The facts about Alzheimer’s Disease are staggering:

• 5.3 Million people have Alzheimer’s.
• It is the 7th leading cause of death.
• Alzheimer’s consumes 172 billion dollars in annual costs.
• There are 10.9 million unpaid caregivers assisting someone with Alzheimer’s Disease. (source: Alzheimer’s Association Website)

Tuesday, September 21st is World Alzheimer’s Day, a day set aside each year to raise awareness around the globe about this debilatating disease. This year’s theme is: Dementia, It’s Time For Action since Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It accounts for 60-80 percent of cases of…

Caregivers have a lot on their plate, and it can be very challenging balancing caregiving responsibilities while taking care of their own lives and families. Some people with Alzheimer’s Disease may exhibit wandering behaviors and that adds even more challenges to keeping loved ones safe and healthy. Some may attempt to leave their safe environments without supervision or may get lost while out in the community unattended.

At our center, we have a Wanderguard program for memory impaired seniors to help prevent wandering. The Alzheimer’s Association has a Safe Return Program…

For many seniors with dementia, summer can bring a change in “sundowning” patterns that present behavioral and emotional challenges for family caregivers. People with dementia can experience confusion, restlessness and anxiety late in the day, and they often become disoriented, hungry, tired, or uncomfortable in a variety of ways. For family caregivers, a loved one who is sundowning can be particularly stressful and difficult to manage.

The causes of sundowning are not known, but scientists think the condition may relate to a lack of sensory stimulation after dark when lights inside…