Memory care

Alzheimer’s Association uses solstice to bring light to dementias

The summer solstice is more than a change of seasons. It’s a chance to raise money and awareness for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias as well as honor caregivers, for whom every day can feel like the longest day.  Read More »

And the 2016 OPTIMA Award winner is…

The judges give the 2016 OPTIMA Award to the Texas State Veterans Homes for its groundbreaking program examining the relationship of military post-traumatic stress to behaviors and dementia and its training program for caregivers. The program is in place at the organization's eight sites across the state.    Read More »

Drug study: Controlling PBA in dementia

New data supports the use of the drug NUDEXTA to treat pseudobulbar affect (PBA), a condition found in those with brain injuries, neurological damage from stroke or dementia and certain neuromuscular diseases. Read More »

Medicare could cover comprehensive Alzheimer’s care plan

Congressional subcommittees have proposed changes to the Social Security Act to cover an initial care plan for Medicare beneficiaries newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to help them understand the disease and treatment options. Read More »

Connecting nursing home staff with clinicians to reduce antipsychotic use

A new study found residents with Alzheimer’s disease were less likely to be restrained or medicated at nursing homes where frontline staff spoke regularly with memory care specialists, suggesting quality outcomes can improve with expert intervention.  Read More »

Senate proposes $400M increase for dementia research

The Senate announced a proposal $400 million increase in Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health, surpassing a record increase of $350 million in 2015. Read More »

Immune cells may protect against Alzheimer’s

New research has found that clusters of immune cells may reduce amyloid plaque formation, thereby reducing the damaging effects of Alzheimer’s disease.  Read More »

Play a mobile game to advance Alzheimer’s research

The new mobile game Sea Hero Quest asks players to help a grown son recover his father’s memories lost to Alzheimer’s disease. Data collected from the game will help scientists study spatial navigation.  Read More »

Common heart medication could be effective Alzheimer’s treatment

Researchers found mice taking the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel saw a decrease in plaque buildup in blood vessels and in deep structures of the brain, suggesting a possible new drug treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.   Read More »

How dementia affects communication

Cognitive decline changes how people hear, speak, think and interpret. Caregivers and families may be able to improve communication with those who have dementia if they remember these tips.  Read More »

A $10M investment in memory loss treatments

Two foundations have partnered to advance drug discovery, clinical trials and drug repurposing for effective treatment of frontotemporal degeneration and other neurodegenerative diseases.  Read More »

Maria Shriver hosts exercise fundraiser for Alzheimer’s

Maria Shriver has launched a new initiative, the MOVE FOR MINDS experience, to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s research while also promoting a healthy lifestyle, which has been shown to improve brain health.  Read More »

The story of mental decline

If you had the beginning stages of dementia, would you want to know? SNF resident blogger Kathleen mears weighs whether ignorance is bliss. Read More »

Tailored rehabilitation therapy for dementia

What happens when someone with dementia needs physical or occupational therapy? Phoebe Ministries is applying neurocognitive engagement to its physical, occupational and speech therapy programs to improve outcomes for residents with cognitive impairment. Read More »

Alzheimer’s Association funds drug study for inherited, young-onset disease

Catching dementia early matters—especially with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, where time is life. Read More »

Anthem Memory Care expands into Kansas

The memory care provider adds a new market to its portfolio through the acquisition of two communities in the heartland. Read More »

TBI and dementia

Does a person with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) have an increased chance of developing dementia in later years? Researchers are building a massive database to study the risks. Read More »

Buzzfeed gets serious about Alzheimer’s disease

Click all the crying emoji and GIFs for this serious Buzzfeed production about loving someone with Alzheimer’s disease. The film is a departure from the company’s addicting quizzes, life hacks and lighthearted videos.  Read More »

FDA approves first drug for Parkinson’s psychosis

People with Parkinson's disease may get a new lease on life as the FDA fast-tracks a new treatment to curb the psychotic hallucinations that often accompany the disease. Read More »

Studying the brain on the MIND diet

The National Institute of Aging is funding a study to see whether the Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet is an effective strategy to slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.   Read More »

Protein injection ‘promising’ as new Alzheimer’s treatment

Researchers have discovered a protein that can "digest plaque" and reverse cognitive decline in mice. But how do we translate the idea to humans? Read More »

Seniors tell their stories to ward off memory loss

Older Americans say it's important to maintain or improve brain health. The Administration for Community Living, in partnership with Oakland, Calif.-based Statebridge senior theatre company, is helping seniors take center stage and share their stories.  Read More »

2016 Leaders of Tomorrow: Awa Diouf

In our fourth installment of the Leaders of Tomorrow award winners, Awa Diouf is leading the culture change in memory care activities programming at The Residence at Watertown in Watertown, Mass.  Read More »

AL, memory care costs keep rising, especially in South

Seniors can expect to pay $99 to $125 per month more for assisted living and memory care compared to 2014, especially in the Southern states. Read More »

Advanced dementia doesn’t lead to more ED visits, study shows

Residents with mild or no dementia are more likely to make a trip to the emergency department than residents with severe dementia, says a new study by the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University Center for Aging Research. Read More »

Arizona State University to build CCRC on campus

The university wants to build a continuing care retirement community on campus. The CCRC could appeal to the roughly 30,000 alumni age 65 and up dwelling in Arizona who want to relive their college years. Only, this time class is optional.  Read More »

Light therapy helps people with dementia sleep

A pilot study by Ecumen found residents exposed to bright lights for at least 30 minutes a day had fewer sleep disturbances, behavioral episodes and needed less antipsychotic medication—all without any adverse side effects to the light.  Read More »

Older women have less cognition loss—and less quickly—than men

Researchers examined the effects of aging on cognitive functioning. They found normal age-related memory and cognition decline may occur at an earlier age and at a faster rate in healthy older men compared to healthy older women.   Read More »