Psychiatric Care or the Right Care?

Posted on by mikebarry123
young doctor comforting a sad senior man
By Galina Markovich Director, MMC In my 25 years of practice with geriatric populations suffering from dementia, I have learned that patience, proper timing of medications, close observation of immediate needs and an individualized approach are the keys to success in managing difficult cases of dementia. Families often ask me how we can manage 16 residents in one home, especially with so many having advanced dementia and exhibiting challenging behavior, when the family can’t even manage one ...
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Alzheimers Disease And Nutrition | Millennium Memory Care

Posted on by mikebarry123
Preparing Healthy Food
Good nutrition can be challenging for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Patients may lose track of mealtimes, skip meals or simply eat or drink less than they used to. They may forget how to use utensils, not recognize certain foods, have difficulty chewing and swallowing, or lose their appetites due to medications or diminishing enjoyment of food. Poor nutrition can lead to increased agitation, unhealthy weight loss, weakness, lowered immunity and dehydration. Making meals h...
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Effects Of Yoga On The Brain | Millennium Memory Care

Posted on by mikebarry123
Portrait of the senior woman meditating on the seashore
The ancient practice of yoga that originated in India thousands of years ago is becoming increasingly popular today. Many people understand yoga to be a series of physical poses that promote flexibility. But practitioners of the ancient art know that yoga also builds muscle strength and tone, and improves posture, alignment, blood circulation, breathing and joint health. And the benefits go beyond the physical workout. The mind-body approach of yoga incorporates breathing and meditation techniqu...
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Social Support For Dementia Patients | Millennium Memory Care

Posted on by mikebarry123
4 Friends at Monroe
According to new research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, public engagement and civic activity helps the memory center in aging brains maintain its size and in some cases even grow larger. This new research recently appeared in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association and was drawn from a study of a Baltimore based program that matches retirees with young people in public schools to act as reading mentors. At two years in length, this...
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Lifestyle Changes To Prevent Dementia | Millennium Memory Care

Posted on by mikebarry123
Senior Fitness Class
Alzheimer’s disease, along with other forms of dementia, is expected to affect more and more of us and our loved ones as our elderly population continues to increase in number. While some deterioration of memory or cognition is not unexpected with age, ongoing research into cognitive decline is providing evidence that certain lifestyle changes can significantly contribute to improved cognitive health and reduced risk of decline and dementia. With no treatments currently available to effectively ...
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Lifestyle, Positivity & Alzheimer’s

Posted on by mikebarry123
Activities in Freehold
Studies, opinions and conjecture about causes and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease are hardly in short supply. It seems that every week, there is suspicion of a new contributing cause to the increasing rates of Alzheimer’s and dementia. In the last several years, everything from processed foods to genetics has been named as contributing factors, yet there is very little information that is conclusive. And to date, there is no single thing that we can point to and say “This is a definite cau...
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Dementia Wandering Prevention | Millennium Memory Care

Posted on by mikebarry123
dementia wandering prevention
Of all the issues facing someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, perhaps the most dangerous is wandering. Understanding the potential warning signs of those at risk, the causes and preventative actions, can help keep your loved one safe.  There are five main reasons someone may wander.   Stress or fear. When someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is uncomfortable or does not understand what is happening around them, they might feel the need to flee and seek calm and familiarity.   Searchi...
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Sensory Stimulation | Millennium Memory Care

Posted on by mikebarry123
Ocean Gardening
As Alzheimer’s disease and dementia progress and cognitive abilities continue to decline, it becomes increasingly difficult to perform routine tasks. It also becomes harder to communicate and interact socially with others. This can be a stressful and isolating experience for the patient suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Sensory stimulation therapy can provide an engaging and enjoyable way to encourage interaction and emotional expression by invoking pleasant m...
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Dementia And Excessive Sleep

Posted on by mikebarry123
Sleeping Senior Couple
Sleep problems are often experienced by people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It is not entirely clear why this is such a common issue with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, but scientists believe that, along with memory and behavior changes, the impact of Alzheimer's on the brain can also affect sleep. This may result in less time in deep sleep and more time awake at night. Additional difficulties may include excessive sleepiness or agitation during the day and abnormal movements or brea...
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Challenges with Challenging Behaviors

Posted on by mikebarry123
Lonely senior man feeling very sad
By Galina Markovich Director, Millennium Memory Care Dementia care is becoming ever more needed in an increasing variety of settings including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, boarding homes, rehab centers and of course, in the homes of friends and neighbors. It is crucial to understand what the best care setting is for someone with behavioral dementia. In my support groups, I frequently meet caregivers who ask this very question. Many of them have already had experiences with f...
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