Let’s face it. When a family member develops Alzheimer’s or Dementia, it affects the entire family in some way. Caring for a parent in their home or having them move into a family member’s home brings on a myriad of issues. Lots of adjustments must be made. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget about the most vulnerable and sensitive members of the family: the children. Youngsters see things through different eyes and conger up all sorts of misconceptions and fears. If you are dealing with Alzheimer’s home care, let us give you some direction for how to help kids understand Alzheimer’s. Don’t Pretend Everything Is The Same It’s important to spend time with children talking them through changes they are witnessing. Even in the early stages of the disease, explain what is going on in a language a child can grasp. If a loved one with Alzheimer’s has moved into a caregiver’s…

Watching the deterioration of a loved one with Alzheimer’s and trying to communicate with them can be heartbreaking. That once vibrant individual doesn’t seem to be the same person. The first and most important tip to know when speaking to your loved one is – they are still there inside. It doesn’t matter where they fall on the Alzheimer spectrum, communication is possible, and they are yearning for it. If you are struggling with Alzheimer’s home care in Toronto, let us give you some valuable tips for speaking to a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Have Patience This is one of the toughest communication skills to develop as you care for your loved one. Don’t try to finish their sentences. Wait for them to remember or find the right words. At the same time, don’t interrupt. Give them the time to complete their thought or request. Never Argue This is another…

That beautiful Barbra Streisand song from the movie The Way We Were has the poignant line “for it’s the laughter that we remember, whenever we remember the way we were.’’ This rings true for most everyone, and it includes those with Alzheimer’s disease. If you assist with Alzheimer’s care in Toronto, you know how important it is to evoke memories in those who are losing them little by little. Preserving those memories is a valuable tool to improve communication and provide a sense of belonging for our loved ones. In some cases it can help manage their behaviours and improve their sense of well-being. Start With Memory Triggers All our senses can open the door to lost and long-forgotten memories, especially for Alzheimer’s patients. Music triggers can bring out lovely memories from your loved one’s youth. Music is also a beneficial way to soothe a difficult senior. Certain aromas from…

The most common cause of Alzheimer’s disease is dementia. In a recent blog post we discussed at length the confusing difference between the the two. The cognitive impairment of Alzheimer’s disease progresses slowly once symptoms appear. The family and friends of a patient with Alzheimer’s are challenged as routine activities become more difficult with each passing day. This emotional roller coaster can be lonely, frightening and frustrating for caregivers. This sadly debilitating disease has some early signs and basically 3 stages. Although there are those who break the stages into 5 or 7 parts, we will deal with the 3 main stages. Before Symptoms Appear New imaging technologies can determine someone’s propensity for developing Alzheimer’s long before any symptoms appear. Protein deposits may be found in the brain, forewarning its development. Genetic tests and biomarkers can also indicate increased risk of the disease. These new discoveries may aid in finding…

The terms dementia and Alzheimer’s are used interchangeably by many, but they do not mean the same thing. It’s confusing because the symptoms of both many times overlap. It is important to understand the differences between the two in order to manage this special area of senior care and treat both effectively. The most important difference is that dementia is a syndrome or a set of symptoms, whereas Alzheimer’s is a disease. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Let’s take a look at what these two senior care conditions are and how they are different. Dementia Dementia is actually a syndrome or a set of symptoms. These symptoms can be caused by other issues or some specific disease. There are in fact 10 different types of dementia, a common one being vascular dementia. In this particular type of dementia changes in the brain are caused by a…