Try: People with alzheimer alzheimer’s disease become increasingly unable to take care of themselves however the disease progresses differently in each person as a caregiver you face the ongoing challenge of adapting to each change in the person person’s behavior and functioning the following general principles may be helpful # think prevention it is very difficult to predict what a person with alzheimer alzheimer’s might do just because something has not yet occurred does not mean it should not be cause for concern even with the best-laid plans accidents can happen therefore checking the safety of your home will help you take control of some of the potential problems that may create hazardous situations # adapt the environment it is more effective to change the environment than to change most behaviors while some alzheimer alzheimer’s behaviors can be managed with special medications prescribed by a doctor many cannot you can make changes in an environment to decrease the hazards and stressors that accompany these behavioral and functional changes # minimize danger by minimizing danger you can maximize independence a safe environment can be a less restrictive environment where the person with alzheimer alzheimer’s disease can experience increased security and more mobility information references "home safety for people with alzheimer alzheimer’s disease" b u s department of health and human services 2010 available at

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware, Unaware

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Keywords: Alzheimer alzheimer’s disease home safety wanders wandering

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Care givers often wonder if it is safe to leave a person with alzheimer alzheimer’s disease alone this issue needs careful evaluation and is certainly a safety concern the following points may help you decide does the person with alzheimer alzheimer’s become confused or unpredictable under stress recognize a dangerous situation for example fire know how to use the telephone in an emergency 8 know how to get help stay content within the home wander and become disoriented show signs of agitation depression or withdrawal when left alone for any period of time attempt to pursue former interests or hobbies that might now warrant supervision such as cooking appliance repair or woodworking you may want to seek input and advice from a health care professional to assist you in these considerations as alzheimer alzheimer’s disease progresses these questions will need ongoing evaluation references "home safety for people with alzheimer alzheimer’s disease" by u s department of health and human services 2010 available at

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Good Verbal Comm, So-So Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Somewhat Aware

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Keywords: Alzheimer alzheimer’s disease home safety

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: It’s important to be aware of ways that your health environment and lifestyle may contribute to memory loss sometimes even what looks like significant memory loss can be caused by treatable conditions and reversible factors listed below are a few of them # side effects of medication many prescribed and over-the-counter drugs or combinations of drugs can cause cognitive problems and memory loss as a side effect this is especially common in older adults because they break down and absorb medication more slowly common medications that affect memory and brain function include sleeping pills antihistamines blood pressure and arthritis medication antidepressants anti-anxiety meds and painkillers # depression depression can mimic the signs of memory loss making it hard for you to concentrate stay organized remember things and get stuff done depression is a common problem in older adults, especially if you’re less social and active than you used to be or you’ve recently experienced a number of important losses or major life changes retirement a serious medical diagnosis the loss of a loved one moving out of your home # vitamin b12 deficiency vitamin b12 protects neurons and is vital to healthy brain functioning a lack of b12 can cause permanent damage to the brain older people have a slower nutritional absorption rate which can make it difficult for you to get the b12 your mind and body need if you smoke or drink you may be at particular risk if you address a vitamin b12 deficiency early you can reverse the associated memory problems treatment is available in the form of a monthly injection # thyroid problems the thyroid gland controls metabolism if your metabolism is too fast you may feel confused and if it’s too slow you can feel sluggish and depressed thyroid problems can cause memory problems such as forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating medication can reverse the symptoms # alcohol abuse drinking too much alcohol is toxic to brain cells and alcohol abuse leads to memory loss over time alcohol abuse may also increase the risk of dementia because of the damaging effects of excessive drinking experts advise limiting your daily intake to just 1-2 drinks # dehydration older adults are particularly susceptible to dehydration severe dehydration can cause confusion drowsiness memory loss and other symptoms that look like dementia it’s important to stay hydrated aim for 6-8 glasses of water per day this is especially important if you take diuretics or laxatives or suffer from diabetes high blood sugar or diarrhea information references "memory loss and aging causes treatment and help for memory problems" by melinda smith lawrence robinson and robert segal 2011 available at

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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Keywords: Memory loss forgets things

