Outline of two human profiles facing opposite directions, with a shared overlapping area in the shape of a speech bubble. Inside the overlapping area is a blue-green heart shape with a red circle containing a white medical cross. The background is white.

Are you concerned a loved one may have dementia? If so, be careful how you bring it up. It’s a scary subject! Before jumping to conclusions, gather some information. Ask family members and close friends what they have observed. Have others noticed changes? Think of the issue as one of “brain health.” Brains change as…

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Illustration of a person wearing a theatrical mask with a happy expression, standing between red stage curtains and waving one arm. The background features abstract geometric shapes in muted tones.

While there is no denying the hardships of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, a growing number of families are exploring innovative strategies for including lightness and laughter on the journey. One option is to steal a page from the theater arts—specifically, improvisational theater.

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An elderly man with gray hair and wearing a sweater and collared shirt looks puzzled while pointing at a calendar on the wall. His other hand is touching his head as he appears to be trying to remember or figure something out.

“Senior moments” are a normal part of aging. They happen to everyone. We just don’t process things as quickly as we did in younger years. Some people develop significant memory and thinking problems. These people are eventually unable to live safely on their own. Typically, they have a stroke or develop Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.…

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Illustration of a DNA double helix structure set against a blue, futuristic background with dotted patterns and light effects. The DNA strands are depicted in green with connecting spheres, representing the molecular bonds.

These days, most everyone is wondering if they are likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. If someone in your immediate family has been diagnosed with the disease, you might feel at especially high risk. There is a test for an Alzheimer’s gene (APOE4). But it’s not 100% certain: Not everyone who has the APOE4 gene will…

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A person wearing a light blue dress shirt is shown from the back with their right hand placed behind them. Their fingers are crossed, indicating a common gesture often associated with hoping for good luck or not telling the truth.

Mom taught you to always tell the truth. But in the context of caring for someone with memory loss (dementia), honesty may not always be the best policy. There may be times when the kindest strategy—the one that reduces your loved one’s anxiety or fear—is to omit the truth or bend it a little. This…

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A person in a blue long-sleeve shirt holds the hand of another person in a gray striped long-sleeve shirt, offering support and comfort. The background is blurred, focusing attention on the supportive gesture between the two individuals.

If the person you care for has a problem with memory loss (dementia), you may find that he or she gets agitated about things that don’t make sense. Your long-retired dad, for instance, may wake up in the mornings and insist, “I have to go to work!” It can be confusing for you. And frustrating!…

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A close-up photo features a circle of colorful glass marbles loosely arranged on a reflective blue surface. The marbles are smooth, translucent, and filled with swirling ribbons of red, blue, yellow, and green.

If you have a relative with Alzheimer’s or one of many other dementia conditions, it’s natural to wonder about your own risk. While there is no cure as yet, there is increasing evidence that lifestyle changes in middle age may do a lot to delay the onset of memory loss. The plaques and tangles of…

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An elderly man with glasses is smiling and sitting in the driver's seat of a car, holding the steering wheel. He is wearing a light-colored shirt and a gray sweater. The background outside the car window shows greenery.

Everyone with a memory loss condition deserves the opportunity to stay engaged in life for as long as possible. Early in the disease, your loved one will continue to do many things quite well. Your challenge is to balance respect for your relative’s independence with the need to ensure safety. All this while preserving a…

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A woman with shoulder-length brown hair looks distressed with her hand near her face. She is wearing a light blue top against a blurred, light-colored background.

What do you do when sweet Mom starts cursing angrily? When straitlaced Dad makes off-color remarks? In persons with dementia, these behaviors are not on purpose. They are caused by the brain changes of the disease. If you can’t find humor in the situation, draw on your patience. Believe it or not, your relative is doing…

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Three neatly folded towels in brown, pink, and green are stacked on a light wooden surface. An orchid flower and a small bud are placed beside the towels against a soft pink background.

Bathing brings many discomforts. Bathrooms can feel cold and drafty when a person is wet. And running water can be noisy. Nudity makes bathing very intimate, which can be distressing when a modest person needs help and may not recognize the helper.  Plus, bathing is a complicated process with many steps in a specific order.…

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