Respite Care For Caregivers | Millennium Memory Care

Male-Senior-with-Daughter
Being a caregiver to someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s can be extremely rewarding. It can also be incredibly stressful. But many caregivers hesitate to admit they need help. Often, caregivers of an elderly parent or spouse hide their depression, frustration, and feelings of being overwhelmed. It doesn’t have to be this way.  It is normal to both want to take care of a loved one, yet still face exhaustion and the need to take a break. This does not indicate failure or lack of commitment. I...
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Air Pollution And Alzheimer’s Disease | Millennium Memory Care

Smokestacks
It is well understood that exposure to industrial pollutants can lead to a number of negative health effects, which can range from mild irritation to asthma and other more severe respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Now new research from the United Kingdom and Mexico has uncovered a possible link between neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and the presence in the brain of a magnetic iron oxide compound called magnetite. Magnetite, a common industrial air pollutant release...
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Smell Test For Dementia | Millennium Memory Care

Happy Seniors wheelchair and nurse
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine have found that using a simple “sniff test” could boost the accuracy of diagnosing cognitive impairment. Scientists are already aware that individuals in early stages of Alzheimer’s find their sense of smell quickly deteriorates. Researchers found that when administering standard cognitive tests, adding a sniff test in which subjects must try to identify different odors, increases the accuracy of diagnosing mild cogni...
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Early Onset Alzheimers | Millennium Memory Care

Brain Electricity Graphic
We typically view Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia as a condition affecting older people. This is generally true. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, of the over 5 million people in the United States affected by Alzheimer’s disease, about 95% are 65 years and older. But this means that nearly 5% of people with Alzheimer’s are diagnosed at a younger age, in their 50s, 40s and, sometimes, even in their 30s. This is known as younger- or early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and it...
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Exercise Improves Memory | Millennium Memory Care

Couple Running with Dog
It is no secret that exercise has many benefits for both physical and mental well-being, and doctors have long been touting the value of aerobic exercise for both cardiovascular and brain health. Aerobic exercise has been shown to keep cognitive abilities from declining and reducing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Regular exercise is often credited with relieving stress, reducing risk of stroke, lowering blood sugar and improving balance and coordination. Scientists have also suggested that...
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Hearing Loss And Dementia New Insights | Millennium Memory Care

Woman and Hearing Aid
A slow loss of hearing ability is generally viewed as a normal and accepted part of aging. It is an unfortunate reality many of us will face as we get older. About two-thirds of Americans experience some hearing loss by the time they reach their 70s. It is perceived to be so inevitable that many do not seek any treatment or remedy for hearing loss. In fact, less than 15-20 percent of people diagnosed with hearing loss even use hearing aids. However, research is now increasingly pointing to li...
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How To Explain Dementia To A Child | Millennium Memory Care

Little boy telling a secret to his great grandmother
Dealing with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is a challenge for both the patient and their loved ones. But even as you and your loved ones learn to come to terms with the diagnosis, don’t forget to keep the children in your life involved. While you may feel an impulse to protect children from the situation, trying to hide the truth could make things worse. Children are often keenly aware when adults around them are experiencing difficulty or stress. If they don’t understand the...
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Alzheimers Progression | Millennium Memory Care

Senior with caregiver
With Alzheimer’s disease now afflicting more than 5 million Americans, most people are familiar with the common characteristics of the disease which can begin as mild forgetfulness and progress to more serious symptoms such as difficulty with thinking, loss of language skills, mental confusion and severe memory loss. But a good deal of misunderstanding about the disease persists, including what causes the mental decline and how the brain is affected as Alzheimer’s progresses. Scientists st...
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Alzheimers Disease Stages | Millennium Memory Care

Brain with EKG Line
When an aging loved one starts getting forgetful, misplacing things or repeating questions, you might begin to wonder if this could be an indication of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It is possible that these lapses are simply a normal part of aging or possibly signs of a mild cognitive impairment unrelated to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. If these behaviors are a concern to you or your loved one, it is important to speak with your doctor in order to get an accurate diagnosis. Alzheimer’...
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Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease | Millennium Memory Care

Visiting Nurse
Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging for physicians to detect at an early stage if patients themselves do not recognize the warning signs or are reluctant to communicate their concerns. Often, it is family members or friends who observe signs of dementia even before the patient is aware they have a problem. There is still no definitive test for detecting Alzheimer’s disease, so a careful medical evaluation is needed to help lead to a diagnosis. In addition to physical exams and a review of ...
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