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The doctor told me that, “Dementia is the description for the changes we have all noticed.” These are sobering words are ones that elicit conversation between loved ones. The location could be an office where a counselor facilitates productive discussion. Or perhaps the best place is an informal one where coffee and cake create an atmosphere of comfort and connectedness. It’s hard to know where to begin. Some find it easiest to let the conversation gradually drift from the weather to the emotional and practical aspects of Dementia. Others prefer having the help of a counselor to guide productive exchange. People in the early stages of Dementia may be the one who initiates the discussion. He or she may start by addressing their fears of what they face as well as their distress of becoming a burden. He or she may have words to say about choosing the person who they hope will oversee their care as well as express the desire that Dementia does not create ill-will between family members. His or her thoughts about end-of-life care are another important topic. Here listening may be more important than discussion. Listen to what he or she has to say about advance directives, comfort (palliative) care, and hospice--the last stage of palliative care. Conversation among loved ones will undoubtedly include more immediate wishes such as enjoying time together, taking bucket-list adventures, and the challenge of the “things I have always wanted to do” list. This is the time to create memories. Sometimes families and same-sex couple and their families do not have the luxury of beginning a conversation with a diagnosis of early-stage Dementia. When this is the case, your loved one may still have the capability to listen and perhaps make comments. Be sure to acknowledge his or her presence and, as much as is possible, engage them in the discussion. Keep the Conversation Going Speaking with and among loved ones is an ongoing process. Events occur that require reassessment. Family dynamics may have deteriorated and should be addressed before they worsen. It may be time to talk about the conflicts between personal views about death and dying and your loved one’s advance directives. Or perhaps reassessment involves orchestrating a family gathering or a final adventure. It's so important to begin having the conversation early. Content Contributor: Janet Yagoda Shagam, Ph.D., is a freelance medical and science writer and the author of " An Unintended Journey: A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia.", available through Amazon. Please visit our Author's page to learn more and find this title. Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.

To some people, the phrase “knowledge is power” means learning the facts and talking to experts. Other people may feel the phrase describes mindfulness and self-determination. For the individuals and families for whom Dementia has entered their life, both interpretations are important. Learning about such things as the different types of Dementia, ways to slow progression and to overcome challenges, as well as navigating the spectrum of legal issues and quality-of-life wishes creates a sense of empowerment. This approach enables good decision-making as well as makes it easier to converse with physicians and other healthcare professionals. Internet research is a good place to start. Be sure to use keywords that give you a manageable number of hits. For example, the word “Dementia” alone reveals 4.9 million results. Using a string of words such as “Lewy body, behavior, and medication” will improve the usefulness of your internet fact-finding efforts. Determining the reliability of internet information is another issue. Government resources, such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Dementia-Information-Page ) are the location of the high-quality patient and family-centered information. University medical centers, such as the University of California, San Francisco, Memory, and Aging Center are another source of dependable information. ( http://memory.ucsf.edu ) Medline Plus, (National Library of Medicine) can direct you to add high-quality sites. ( https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/evaluatinghealthinformation.html ) Internet searches, though certainly an important aspect of your fact-gathering journey, cannot replace conversation. So, be sure to include a telephone in your arsenal of fact-finding tools. The local Agency on Aging, the Dementia Society of America, as well as nearby hospitals, university medical schools, and Veterans Health Administration hospitals, are examples of organizations where you will find experts. Use their webpage to find the contact information of the people best able to help you. Self-Knowledge Is Power Mindfulness and self-determination is another way to interpret “knowledge is power.” Here, rather than facts, the emphasis is on self-reflection. Self-reflection can be something as simple as setting aside a few quiet and quieting moments each day for contemplation. Acknowledge feelings such as anger, sadness, abandonment, and fear. Use your feelings both as an entryway to mindfulness as well as an incentive to discovering solutions to the challenges you face. Consider having a psychologist or a medical social worker guide you through this difficult period. Keeping a hand-written or word-processed diary is another tool. At the end of the day, perhaps just before going to bed, set aside a few moments to write. Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or creating the perfect sentence. Just write. Pour your heart out. Document the events that made your day especially good or unbelievably horrible. Be sure to review your diary writings from time to time. Doing so will help you see past mistakes, appreciate progress, or give important insight into the best next steps. Content Contributor: Janet Yagoda Shagam, Ph.D., is a freelance medical and science writer and the author of " An Unintended Journey: A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia.", available through Amazon. Please visit our Author's page to learn more and find this title. Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.