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: The same practices that contribute to healthy aging and physical vitality also contribute to healthy memory exercise regularly regular exercise boosts brain growth factors and encourages the development of new brain cells exercise also reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease exercise also makes a huge difference in managing stress and reducing anxiety and depression stay social people who don’t have social contact with family and friends are at higher risk for memory problems than people who have strong social ties social interaction helps brain function in several ways it often involves activities that challenge the mind and it helps ward off stress and depression so join a book club reconnect with old friends or visit the local senior center being with other people will help keep you sharp eat plenty of fruits vegetables and omega-3 fats eating plenty of fresh produce keeps your brain cells from "rusting " and foods rich in omega-3 fats such as salmon tuna trout walnuts and flaxseed are really good for your brain and memory also avoid saturated and trans fats which helps cholesterol levels and reduces your risk of stroke manage stress cortisol the stress hormone damages the brain over time and can lead to memory problems but even before that happens stress causes memory difficulties in the moment when you’re stressed out you’re more likely to suffer memory lapses and have trouble learning and concentrating get plenty of sleep sleep is necessary for memory consolidation the process of forming and storing new memories so you can retrieve them later sleep deprivation also reduces the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus and causes problems with memory concentration and decision-making it can even lead to depression, another memory killer don’t smoke smoking heightens the risk of vascular disorders that can cause stroke and constrict arteries that deliver oxygen to the brain information references "memory loss and aging causes treatment and help for memory problems" by melinda smith lawrence robinson and robert segal 2011 available at

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Social, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Unaware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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Keywords: Memory loss forgets things smoking sleep stress anxiety social activity exercise fruits and vegetables

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Just as physical exercise can make and keep your body stronger mental exercise can make your brain work better and lower the risk of mental decline here are some ideas for brain exercise #play games that involve strategy like chess or bridge and word games like scrabble #try crossword and other word puzzles or number puzzles such as sudoku #read newspapers magazines and books that challenge you #get in the habit of learning new things games recipes driving routes a musical instrument a foreign language #take a course in an unfamiliar subject that interests you the more interested and engaged your brain the more likely you’ll be to continue learning and the greater the benefits you’ll experience #take on a project that involves design and planning such as a new garden a quilt or a koi pond information references "memory loss and aging causes treatment and help for memory problems" by melinda smith lawrence robinson and robert segal 2011 available at

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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Keywords: Memory loss forgets things brain improving memory preventing memory loss cognitive decline

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: If you find yourself in the position of talking to an older friend or family member about their driving remember the following #be respectful for many seniors driving is important for staying independent many older adults have fond memories of getting a driver’s license at the same time don’t be intimidated or back down if you have a true concern #give specific examples it’s easier to tune out generalizations like "you just can’t drive safely anymore" outline concerns that you have noticed such as "you have a harder time turning your head than you used to" or "you braked suddenly at stop signs three times the last time we drove" #find strength in numbers if more than one family member or close friend has noticed it’s less likely to be taken as nagging a senior may also listen to a more impartial party such as a doctor or driving specialist #help find alternatives the person may be so used to driving that they have never considered alternatives you can offer concrete help such as researching transportation options or offering rides when possible if your family member is reluctant to ask for help it can lead to isolation and depression #understand the difficulty of the transition a senior may experience a profound sense of loss having given up driving don’t dismiss their feelings but try to help with the transition as much as possible if it is safe try slowly transitioning the senior out of driving to give them time to adjust for example he may begin the transition by no longer driving at night or on the freeways or by using a shuttle service to specific appointments such as the doctor’s information references "senior driving safety tips warning signs and knowing when to stop" by joanna saisan monika white and lawrence robinson 2011 available at

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Hearing, So-So Hearing, Poor Hearing

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Keywords: Driving not driving discussing driving talking about not driving transportation car

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: For most people occasional lapses in memory are a normal part of the aging process not a warning sign of serious mental deterioration or the onset of dementia normal age-related forgetfulness the following types of memory lapses are normal among older adults and generally are not considered warning signs of dementia forgetting where you left things you use regularly like glasses or keys forgetting names of acquaintances or blocking one memory with a similar one such as calling a grandson by your son’s name occasionally forgetting an appointment having trouble remembering what you’ve just read or the details of a conversation walking into a room and forgetting why you entered becoming easily distracted not quite being able to retrieve information you have "on the tip of your tongue " does your memory loss affect your ability to function the main difference between age-related memory loss and dementia is that age-related memory loss isn’t disabling the memory lapses have little impact on your daily performance and ability to do what you want to do when memory loss becomes so frequent and severe that it disrupts your work hobbies social activities and family relationships you may be experiencing the warning signs of alzheimer’s disease or another disorder that causes dementia or a condition that mimics dementia information references "memory loss and aging causes treatment and help for memory problems" by melinda smith lawrence robinson and robert segal 2011 available at

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Emotional Psychological, Medical Physical, Long-Term Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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Keywords: Memory loss trouble remembering forgets things

