People with vascular dementia have unique needs that can be supported in the home. However, as the disease progresses, new challenges can arise. The good news is, it's possible to minimize stressful situations by applying proven caregiver strategies. Keep Reading

As more people are living with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) families often wonder what they can do to manage challenges that arise and if what they’re experiencing is normal. Keep Reading

Steve Toll, care enhancement specialist and musician, talks about how music triggers memories, not only of the song and the performer, but also how we were feeling at the time we heard it, the people we were with and the events that were happening. Keep Reading

Like shelter and food, companionship is one of the most important necessities in life. Having... Keep Reading

By Steve Toll, care enhancement specialist   When I was a kid, my mother would play the... Keep Reading

By Steve Toll, care enhancement specialist   I will never forget the first time I saw... Keep Reading

Steve Toll sings tunes from the 30s to the 60s in a quest to connect with seniors and those living with dementia through music and conversation. When COVID-19 hit, Steve started getting on Facebook daily to help engage and connect with seniors who are sheltering-in-place. Keep Reading

We usually associate the latest technology with the young, but in the case of virtual reality (VR),... Keep Reading

During this period of social and physical distancing, it can be challenging for people to stay... Keep Reading

We all feel lonely from time to time. Indeed, loneliness may actually help us to experience... Keep Reading

According to a study by AARP most older adults want to continue living at home. Under the right conditions, people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can stay at home until the end of life, enjoying the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. Keep Reading

Older adults can be harmed at home due to inadvertently taking too much medication. This risk... Keep Reading

Almost every morning during my summer vacations as a kid, my parents and I would ride together on the boardwalk along the New Jersey shore. Keep Reading

There is nothing more satisfying than a home-cooked meal with friends and family. I have some fond memories of watching my mother prepare the family meal and smelling the delightful aromas that made my mouth water. I could not help sneaking a taste when Mom wasn’t looking. Of course, Mom knew exactly what I was doing, and she started to encourage my tasting behavior. She also started to ask me to help her with meal preparations and as I became more involved, asking questions, tasting and making flavor adjustments, I was learning to cook and having a lot of fun. Keep Reading

When I would visit my grandma at her retirement community, I would watch the parade of little white busses shuttling residents from one day-trip to the next. Keep Reading

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, safety is the second tier of the pyramid just above the need for food and water. It is defined as “protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear.” When we think of creating a safe environment for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, the focus tends to be on elements of the physical environment that may be dangerous, but we often overlook the psychological aspects of feeling safe. Keep Reading

The term "memory loss" is commonly used as a shorthand for dementia, especially in regard to Alzheimer's disease where memory loss is a prominent feature. However, did you know that not all types of dementia include significant memory loss? Did you know some types of memory may remain more intact than others? Keep Reading

When people think of “dementia,” it is natural to next think “memory loss.” What we may not be prepared for is how other behaviors can change and even become difficult to manage. In fact, it is these challenging behaviors that families report as more troublesome than memory loss. Keep Reading

When someone in the family has dementia, two important facts need to be respected, particularly around the winter holidays: We want to spend the time we can with our loved ones. Yet, people, noise and activity can easily overwhelm those with dementia. Keep Reading

People with dementia frequently make mistakes in judgment and understanding. They begin to have communication problems as use of language becomes more difficult. People with dementia also have high levels of confusion about the world we live in. Combine all these factors, and situations are ripe for misinterpretation. Besides hallucinations and delusions, there can be alternate interpretations for the situations below: Keep Reading