I cannot remember names or where I left the keys, people say I repeat myself and often seem confused. I must have Dementia. It’s easy to leap to conclusions but considerably more difficult to speak to your doctor about your concerns. You fear that stepping into your doctor’s office all but guarantees a diagnosis of Dementia. However, a thorough medical exam may uncover other reasons, such as a bladder infection or medications that can explain why you are sometimes forgetful or confused. Again, don’t jump to conclusions if your doctor suggests that you undergo further tests. Pause, take a deep breath and tell yourself that ruling out Dementia is not as easy as you may have assumed. At this point, your doctor may suggest that you get a second opinion from another physician or other kinds of healthcare professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating memory disorders. And remember, you don’t need your doctor’s permission to seek advice from other clinicians. A good doctor will welcome your efforts. Without question, what you are doing for yourself is scary. No, it’s worse than scary. It’s deep-down frightening. Take A Deep Breath. You don’t have to do this alone. A family member or a good friend can give the emotional support you need and, with your permission, can accompany you to your doctor appointments. In addition to the comfort of his or her presence, your family member or friend can be another set of ears (or your note taker) as you, in all probability, will be overwhelmed by a deluge of information. Sometimes the news isn’t good. But before you occupy a permanent seat on the couch and wait for the inevitable, take a moment and take a deep breath. There are medications, as well as participation in activities such as dancing, yoga, and tai chi, that can slow the progression of dementia. Keep in mind, there is a lot of good living ahead of you. Indulge, be active, do what gives you pleasure, and have good times with family and friends. Cherish the little things that enrich your life as well as the lives of others. This is a time to create memories. Content Contributor: Janet Yagoda Shagam, Ph.D., is a freelance medical and science writer and the author of " An Unintended Journey: A Caregiver's Guide to Dementia.", available through Amazon. Please visit our Author's page to learn more and find this title. Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.

There are virtually hundreds of different breathing exercises with different purposes and outcomes. However, there is a simple, foundational breathing exercise that you can do each day to help your brain work better. This is particularly helpful for people that are not getting enough oxygen to their brains. Decreased oxygen levels have a serious impact on the brain. When we breathe normally, we typically inhale and exhale at a 1 to 1 ratio; meaning, for every second we breathe in, we breathe out for a count of 1 (e.g. 5 seconds in, 5 seconds out). When this happens we’re not really holding the air in our lungs for a significant length of time. This means there isn’t sufficient transfer of air to oxygen in the lungs, which limits the amount of oxygen in our bloodstream available to the brain. During this breathing exercise, you breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. When doing this make sure you’re sitting comfortably, or you could even be lying on your back. Don’t slouch, as you won’t be able to take in the maximum volume of air. You want to be able to feel your abdomen rise and fall. The rate of breathing for this exercise happens at a 1 to 2 ratio. When you inhale, that breath going in should take around 4 to 5 seconds. Don’t hold your breath. Tighten your lips a little bit as you breathe out, which will slow it down to take about twice as long, or 8 to 10 seconds. You could time this with a stopwatch or do it roughly by keeping track in your own mind. The key is to make sure that you’re breathing out longer than you’re breathing in. This exercise can increase oxygen levels in the bloodstream within 30 seconds to a minute after beginning. You can do this exercise throughout the course of the day. Each time try to do ten breaths. As you do this you will start to effectively train the brain to take in that breath, and retain it a little longer as you breathe out. This improves oxygen levels far better than just breathing to breathe. Oxygen Is The Secret! Breathing is something we need to do, so it’s something that we should do well. This is particularly important at certain times of the day when the brain might be lacking from an energy standpoint. This exercise can help raise your energy levels without having to resort to sugar, caffeine, or some other type of stimulant. It’s important to reinforce that in this particular exercise you don’t actually hold your breath! In fact, there might be some instances where someone has a medical problem where holding their breath could cause them to pass out. This exercise is about breathing in and immediately out. As your breathing becomes more efficient you can begin to explore more advanced breathing techniques. Remember: oxygen is the secret! Contributor Author: Dr. Michael Trayford is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Founder of APEX Brain Centers in Asheville, NC. For additional information, and to learn more, please visit our Author's page. Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.