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Normal age-related memory changes able to function independently and pursue normal activities despite occasional memory lapses able to recall and describe incidents of forgetfulness may pause to remember directions but doesn’t get lost in familiar places occasional difficulty finding the right word but no trouble holding a conversation judgment and decision-making ability the same as always symptoms that may indicate dementia difficulty performing simple tasks paying bills dressing appropriately washing up ; forgetting how to do things you’ve done many times unable to recall or describe specific instances where memory loss caused problems gets lost or disoriented even in familiar places; unable to follow directions words are frequently forgotten misused or garbled; repeats phrases and stories in same conversation trouble making choices; may show poor judgment or behave in socially inappropriate ways information references "memory loss and aging causes treatment and help for memory problems" by melinda smith lawrence robinson and robert segal 2011 available at

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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Keywords: Memory loss trouble remembering forgets things

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: One of the hardest things in shopping for long-term care insurance is that the different policies are almost impossible to compare the first step is to choose a well known insurance company because you probably won’t be using the policy for a very long time you want to make sure the company will still be around when you need it make sure that the insurer is rated in the top two categories by one of the services that rates insurance companies like a m best moodys or standard & poor poor’s most of the time policies provide a daily benefit up to a specified dollar amount for a specified period of time for instance a policy may provide a daily benefit level of 150 for three years of coverage for a total potential benefit of 165 000 things to consider what is covered you can purchase a policy that only covers nursing home care or one that will also cover home health and assisted living care most policies today cover care no matter where it is provided what is the trigger for qualifying for coverage typically policies base qualification on cognitive impairment or the need for assistance in two or three activities of daily living dressing toileting eating transferring bathing and continence inflation rider while 150 with your income may be enough to cover your cost of care today what about 10 or 20 years from now buyers are given the option of purchasing an inflation rider with the policy which typically provide that the daily benefit increases by 5 percent a year either on a flat or compound basis such riders can significantly increase the annual premiums a rule of thumb some advisors follow is that purchasers under age 70 should purchase an inflation rider and those over age70 should not elimination period the next choice is the length of the elimination period which is the period of time the insured must wait before the policy will kick in you will have to pay long-term care expenses while you wait this waiting period can be between 0 and 90 days or even longer the longer the elimination period the lower the premium claims record the most important variable in choosing between companies has to do with their claims record do they honor claims on their policies on a timely basis without too much hassle or do they put up roadblocks every step of the way keep in mind that if in order to qualify for insurance you fail to tell the insurer about an illness the company may refuse you coverage at the time benefits are needed it is better to be denied a policy and to be able to plan knowing that coverage is not available than to believe that coverage will be forthcoming only to have it denied when it is needed likewise you should make sure that you purchase from an insurance company that evaluates–or in insurance company parlance underwrites –the policy from day one if not the company could refuse you coverage when they evaluate the application at a later date other things to consider policies also offer the option of naming a second person to receive notice of any late premium payment in the past many policyholders stopped paying premiums due to the onset of cognitive impairment losing the policies just when they needed them now at least someone else can be given notice and the opportunity to step in and save the policy many potential purchasers of long-term care insurance object to the fact that in the best case scenario they’ll never use the policies and will never reap a benefit from their investment as a result some companies are beginning to offer combined long-term care and life insurance products the buyer will have to determine whether this is a better deal than separate long-term care and life insurance policies one of the drawbacks of long-term care insurance is that companies are usually unwilling to guarantee that the premiums will not rise over time one solution is an option offered by some companies known as 10-pay policies these policies only require 10 annual premium payments and then the policies are paid up for life of course the premiums are higher over those 10 years but when done the client client’s long-term care funding is complete information references "long term care insurance " available at

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Categories: Sage, Topic, Cognitive Intellectual, Financial, Medical Physical, Verbal Communication, Poor Verbal Comm, Cognitive Awareness, Unaware

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Keywords: Insurance paying for long term care long term care cognitive impairment

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Care recipients crs with dementia have common behavioral and psychiatric symptoms if you can identify these symptoms you may be able to provide better assistance to the cr physiological or medical causes progressive deterioration of brain cells underlying medical conditions that cause pain for example ear infections sinus infections urinary or respiratory tract infections constipation or problems with hearing or vision some of these medical conditions can be corrected with proper treatment side effects of medications when the cr is taking multiple medications for several health conditions there is more potential for drug interactions environmental causes environmental influences such as moving to a new residence or nursing home wanting to go home or worrying about people from the past the cr may find the new situations a threat for example a change in the caregiver the cr may experience fear and fatique that results from trying to make sense of an increasingly confusing world information references adapted from mace n & rabins p 2006 the 36-hour day baltimore the johns hopkins university press

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Categories: Cognitive Intellectual, Medical Physical

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Keywords: Alzheimer alzheimer’s

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed