The Essential Role and Value of Activity in Life: Why Staying Engaged Matters for Everyone, Especially Those with Dementia Activity is a fundamental component of life that goes beyond physical fitness. When we think of “activity,” we often picture cardio workouts or physical exercise, but activity is much more than that. It encompasses physical, mental, social, and emotional engagement—essential…
Touch: A Vital Connection in Human Health and Well-being… Touch is one of our most fundamental senses, essential from the moment we are born. Research shows that touch, a vital connection, has profound effects on our mental, emotional, and physical health, affecting everything from mood regulation to stress relief and even social bonding. The skin is the largest organ…
Successfully Offering Fail-safe Activities to People Living with Alzheimer’s and Other Types of Dementia – When caring for individuals with dementia, providing meaningful and engaging activities is crucial to their quality of life. Adapted activities not only offer a sense of purpose but also help stimulate cognitive function, reduce anxiety, and enhance emotional well-being. However, finding and offering fail-safe…
The Future of Person-Centered Care: Move Beyond Basic Needs to Meaningful Engagement in Long-Term Care – In long-term care (LTC) settings, meeting residents’ daily needs—such as nutrition, hygiene, and medication—has long been the focus. However, as our understanding of holistic care evolves, it becomes clear that these basic needs are only part of the equation. To truly improve the…
Dementia Training Using the Adapted Montessori Approach – The integration of Montessori methods into dementia care, and dementia training, represents a pioneering approach to enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with dementia. This approach leverages principles originally designed for educational settings, particularly for children, and adapts them to the needs of adults experiencing cognitive decline. When applied…
Tangram Puzzles: How did Tangram puzzles get their name? The term “Tangram” refers to an ancient Chinese puzzle that consists of seven geometric pieces (two large triangles, one medium triangle, two small triangles, one square, and one parallelogram) that are used to form various shapes. The name “Tangram” likely combines the Chinese word “Tang,” meaning Chinese, and the Greek…
Brian LeBlanc: Life Journey – An Advocate Against Alzheimer’s Stigma, Brian LeBlanc’s life journey stands as a powerful beacon of resilience and advocacy. Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 54, Brian transformed his diagnosis into an opportunity to educate and inspire others by candidly sharing his personal experience with Alzheimer’s through multiple platforms like YouTube, blogs, and…
Subtle Signs of Progression – Caregivers, especially those working long hours, often face both physical and emotional exhaustion, making it difficult to closely monitor every change in the behaviors of residents with dementia. However, there may be some subtle signs of progression into a more advanced stage of dementia, even when caregivers don’t have the time for deep analysis….
Understanding the Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease: Progression and Key Signs – Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that gradually impairs cognitive function and memory. The disease typically progresses through distinct stages, each marked by specific signs and symptoms. Understanding the stages of Alzheimer’s can help caregivers, family members, and healthcare professionals provide appropriate care and support. Below is…
Early Detection and Intervention in Alzheimer’s Disease: Why It Makes a Significant Difference Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that worsens over time, but early detection and intervention can play a crucial role in managing its impact. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, identifying the disease in its early stages opens the door to various benefits for the…
In memory care, one of the most common breakdowns is social recognition. The breakdown…
This may be uncomfortable to read—and even more uncomfortable to recognize in ourselves. It’s…