Organization is important for several different reasons. When you stop to think about it, the opposite of organization is chaos and chaos is synonymous with stress. When we look at the pillars of effective brain training, cognitive, physical, metabolic, and lifestyle factors, we see how stress relates directly to lifestyle factors. Many of these come with at least some level of personal control. Organization is an important factor for managing stress and making sure your brain experiences as little unnecessary distraction as possible. If you’re living by the seat of your pants and organizing your day with countless post-it notes or digital notes, it can bog you down. Also, when you’re not accomplishing things it gives you a sense of fear and worry, because you’re not completely doing the things you feel you are supposed to be doing. A lack of organization can be a significant challenge in your life. Simply crossing things off of your to-do list doesn’t mean that you are organized. To a certain degree, it might make more sense to sit down and write a 'to-not-do list'. Sometimes you can look at your current to-do list and find things that have been on there for months, if not years. If you’re not doing those things, then it probably means they are not all that important. Stop The Chaos! Getting control of your thoughts and energies by having a to-not-do list can actually be quite liberating. It can even start to eliminate some of the fear and worry that comes from not getting everything done. There is a great deal of research that shows us how fear and worry are the two most damaging emotions to the human brain. They contribute to the production of significant amounts of stress hormones. These hormones circulate through the body and can actually cause damage to certain parts of the brain that allow us to learn. They can even damage connections that have been made in the brain. The more we do to eliminate those two emotions, the better off our brains will be. Some people might find that taking 10 or 15 minutes on Sunday evenings, to organize their week, can be incredibly powerful. You don’t have to go into minute detail. Simply prioritizing and putting your top tasks for the week in order can take a great deal of stress out of the week ahead. It can also help you think better, sleep better and interact more efficiently with friends, family, and coworkers. Contributor Author: Dr. Michael Trayford is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Founder of APEX Brain Centers in Asheville, NC. For additional information, and to learn more, please visit our Author's page. Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.

To The One I Love, I Will Not Miss You When you walk in the door, I will not know who you are. The familiar features of your face, I will not know. Your gentle hand upon my brow will be awkward. Your voice will be strange, but only to my ears. Please try and console my fears. As soon as your gentle touch reaches my heart, my heart will know who you are. Because only my thoughts are confused, my heart is and always will be true to you. Dementia is only in my thoughts, it cannot touch the memories in my heart. Please show me the pictures of our life together. Help control the fears that are only in my thoughts. My thoughts will not miss you, my heart will cry in pain. Help me now with love, pictures, and recordings of us. For soon Dementia will be my only master. And I will not miss you. Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.

Obviously a play on words that we coined, to help folks quickly understand that there's more to know about Dementia than most people think they know. It's like anything else, if you scratch just below the surface of any subject, you begin to understand that there's a whole world of knowledge just waiting to wade through. Sharing Useful Dementia Information This blog (short for weblog; see, you learned something already) will be attended to like a year-round garden: figure out what veggies you want and when you want them; create some space for planting, a great deal of ongoing nourishment; a basket full of tender love and care; and behold, after a while, there are fruits to thy labors. We will attempt to share some of our knowledge and experiences in life caring for, and about, those with Dementia. As comedian George Carlin said, "brain droppings." Plus there'll be some bits and pieces of wisdom we've harvested from all of those that have gone before us down this rocky, but awesomely challenging path. #dementia #alzheimers #caregiving #dementiasociety Welcome... Kevin President & Founder Chairman of the Board Dementia Society of America Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.

Eliminating technology from the bedroom is a very important topic we can talk about at great length about. Suffice it to say, all of our gadgets and technology addictions are posing a significant threat to our brain and body health. The biggest reason we know of relates to the effects of artificial lights on our brains. This is particularly true for laptops, tablets, and handheld devices. Research has found that LED lighting is suggestive to the brain. The blue light emitted by these types of devices simulates the light outdoors. This means you could be on your tablet, in bed, at ten o’clock at night and the blue light is telling your brain that it’s light outside. The human sleep-wake cycle is based on our relationship to the natural light in our environment. When we are artificially inducing daylight through the use of these devices, particularly at night, the brain gets very confused. Hormones such as cortisol are produced and start to circulate through the bloodstream causing a more alert state. This also causes the body to lack certain hormones (i.e. melatonin) that are naturally supposed to be present before sleeping. Of course, this isn’t just about smartphones and tablets. This also extends to other electronic devices like televisions and stimulation from radios. All devices should be taken into consideration as it’s not just that blue light tricking the brain into thinking it’s light outside. Other types of stimulation disrupt sleep/wake cycles. Simple things like anticipating a text message, email, or phone calls create a sense of anticipation that stimulates the brain, making it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. At the same time, there is also a concern that EMF, or electromagnetic field, waves can have a negative impact on the brain. Timeout in the Bedroom! All of these electronic devices need to be turned off and left in places outside of the bedroom; in the kitchen or wherever they will be used first thing the next morning. This is critically important training for children as all they know is technology and boundaries are becoming less clearly defined as time progresses. The bottom line is that it’s just not good to sleep hygiene to have these electronic devices in your bedroom. Give yourself a timeout! Contributor Author: Dr. Michael Trayford is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Founder of APEX Brain Centers in Asheville, NC. For additional information, and to learn more, please visit our Author's page. Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.

