Oasis Senior Advisors
Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Dementia is a term meaning the decline of cognitive abilities. Though the human brain experiences a small amount of typical cognitive decline in late adulthood, dementia is not a typical part of natural aging. Multiple types of dementia exist and impact people differently; Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and affects millions of older adults in the United States. Over time, these diseases progress and impact the individual’s memory and functioning.
Although dementia and Alzheimer’s disease impact many people, even more people feel their effects. Dementia patients must increasingly rely on long-term care services, and the diseases cause cognitive and behavioral changes that reshape how the patients interact with family members. These articles help educate Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and their families about this group of diseases, offering insight, education, and resources.
Memory and Forgetfulness: The Difference Between Normal Aging and Dementia
Memory lapses are a normal part of aging, and most people will experience some changes in memory and cognition as they get older, such as forgetting someone’s name or an important occasion. Just because your mother is experiencing problems with her memory does not mean she will develop dementia in the future. In fact, only […]
Walk a Mile In Their Shoes
It can be challenging to know how to be supportive of someone without knowing what they’re experiencing or feeling. This includes people who have received a dementia diagnosis – and those who love them. Have you ever heard the expression: “Walk a mile in my shoes”? It is used to increase the understanding of what […]
Understanding Dementia With Virtual Reality
As a healthcare provider for seniors, diagnoses such as dementia are not uncommon. Doctors, social workers, and nurses train to assist seniors and their families in preparing for the often complicated process. It can become difficult to advise clients and families on what to expect when we have not gone through the changes that come […]
5 Safe Ways to Handle Cognitive Impairment Behaviors
People with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other disorders that cause cognitive impairment sometimes exhibit behaviors that can be aggressive, disruptive and challenging to deal with. For family members and caregivers this behavior can quickly become hurtful and exhausting. However, it’s important to remember that your loved one is not behaving this way on purpose or […]
What to Do When a Loved One With Dementia Is Mean or Acting Out
Watching an aging loved one struggle with dementia can be difficult on its own, but when your mom starts hurling mean comments and false accusations at you, it is natural to feel discouraged and devastated due to the change in your previously-kind mother. No matter how much you try to remind yourself that your loved […]
Why Is My Loved One In Denial About Their Dementia?
We know mom has dementia, that’s already been diagnosed. We watch as her ability to care for herself declines right before our eyes. We see her forgetfulness and confusion, but now, to make matters worse, she is refusing medical care and treatment. Does she realize she needs help? Does she know she’s ill? Why can’t […]
Ethically Caring for Patients with Dementia and Similar Disorders
Registration now open for June 23 CEU event: Physicians, nurses, social workers and others who assist elderly patients daily are guided by the ethical principles of their professions. These codes of ethics share a similar purpose: to provide a set of values, principles and standards for decision-making and professional conduct. A code of ethics holds […]
Everyday Tips for Memory Loss
By Nyaka Mwanza Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating are common and often accepted parts of getting older, and not necessarily a sign that something serious is wrong. Sometimes, though, forgetfulness and memory issues can be a sign of a bigger health problem, such as lesions in the brain. Brain lesions are a type of damage due […]
Identifying Delirium vs Dementia and Choosing Appropriate Interventions
by Amanda Barbera, BSN, RN, CSA Whenever a senior is not thinking clearly, is forgetful or acting out of character, friends, family and caregivers generally assume that the senior may have dementia. Though these symptoms are all common signs of dementia, they are also very typical symptoms of delirium. Dementia and delirium appear very similar, […]
Working with a Certified Dementia Practitioner
by Beth Friesen, RN CCM CSA CDP CADDCT Seniors living with Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia experience a unique aging journey, as memory loss affects every aspect of their day-to-day lives. Certified Dementia Practitioners® (CDPs) are specially trained and equipped with a unique knowledge of the memory loss community, and seniors and their […]