Yearly Archives: 2020

Understanding Sundowners Syndrome

Suppose you know an elderly person afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or some other type of dementia. In that case, you may have noticed that they may be increasingly confused, agitated, restless, or even angry when the sun is about to set. Add to that; there is increased memory loss at sundown, too. Unfortunately, this makes it a bit more challenging to deal with our beloved seniors during this time of day. As such, we must all strive hard to extend our patience as the day ends. Why Is This Happening? Should you be dealing with this scenario, know that you are not alone. We've noticed these odd changes in the behavior of our elderly loved ones struggling with dementia as well. What is it about sundown that makes it akin to a "witching hour" for elderly…

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How to Deal with Difficult Behavior

Aging brings about changes in people, and they go beyond an individual's appearance. If you have an older relative, you’ve probably noticed them exhibiting more examples of difficult behavior lately. We got to know them growing up as these gentle, loving, and caring people. To see them suddenly become more aggressive, unruly, and even borderline abusive can be heartbreaking. It’s a challenging transformation to deal with for sure, but there are ways to make that task more manageable. In this article, we’ll talk about the things you can do to better cope during situations where your elderly relatives are misbehaving. We’ll also discuss the different reasons why they exhibit such behavior and highlight some examples too. The Possible Causes of Bad Behavior in Elderly Individuals Before you can attempt to reach out and reconnect with your…

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When to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care

The type of care your elderly loved one requires can change over time. You may soon need to choose between memory care assisted living facilities. Finalizing that decision is not so simple, however. For starters, there is no guarantee that your older relative will agree to the move. They are more likely to decline if they have grown attached to their current living arrangements. Sometimes though, you still need to make those difficult decisions. Please feel free to continue with this article to learn more about making the transition from assisted living to memory care facilities. How Do Assisted Living and Memory Care Facilities Differ from One Another? To determine what kind of care your loved one needs, you must first learn about the capabilities of the available options. They are not all the same, and…

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Understanding Vascular Dementia

As our parents and grandparents age, many of us cannot help but think of what conditions may affect them. Among those that prompt the greatest amount of concern is vascular dementia. Being fearful of a condition that affects the mind is understandable, but we cannot afford to be overwhelmed by that sense of dread. To tackle it capably and give our loved ones the support they need, we must better recognize what we are dealing with. This article will focus on all facets of vascular dementia. Please read on to find out more about how it affects the human mind. We’ll also talk about how to recognize that condition as well as the steps we can take to prevent it. What Is Vascular Dementia? To start, let’s first talk about what vascular dementia is. Vascular dementia…

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What is Durable Power of Attorney?

The unpredictability of life incentivizes us to prepare for even the grimmest of scenarios. It’s why everyone should know more about the term durable power of attorney (DPOA) and how it can help us maintain some semblance of control even if things do take a turn for the worse. You’ve likely heard of the term at some point and have a general idea of what it is, but it’s a subject worth exploring in greater detail. Learning more about powers of attorney now can save you and your loved ones from potentially nightmarish situations in the future. We’ll devote much of this article to discussing durable power of attorney, but let’s start by first recapping what power of attorney is in the first place. Understanding the Power of Attorney Power of attorney is a topic we’ve…

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Who Can Override Power of Attorney?

We want to be in complete control of our lives. Sometimes though, there are circumstances that prevent that from happening, which is why power of attorney (POA) can prove to be a highly useful legal tool. You probably have a general idea of what power of attorney is all about and why you may need it in the future. This article will elaborate on the topic further and clear up some common misconceptions. In addition to better defining the POA, you can also refer to this article as you seek to learn more about possibly overriding that legal document. You’ll also find out more about why that move may even become necessary in the first place. What Is Power of Attorney? Let’s turn to the American Bar Association for assistance in defining this legal term. As…

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The Best Foods That Fight Dementia

At this point in time, there is still no known cure for dementia. However, there are ways to prevent it, and one thing worth trying is to eat more foods that fight dementia. Before diving into how eating certain types of food can help in the fight against dementia, it’s worth taking the time to understand the condition first. Per the World Health Organization, dementia is a chronic and/or progressive syndrome that can harm an affected individual's cognitive abilities. A person's cognitive abilities deteriorate with age, but those with dementia are affected more. Examples of cognitive abilities that may be affected by dementia include a person’s comprehension, orientation, and memory. Several diseases can cause dementia. Among the most notable examples are Alzheimer’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease. If some of the blood vessels responsible for…

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Dealing with Depression in Seniors

Depression can affect us all. You may initially develop the illness during your teenage years, or it could pop up later in life as depression in seniors is well-documented. To gain a better sense of how prevalent depression is, consider some of the facts provided by the WHO. According to the WHO, over 264 million people all over the world are dealing with depression. Given how prevalent it is, it should come as no surprise that depression is also a leading cause of disability and a “major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.” You could even be related to someone who has dealt with or is still living with the disorder. Your older loved ones, in particular, are at risk of developing depression. Depression and Aging It is incredibly important to point out a…

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Beware of These Early Signs of Glaucoma

The world we live in is beautiful beyond words and is truly one worth marveling at. Unfortunately, not all of us will continue to admire the world around us, especially if we fail to recognize the early signs of glaucoma. How many of us are at risk of potentially losing our vision due to glaucoma? The numbers can be quite staggering. Over 3 million Americans are estimated to be living with an eye ailment. What’s even more concerning is that once your vision starts to degrade due to glaucoma, there is no getting it back. It truly is a cruel ailment that can rob anyone of such a valuable gift. The idea of losing your ability to see can be terrifying, but you are not powerless against it. By being vigilant about eye care and recognizing…

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Best Dogs for Senior Citizens

If you are an older adult who loves dogs, you should not let your advanced years become a determining factor in your dog ownership. There are many dogs for seniors out there that will fit your lifestyle. For instance, if you live in an adult care facility, you need to find out if you will be allowed to have a dog on the premises. Your health condition will, of course, affect your ability to care for your canine companion properly. The most important thing is to find the right dog breed that suits your lifestyle, needs, and skills. As a part of responsible pet ownership, you must make sure that you can meet the needs of your dog, whether it is food, exercise, grooming, or health care. Why Own a Dog? Having your own man’s best…

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