Kevin Jameson Presenting at Inaugural Dance Against Dementia Event in 2013 | Warrington, PA Dateline: December 1, 2014 Press Release: PR.com Dementia Society of America, led by Kevin Jameson, is a nonprofit organization that serves the Dementia community. Jameson announced recently that four new members have been selected to serve on the organization’s Board of Directors. The new members include a retired educator, a marketing professional, a journalist, and a video and social media expert. The new board members were installed as of October 1, 2014. Their terms will last through December 31, 2015. Blaine Greenfield, Professor Emeritus Blaine Greenfield taught college courses for over 35 years and headed his own marketing firm that assisted small- and mid-sized businesses. Six years ago, he took a new job title: “Rewirement” Expert-in-Training. As such, he continues to teach part-time and is active in several community organizations, including SCORE, SART, and Lessons in Leadership. And he publishes an online newsletter, BLAINESWORLD. Blaine now resides in Asheville, North Carolina. Patrick and Peggie Walsh Patrick Walsh, along with his wife and long-time business partner in The Walsh Group, Peggie Walsh, has experienced the role of family Dementia-caregiver and has been a stalwart advocate for person-centered care, alternative therapies, and the role that a positive mental attitude can play within the entire Dementia community. Pat is a professional web strategist and tracks everything to prove an effective return on investment. Mr. Walsh is marketing counsel to multiple nonprofits. Sandy DeHaven Sandy DeHaven has more than 35 years of experience in writing and public relations, working recently for newspapers and online news services. During her news tenure, she earned a handful of Keystone Press Awards presented by the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. Sandy knows first-hand the challenges and opportunities Dementia can present to families, friends, and co-workers. Tony Martin Tony Martin travels the United States and beyond as a Fortune 500 corporate marketing professional specializing in social media, video production, and editing. Tony graduated from New Jersey City University in Jersey City, New Jersey, and from the Mason Gross School of the Arts. Despite his tens of thousands of devoted Twitter followers and YouTube viewers, he keeps his perspectives on what life is all about... helping others and making a difference in the world. Tony seeks to introduce the up-and-coming generations to Know Dementia®! He lives in the New York City metro area. Kevin Jameson and the Dementia Society Makes Education the Mission   The mission of the Dementia Society of America (DSA) is to educate and raise awareness of the broad spectrum of conditions collectively known as Dementia. Many healthcare professionals and policymakers see Dementia as a growing worldwide epidemic. Represented Dementias include Alzheimer's Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, Vascular Dementia, Dementia resulting from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and many others. Those Facing Dementia Epidemic Need Support DSA provides non-medical materials and resources, and encourages those who provide exemplary Dementia caregiving, counseling, support, and engagement. DSA promotes those who develop prevention initiatives, create innovative products, services, and solutions. DSA also seeks to support programs regularly within continuing care communities and in public Dementia-friendly forums that emphasize meaningful therapies for those living with Dementia and their caregivers, such as music and singing, dance and movement, the visual arts, touch, and sensory stimulation. You can learn more at www.dementiasociety.org . Disclaimer: Dementia Society of America (DSA) provides educational content only and does not offer medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your medical care. DSA content is created by both human and computer-generated means and is reviewed for accuracy; however, errors may occur. Views expressed by third-party contributors do not necessarily reflect those of DSA. Unless expressly stated, DSA does not endorse or guarantee any third-party products, services, organizations, or external content. All DSA content is copyrighted and/or trademarked and may not be used without written permission.