<!–[CDATA[As a caregiver, you often need to trust your instincts about how a senior loved one is really doing. These feelings are especially important when it comes to recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

While there is currently no cure for the disease, there are an increasing number of options that might help treat some of the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

It’s also important to be evaluated early because memory problems that seem to indicate Alzheimer’s may actually be caused by depression, medications, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, excess alcohol use, and even infections. If that’s the case, these conditions can be addressed.

Alzheimer’s disease begins slowly. Typically with memory loss about newly learned information. Later, mood fluctuations and behavior changes occur. Intense confusion can prevent even simple daily tasks from being done. Walking and even swallowing may become difficult or impossible.

It’s often witnessing a senior’s increasing problems with memory that prompts a caregiver to take action.

Methods to Diagnose Alzheimer’s

There is no single test that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. The diagnosis is determined by assessing the senior’s symptoms and eliminating other health conditions:

• Medical history. If you suspect a problem with a loved one, start keeping notes with dates when specific memory challenges have occurred or when they first began. This can eliminate the possibility of understating or overstating problems. Their doctor will ask about past and current medical issues, medications, diet, alcohol consumption and medical conditions of family members.
• Physical and cognitive examination. During the physical exam, the physician will check blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and heart rate. He or she will also evaluate the patient’s memory and problem-solving skills. These tests will typically include questions and activities to assess reasoning, judgment, attention, language, simple math abilities and problem-solving skills.
• Blood tests. To rule out thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies, blood tests will be done. A blood test can also determine if an infection is present and if the liver and kidneys are properly functioning.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Sometimes a spinal tap may be required to analyze the proteins in the fluid that is present in the spine or brain.
• Assess risk for depression. To learn if depression is the cause of the memory loss, the physician may conduct a depression screening or refer your senior loved one to a mental health professional for an evaluation.
• Brain imaging. Scans of the brain can show if the brain is shrinking while also determining if the memory loss is caused by a brain tumor, aneurysm, bleeding, nerve injury, stroke, or fluid built up in the brain.

Based on their findings, the primary care physician may refer your loved one to a neurologist or another colleague who specializes in memory loss.

Memory Care at Five Star Senior Living in Indiana

At Five Star Senior Living communities, we can provide resources to help you start the conversation with a family member about Alzheimer’s. And our team members are always happy to answer questions about senior living or memory care. Call us at your convenience to learn more.

Alzheimer’s disease robs people of so much: their cognitive health, their memories, and often their ability to communicate. The emotional side of this journey can be frustrating and isolating for the older adult. It is also difficult for the loved ones who struggle to find ways to comfort and care for them. Creative arts may be a way to help.

Art therapy has become a powerful tool for stimulating the brain, expressing emotions, and for re-connecting with long lost memories. 

The Power of Art for Adults with Alzheimer’s

Adults who live with Alzheimer’s or a similar form of dementia can use the creative arts to express the emotions they can no longer use verbal skills to articulate. The very act of creating provides people with an opportunity to connect with their emotions and better understand what they are feeling and why.

Art can also be an avenue for calming the agitation and aggression that are common in people with dementia. Experts say art therapy works because it utilizes a different area of the brain than language skills draw from. This means people with Alzheimer’s and dementia are able to bypass damaged language centers and communicate in a different way. 

People are also able to connect with their subconscious memories through art.

Neuroscientists believe subconscious memories, known as procedural memory, remain intact longer. 

While art therapy can’t reverse the damage already caused by Alzheimer’s, experts hope to use what they’ve learned about its positive impact to find new ways to treat the disease. 

Alzheimer’s & Art Therapy Resources

If you are a family caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease there are several ways you can learn more about art therapy and explore ways to bring the creative arts in to your loved one’s daily life.

• I’m Still Here: The I’m Still Here Foundation has a mission of helping those living with Alzheimer’s express themselves. They share resources, news, and publications to help people learn more.
• Daily Caring: This award-winning site for caregivers shares ideas to make it easier for caregivers to introduce art projects in to their loved one’s day. 
• Pinterest: Another suggestion is to search Pinterest using the keywords “dementia art projects” and “Alzheimer’s art project.” You’ll find a variety of projects you can tackle together ranging from making pinecone trees to creating paper pumpkins.  

