Memory care

Researchers trace origins of Yarumal’s curse

Much research has been conducted on the residents of Yarumal, Colombia, which has the world’s largest population of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Now researchers have traced descendants to identify the origins of the rare gene mutation for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

Amyloid protein buildup could account for memory loss

Researchers have found the accumulation of vascular amyloid plaques along blood vessels could disrupt blood flow in the brain. They could also account for some of the neural degeneration and memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

PBA and antipsychotic meds in SNFs: No laughing matter

Nursing home residents with symptoms of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) are twice as likely to receive antipsychotic medications in off-label mode, a new study shows. Read More »

Rising acuity, changing LTC needs in Canada

Caring for residents with growing complexities and chronic care requirements isn't an isolated event; Canadians are experiencing much the same trends, notes a new Ontario Long-Term Care Association report. Read More »

Leg strength associated with brain health in older women

Researchers found older women with strong legs had better cognition, suggesting leg power can be used to predict cognitive ageing in women.  Read More »

Brain fitness program improved cognition and brain size

A multidisciplinary study of seniors with mild cognitive impairment not caused by Alzheimer’s disease was found to improve cognition and reverse hippocampal atrophy through a 12-week program. Read More »

Two-thirds of Alzheimer’s disease cases attributed to 9 risk factors

A comprehensive review of past Alzheimer's disease research identifies nine strong risk factors. Some of those risks are modifiable, suggesting preventative treatments could reduce disease onset. Read More »

Music meets physical therapy

Music may soothe the soul, but a New York nursing home shows that combining music with physical therapy is very good for the body and the cognitively declining mind, too. Read More »

University of South Carolina establishes aging institute

The University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health received a $7 million endowment to focus on health concerns for young children and older adults. Read More »

Cancer drug may help treat advanced Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia

An FDA-approved drug for leukemia improved cognition, motor skills and non-motor function in patients with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia in a small phase 1 clinical trial. The drug, nilotinib, led to statistically significant changes in toxic proteins linked to disease progression. Read More »

Online video training for senior caregivers

A San Antonio, Texas, company is seeing its senior caregiver tools getting national play. Read More »

Women with Alzheimer’s disease saw no cognitive benefit taking raloxifene

Researchers found raloxifene did not improve cognition for women with late-onset mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The selective estrogen receptor modulator has been reported to improve verbal memory in older women without dementia. Read More »

Tracking Alzheimer’s-associated protein tangles spread through the brain

New research tracks how a rare version of the tau protein moves from neuron to neuron as the disease progresses through the brain. Read More »

Unidine gives memory care patients nutritious, delicious and bite-sized food to chew on

The company announces a 2016 launch for new line of cuisine prepared specifically for memory care residents. Read More »

Study: Extended use of Alzheimer’s drug could delay move to nursing home

Extending the use of Alzheimer's drug donepezil has been found to reduce a person's likelihood of moving into a nursing home. Read More »

Widow says Robin Williams lived with Lewy Body Dementia

More than a year after his suicide, Robin Williams' widow opens up about the actor's struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. Read More »

Brookdale appoints new COO, CFO

Executive leadership changes continue to be made at Brookdale Senior Living, the nation's largest senior living provider. Read More »

Lower cholesterol levels, lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Study finds relationship between gene variation and increased risk factor for cognitive decline, particularly among people with high cholesterol and heart disease. Read More »

New video training solution designed to improve cognitive abilities

The Functional Brain Trainer is the first adaptive motion-interaction brain training platform. Read More »

Dementia healthcare costs greater than any other disease

Healthcare costs associated with dementia are 57 percent greater than costs associated with any other disease, including cancer. Read More »

Low vitamin D levels a dementia risk factor for darker-skinned individuals

Researchers found participants with low vitamin D levels experienced cognitive decline at a rate three times faster than those with adequate vitamin D levels, a concern because darker-skinned people have more difficulty absorbing the vitamin naturally from the sun and were found to have lower dietary intake.  Read More »

Robotic pets are beneficial to people with dementia

They don’t shed. make you sneeze or scratch, but robotic pets provide ongoing benefits to individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Read More »

HHS Alzheimer’s Advisory Council welcomes six new members

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care and Services announced its new members this week. The council advises the HHS secretary on federal programs for people who have Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Read More »

Pain management and dementia

Delivering person-centered dementia care includes thinking outside the (pill) box and finding new ways to assess and address pain. Read More »

UPMC honors leader in senior mental health

One of the nation’s most respected universities for geriatric medicine honors a champion of senior mental health and brain wellness. Read More »

Cancer drug could reverse Parkinson’s and dementia

A drug that has already been approved to treat leukemia has been found to dramatically reduce symptoms of Parkinson's and dementia. Read More »

Reexamine elopement risk assessments

Your answers to five questions may reveal that your program is missing key risk factors in keeping your residents safe from wandering. Read More »

Quality memory care visits

Visiting relatives with dementia can be especially difficult for families, but caregivers can guide families toward more productive ways to interact with their loved ones. Read More »

Blue light benefits people with Alzheimer’s disease

Low flat lighting in nursing homes and assisted living communities reduces the brain’s ability to process light in people suffering with Alzheimer’s disease. Read More »

What is the most common misconception about dementia?

After reviewing 40 research articles from 15 different countries, researchers found that the general public has a limited understanding of dementia.  Read More »