamela’s membership website. Members receive notice of new articles that are added each month and have access to other special programs that Pamela offers. Membership is free, subscribe today.
Dementia and Delirium: Activities to Support Daily Abilities and Reduce the Likelihood of Requiring a Greater Level of Care
Dementia and Delirium: Activities to Support Daily Abilities and Reduce the Likelihood of Requiring a Greater Level of Care
DSD is a term describing delirium superimposed on dementia. This condition most commonly occurs when a person with dementia experiences a hospitalization or a signif...
Alzheimer’s Medications: Benefits Versus Risks (Family)
By Pamela D Wilson CSA, CG, MS, BS/BAResearch (Ellis 2005) exists regarding the benefits of using a class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The American Geriatrics Society cautions use of these medications stating that periodic a...
Brain Health
Interview with Dr. Bryan Kolb, Principal Investigator Behavioral Neurosciences, University of Lethbridge, Canada
(podcast 8:06 playing time)
Click the Play button below to listen:
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The Pitfalls and Dangers of Moderate Cognitive Impairment
Caregivers prefer to avoid saying the words Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Professionals, recognizing fear, use terms like mild cognitive impairment or moderate cognitive impairment to dance around the reality of making a diagnosis. I take many of my clients to medical appointments. At a pa...
Time to Give Up the Car Keys?
We love our cars. Some of us love the type of car we own and the way it looks; sporty, shiny or compact. For others it’s the way our cars make us feel when we’re driving; a convertible with the wind blowing through our hair. Others love the ability to jump in the car and go for a drive; the...
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