Remember, you don’t have to be an artist to help a loved one with Alzheimer’s tackle a creative project. The sense of accomplishment completing even a simple art project provides to people living with Alzheimer’s can increase self-esteem and lift their spirit. 

You will find residents in our Bridge to Rediscovery memory care programs engaged in art therapy projects almost every day.  Call us to today to learn more!
 

Imagine you’ve started experiencing problems recognizing people or completing tasks that have always been familiar to you: remembering loved ones’ names, how to get to the grocery store, or even how to write out a check. It feels like something is wrong, but you are afraid to admit that for fear of what might happen. Or imagine watching this scenario play out with your spouse of 40 or 50 years. You don’t want to be separated from each other so you find ways to hide their condition.

This is why older adults and their spouses may hide symptoms that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease or similar forms of dementia. If you suspect something is wrong with a parent or other loved one’s cognitive well-being, here are a few ways seniors often hide the symptoms.

Hiding the Signs and Symptoms of Memory Loss

1. Covering up: Out of fear and uncertainty, spouses often cover up what would otherwise be obvious signs of memory loss. They do this by providing verbal cues and hand gestures to their partner, talking over a spouse who isn’t making sense, or finishing the spouse’s sentences.
2. Self-isolating: Withdrawing from family, friends, hobbies, social groups, and even religious organizations is another step a senior or their spouse might take to hide the signs of dementia. By avoiding others, they believe they can keep people from discovering there is a problem.
3. Making excuses: Another method a senior or their spouse might use is to make excuses for their memory loss or confusion. They might attribute it to something like insomnia, a sinus infection, or a headache. Most of us can relate to being a little forgetful when we aren’t feeling our best, so this diversion might work for a while.
4. Giving up driving: An adult with early-stage Alzheimer’s might get lost going to and from familiar destinations. That can be frightening. To eliminate the risk of it happening again, they might give up driving. They may use an excuse such as other drivers are too aggressive or their car insurance is just too expensive.
5. Denying changes: A senior or their spouse might deny there is a problem. They may become angry or defensive if a loved one tries to broach the subject. In doing so, they are likely trying to make the concerned family member feel bad about suggesting there is a problem. The senior might think it will keep their friends and family from asking again.

In addition to the safety issues that might arise when a decline in a senior’s cognitive health is kept hidden is the fact that the disease will be more advanced when it is finally diagnosed. Sometimes that diagnosis comes as the result of an emergency, such as the senior wandering from home or the spouse ending up in the hospital from a stress-related condition. This forces the family to find a senior care solution amidst a crisis.

If an older adult in your life is living with Alzheimer’s, Five Star Senior Living can help. Our memory care neighborhoods provide a safe, supportive environment. Contact the Five Star community nearest you to schedule a tour to learn more!

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The holidays are a time when people like to entertain at home. In some families, these gatherings are a tradition that goes back many years. If a senior loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, however, entertaining can create new challenges.

You may be wondering if you can continue to host holiday gatherings while not jeopardizing a loved one’s safety or well-being.

Hosting Holiday Gatherings When a Senior Has Alzheimer’s Disease

Whether your loved one lives with you or is still living independently, these tips can help. You can allow the senior to feel connected and engaged without putting their safety at risk.

