Alzheimer’s/Dementia

A resident’s long battle with Alzheimer’s

Larry was a former operator of nursing homes and faced his own fight with Alzheimer's. His family demonstrated commitment, patience and love in caring for him and chose to not have him live in one of the homes he had run. Read More »

Leaders of Tomorrow: Govind Bharwani, PhD

Congratulations to the second of five Leaders of Tomorrow award winners profiled this week: Govind Bharwani, PhD, director of nursing ergonomics and Alzheimer's care, Nursing Institute of West Central Ohio, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. Read More »

No need to die for Alzheimer’s diagnosis?

Until now, the only absolute diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was by autopsy. Is PET Amyloid Imaging, which can detect beta-amyloid neuritic plaques in the living brain, a potential screening or diagnostic tool for the future? Read More »

Report declares dementia a global public health crisis

According to research, the number of people living with dementia worldwide, estimated at 35.6 million in 2010, is set to nearly double every 20 years, reaching 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050. Read More »

One-on-one with Loren B. Shook

What should LTC developers know about operational and business challenges when it comes to memory care? And what do they need to know about developments on the regulatory front? Loren B. Shook, president and CEO of Silverado Senior Living, weighs in on these questions in an exclusive interview. Read More »

Alzheimer’s research funding questioned

A senator says that while he supports Alzheimer’s research, "this $80 million isn’t happening," referring to funding President Obama proposed earlier this year. Read More »

Study: Bilingualism wards off symptoms of dementia

Researchers said the bilingual mind’s need to monitor two languages in order to select the appropriate language recruits brain regions that are critical for general attention and cognitive control. Read More »

CMS nursing home initiative to address behavioral health, use of antipsychotics

Thursday’s event, to be streamed live on the Internet, will provide an overview of the national initiative, resources for technical assistance and plans for upcoming education offerings. Read More »

Hospitalization may contribute to cognitive decline in elderly

A new study found that hospitalization of older adults was associated with increased memory and thinking problems. Read More »

Innovative music therapies engage seniors

It's not just background music anymore. Creatively incorporating music into the lives of seniors offers the therapeutic benefits of social engagement, memory enhancement, light exercise and more. Read More »

Researchers link Alzheimer’s and diabetes

Emerging research suggesting that Alzheimer's disease may be linked to insulin resistance and could eventually be considered a third type of diabetes was supported by two new articles. Read More »

Memory loss, falls top health concerns of older men

More than half of respondents to a Canadian health survey of men aged 55 to 97 fear ailments that would risk compromising independence and quality of life. Read More »

Study shows Alzheimer’s treatment in late stages slows disease progression

The drug denepezil, used for the treatment of dementia and mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, may help patients with more severe cases as well. Read More »

Alzheimer’s to cost U.S. $200 billion in 2012

The total cost of caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia includes $140 billion paid by Medicare and Medicaid, according to “2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.” Read More »

Study: Antipsychotics increase mortality in nursing home residents with dementia

Patients treated with haloperidol had double the risk of death compared with those taking risperidone, while those taking quetiapine had a reduced risk, researchers said. Read More »

HHS releases draft plan to address Alzheimer’s

A draft national plan to address Alzheimer’s disease presents action steps to accelerate research together with proposals for improving care and services. Read More »

Minn. police subdue nursing home resident with Taser

Officers attempted to communicate with the man, who had stabbed a female employee in the chest with a pen, but he was unresponsive to their requests and became confrontational. Read More »

Alzheimer’s drug could cause adverse side effects

A study suggests that the drugs could cause neurons to be miswired and interfere with their ability to send messages to the brain. Read More »

Confronting Alzheimer’s head on—with courage and support

Singer Glen Campbell’s matter-of-fact acceptance of and willingness to share his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease illustrates the strides that advocates have made in fighting the stigma of shame that surrounds the insidious disease. Read More »

Cancer drug ‘quickly reverses’ Alzheimer’s symptoms

Neuroscientists at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland are reporting a huge breakthrough in the effort of finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Read More »

Obama promises $156 million to fight Alzheimer’s, support caregivers

As many as 5.1 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer’s, a number that could double by 2050, according to HHS. Read More »

Helping families hold on to loved ones with Alzheimer’s

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, the emotions have a ripple effect throughout the family. While helping the resident cope with his or her losses, it’s time to encourage and support those who hold the person dear. Read More »

Wandering residents and sleepless nights

I convinced Daniel to leave but he returned partially clothed and tried to touch me. Luckily, I was able to talk him out of his advances, because I am unable to physically push him away. Read More »

Alzheimer’s may spread by ‘jumping’ through brain regions, study finds

The question has been whether Alzheimer’s starts at independent regions of the brain at different times, or if it spread to neuroanatomically connected areas. Read More »

Music works magic for seniors

Not just for groups, music therapy using MP3 and iPod devices can enable playlist to be customized to the individual resident for a more meaningful experience Read More »

Mild cognitive impairment common in elderly, Mayo Clinic finds

The condition appears to affect men and those who only have a high school education more than women and those who have completed some higher education, the Mayo Clinic found. Read More »

Delivering a successful model of memory care

With 91 people on its wait list, the word has spread that Silverado San Juan Capistrano, Calif., is doing some very good things in its community. And, as its proponents maintain, getting Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t have to mean the end of living—for residents or their loved ones. Read More »

HHS drafts strategic national plan for addressing Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer’s Association said in a statement that the HHS draft “highlights many solutions” and is a “significant marker” in the process of addressing the disease. Read More »

Nicotine patch improves mild cognitive impairment, study finds

While the study’s authors noted that nicotine stimulates receptors in the brain that are important for thinking and memory skills, they cautioned against unsupervised use of the substance. Read More »

Remembering Alzheimer’s

Job’s Way is Kirby Pines Retirement Community's award-winning Alzheimer’s and dementia residence—winner of more than six national and international awards. The unique circular facility is designed to minimize confusion and frustration as residents move about during their daily activities. Read More »