1. Plan around the senior’s best and worst times. Most adults with Alzheimer’s have times of day that are better—and worse—than others. Depending on the stage of their Alzheimer’s disease, you might find that mornings are best and evenings are worst. Think about what kind of entertaining you could do during your loved one’s best time of day. For example, if mid-day is their best time, consider hosting a Sunday brunch instead of an evening cocktail party or dinner. It might not be exactly as you’ve done it in the past, but adapting your plan will allow your loved one to participate. 
2. Keep decorations and changes to the home at a minimum. People with memory loss do best when their environment looks and feels familiar. While it might be tempting to go all out decorating before a holiday gathering, doing so can be confusing for your family member with Alzheimer’s. Try to keep the decorations and changes you make to the home in check, especially in the rooms where the senior spends most of their time. 
3. Limit your guest list this year. Loud, hectic parties can be overwhelming for an adult with Alzheimer’s or a similar form of dementia. The damage the disease causes to the brain makes processing such an environment very challenging. It can increase anxiety and agitation. Consider hosting a more intimate gathering this holiday season instead. If you explain the situation to loved ones who don’t make the cut, they are sure to understand. 
4. Inform guests ahead of time. Those closest to you may already know about your loved one’s situation but not be sure how to react. Others you haven’t seen in a while might not know about your family member’s diagnosis. As RSVPs from guests come back, let them know about the situation. It might also help to send them a few tips for communicating with your loved one and a few ideas for starting a conversation. 
5. Create a peaceful, quiet space. If the loved one who has Alzheimer’s lives with you, make sure their bedroom is set up and ready for them to retreat to if the party gets to be too much. If they don’t live with you, create a quiet space for them to relax. Have soft music ready to play and maybe a few calming activities set up, such as a basket of towels to fold or a family photo album to look through. You could also ask party guests to visit with your family member one-on-one in the quiet space. It can be a meaningful way to connect.

One final suggestion is to consider using respite care during the busy holiday season. Your senior loved one can be a guest at a senior living community for a few days to give you time to relax and celebrate the holidays. Respite guests can participate in all of the season’s festivities that take place at the community. Call the Five Star Senior Living community nearest you to learn more!
 

<!–[CDATA[As the average age of people in this country continues to climb, so do the number of adults diagnosed with dementia. While many of us are familiar with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, there are other forms of dementia that can be just as life altering.

If you are concerned that the changes you see in a senior you love might be caused by dementia, a quick review of the different types may help you decide if you need to seek medical advice.

7 Types of Dementia

1. Alzheimer’s disease: An estimated 5.7 million people in this country live with Alzheimer’s disease. This number is expected to rise to 14 million by the year 2050. A few of the most common symptoms include memory loss, a change in disposition, problems completing familiar tasks, difficulty speaking or writing, and confusion about place and time.
2. Vascular dementia: This is the most common form of dementia next to Alzheimer’s disease. It is caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain, often caused by a stroke or atherosclerosis. Symptoms are very similar to Alzheimer’s and include confusion and disorientation.
3. Pick’s disease: Also known as frontotemporal dementia, this form of the illness runs in families. It impacts the front and side portions of the brain that govern language and behavior. Classic symptoms include a loss of inhibition and using words incorrectly.
4. Parkinson’s dementia: About 70 percent of people who have Parkinson’s disease will develop dementia. While Parkinson’s dementia has symptoms in common with Alzheimer’s disease, there are differences. Unlike Alzheimer’s, which impairs memory and language, Parkinson’s dementia affects the speed of cognitive function. 
5. Dementia with Lewy bodies: The suicide of beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams helped shine the spotlight on this lesser-known form of dementia. About 1.4 million people in the United States live with this disease. It causes a variety of problems including hallucinations, fainting spells, sleep disorders, and more.
6. Huntington’s disease: This is another form of dementia with genetic links. There are two forms of it. One impacts juveniles and the other adults in their 30s and 40s. Some of the most frequent symptoms include jerking, attention deficit, trouble swallowing, and loss of impulse control.
7. Mixed dementia: A growing number of researchers think that people who are diagnosed with some type of dementia, likely have at least one other form of dementia as well. They believe Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia are the most common combination.

While many of these symptoms can be difficult to conceal, it is common for an older adult to try. If you suspect there is a problem your parent isn’t revealing, “How Seniors Hide Their Dementia Symptoms” is an article you might find helpful. It identifies common tactics older adults use to try to conceal symptoms. 

Please call the Five Star community nearest you if you have any questions about dementia or dementia care options for a loved one!
 

Are you shopping for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease this holiday season? Think beyond a comfy robe and slippers to gifts that may help improve your loved one’s symptoms. Or at least give them an engaging activity to enjoy this holiday season.

8 Holiday Gifts for Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease

1. Large Print Clock

Recommended by several experts, this Memory Loss Digital Calendar Day Clock features the time, day, and date in large type.

It helps eliminate one of the frustrations for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia: remembering what day it is.

2. Word Game Books

Simple word search books, including books tailored for those with Alzheimer’s, can help keep the brain sharp in the early stages of the disease.

3. Photos of Loved Ones

You can never go wrong with photos of loved ones in any format. A few ideas might be:

• Digital picture frame pre-loaded with family photos
• Custom calendar with a different photo of loved ones for each month
• Family photo albums
• Collage picture frames for their wall

Photos bring a sense of comfort and familiarity to people with Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Music

Similarly, music may comfort a person with dementia. Consider buying them a CD player or even an old-fashioned record player. You can help your loved one dig out their old vinyl collection and spend a day listening to the classics together.

If they don’t have their old albums anymore, you’re in luck. Because the format is making a comeback, they are now sold in many stores and online. Might even luck out at a local thrift store too!

5. Tangle Fidget Toys

Older adults in the later stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s often fidget. A lack of activity can cause agitation.

A number of “tangle fidget” toys give adults with dementia something to do with their hands. Look for one with various textures and bright colors for added stimulation.

Be aware: if your loved one puts objects in his or her mouth, choose a toy that has large pieces and doesn’t separate.

6. A Fidget Blanket

This idea combines two great gifts for seniors with dementia into one. A fidget blanket or fidget quilt has adornments of various shapes and textures. It provides tactile stimulation while giving your loved one something to fidget with.

You can find a number of fidget blankets and quilts for sale online, including custom-made quilts on Etsy.

You can also make your own. Create a custom fidget blanket by attaching sensory elements to a fleece blanket. Use ribbons, pillows, stuffed animals, and even feathers.

7. Tools for Knitting or Crocheting

If your loved one used to knit or crochet she may still be able to engage in this hobby with the right tools. Purchase large gauge knitting needles or crochet hooks and a collection of brightly colored, textured yarn for them to use.

The patterns may not be perfect, but your loved one will enjoy the experience. And don’t forget a pretty bag to hold their supplies and works-in-progress!

8. Simple Board Games

Simple games can be great for people with Alzheimer’s to enjoy with family members or with friends.

Look for games specifically designed for people with Alzheimer’s or turn to childhood favorites, such as matching games with brightly colored pictures.

Spending the Holidays with Your Loved One

Need even more ideas? Check out our Senior Gift Guide ebook.

Don’t put too much pressure on the occasion though. Long after gifts are forgotten, you will remember the time you spent with your aging loved one, so don’t stress about the presents.

Choose a few from this list and place them in a pretty gift bag for your senior loved one to open. Then focus on being in the moment as you spend the holidays with your aging loved one and other family members of all ages.

Visit a Memory Care Program Near You

Give your parent the gift of a quality memory care program. Find a Five Star Senior Living community near you to learn more!

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As America continues its love affair with dining out at restaurants, there’s no reason a senior with Alzheimer’s has to be left behind. Here’s how to include a senior loved one who has memory problems in your dining plans so they feel relaxed and at ease.

Where You Choose to Dine Matters

The best thing you can do for your senior loved one when dining out is to choose your restaurant wisely. That entails a little research before you go, but the effort will be worth it in several ways.

First, consider what makes your loved one upset and let that determine your choice of venue for the dining out experience.

Experts at the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program at the University of Waterloo suggest picking a small, quiet restaurant with few distractions. Crowded, busy places present too many distractions that can be distressing and lead to agitation for someone with Alzheimer’s.

Pre-Test the Menu

A small, quiet restaurant is a good start, but you’ll also want to research the menu. Just as a crowded location is confusing and overwhelming, a crowded, busy menu presents the same confused and overwhelmed feeling for people with dementia.

Limited menus are good. If you’ve ever dined out with someone who has Alzheimer’s, you may have noticed something peculiar about the way they order. Very often, when they’re presented with a confusing menu, they’ll simply give up and order whatever the person sitting next to them ordered.

Whether it’s because they have trouble remembering what they like, or they can’t recall what they chose from the menu, they’re embarrassed to reveal their problems. So they decide ordering what someone else is getting is the safest bet.

If the restaurant has a website, as many do these days, review the menu with your senior loved one at home. You can both decide what to order before you even get to the restaurant!

Reservations are in Order, Too

Anything that removes the uncertainty from the dining out experience will help. On that note, it’s a good idea to make a reservation.

The experts at the Murray Program also suggest that when you call, it’s a good idea to notify the hostess about your loved one’s memory problems. They may be better able to serve you and generally make the dining experience more pleasant for your loved one when they understand the challenges.

Try to Find a Familiar Environment

Your loved one, if he or she has memory issues, probably doesn’t like surprises. That translates to favoring known places over new environments. An old familiar restaurant can be comforting. Your loved one may even recognize menu items, making the outing go much better.

Stay Up-to-Date on What Your Loved One Likes to Eat

When people with dementia go to meals, even in everyday situations, they may face confusion and frustration simply because their tastes are changing. According to the National Institutes of Health, they may be dealing with diminishing senses of taste and smell, which as we all know, dramatically changes the experience of eating. Make sure the restaurant you have in mind for this outing serves food that your loved one likes.

Everything we’ve covered here is based on scientific observation as reported by reputable institutions. But only you know your loved one’s preferences and the progression of his or her disease. Use common sense, keep it simple, and do everything you can to promote comfort and ease while dining out with your senior loved one who has Alzheimer’s.

Have questions about Alzheimer’s care? Contact the Five Star Senior Living community closest to you for more information and to schedule a tour of our Bridge to Rediscovery program.

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<!–[CDATA[Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that can cause a person’s memory, thinking and reasoning skills to gradually deteriorate. Many of us are familiar with warning signs like memory loss and confusion. A number of additional early red flags include:

• Difficulty solving problems
• Trouble doing regular tasks
• Trouble retracing steps/losing things
• Poor judgment, especially with money
• Difficulty writing or speaking
• Withdraw from work/social activities

These symptoms are closely related to cognitive skills and are easier to tie to Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia.

But what if a loved one’s personality changes? Could that be a sign of Alzheimer’s or a related form of dementia?

Some personality changes that could be early signs of Alzheimer’s are:

• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Delusions

Newer research is exploring the connection between changes in personality and the likelihood of it being linked to Alzheimer’s.

New Alzheimer’s Research on Mild Behavioral Impairment

Neuropsychiatrists and Alzheimer’s experts recently conducted a study that resulted in a proposed new diagnosis called Mild Behavioral Impairment (MBI). It would serve as early detector of Alzheimer’s. This diagnosis would identify mood or behavioral changes in a person and whether or not it is an early sign of dementia.

The group shared their theory at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto in 2016. They presented a checklist of 34 questions family members could use to determine if a family member’s sudden personality change is a sign of early stage of Alzheimer’s.

These questions included:

• Do they have unrealistic beliefs about their power, wealth or skills?
• Do they no longer care about things?
• Have they become agitated, aggressive, irritable or temperamental?

Researchers believe if the answers to these questions are yes, and have been for months, the personality change could be cause for concern. Their thinking is that while Alzheimer’s is often seen as a memory disorder, it’s important to realize that the disease could also begin as a behavioral issue.

Unfortunately, as is true of many issues related to Alzheimer’s disease, there is no clear agreement on whether this is a legitimate diagnosis or not. More research will need to be conducted.

The one area where anyone who studies the disease can find common ground is to take a, “better than safe than sorry” approach when noticeable mental changes take place with a loved one. Ignoring any early signs of Alzheimer’s whether they’re cognitive or behavioral can delay early interventions that give seniors and their families the help and support they need.

If you notice a significant personality change in someone, and it’s been going on for a few months, it might be time to schedule a physical exam with their primary care physician. They can help you get to the bottom of what might be wrong. And the good news is it might be something treatable, such as an infection or a thyroid disorder.

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