1. Health
2. Alzheimer's & Dementia

Alzheimer's

• Checklist - 8 Signs to Watch for if You Suspect Alzheimer's

  Alzheimer's Symptoms. How to recognize Alzheimer symptoms. The 8 symptoms to watch for if you suspect your parent has Alzheimer's disease.

• Article - How to Avoid Strained Sibling Relationships When a Parent Has Alzheimer's

  The best ways to maintain family unity when caring for a parent with Alzheimer's disease.

• Article - Nontraditional Therapies That May Help Your Parent's Alzheimer's

  Here are some nontraditional forms of therapy that have been found useful for people with Alzheimer's disease.

• Article - The Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

  The Stages of Alzheimer's Disease. A comprehensive guide on what to expect during each Alzheimer's stage.

• Interview - Talking With Jacqueline Marcell

  Jacqueline Marcell, author of "Elder Rage, or Take My Father ... Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents," on how to cope with Alzheimer's.

• Article - Common Myths About Alzheimer's Disease

  Nine Alzheimer's myths clarified. This and other resources on Alzheimer's disease are available in Caring.com's Alzheimer's & Dementia page.

• Article - How to Slow the Progress of Alzheimer's Disease

  The cognitive changes of Alzheimer's disease can't be reversed. But there are some proven ways to delay further decline, at least over the short term.

• Interview - Talking With TV Personality Leeza Gibbons: Providing Support for Alzheimer's Caregivers

  Talk-show host Leeza Gibbons on her mother's struggle with Alzheimer's and her own support network for Alzheimer's caregivers, Leeza's Place.

• Article - Life Expectancy for a Parent With Alzheimer's

  Life Expectancy for a Parent With Alzheimer's. What's the average life span of someone with Alzheimer's? What influences Alzheimer's longevity?

• Article - Medicare Coverage for Mental Health and Alzheimer's Care

  Modern medicine recognizes that many mental and emotional...

• Interview - Talking With Hector Elizondo: When It Comes to Alzheimer's, Information Is Everything

  Alzheimer's activist and actor Hector Elizondo talks about caregiver burnout and how to prevent it.

• Article - How to Handle a Parent With Alzheimer's Who Wanders

  What you need to know to create a safe environment for a parent with Alzheimer's who wanders.

• Article - Memory Enhancers for Those With Alzheimer's

  The following ideas are easy to implement and will...

• Checklist - 10 Questions to Ask Your Parent's Doctor About Alzheimer's

  If your parent has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, time is really of the essence. Here are the questions to ask your parent's medical provider.

• Quiz - Do You Know the Difference Between Dementia and Normal Memory Loss?

  A short quiz to help you tell the difference between normal memory loss and dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

• Interview - Talking With Julie Winokur

  Julie Winokur, whose film series The Sandwich Generation documents her family's care-giving experience, reflects on caring for parents at home.

• Article - How to Tell if Your Parent With Alzheimer's Needs Assisted Living

  How to tell if your parent with Alzheimer's needs assisted living. These questions will help you decide whether your parent needs more assistance.

• Checklist - 8 People You Need on Your Alzheimer's Care Team

  Which professionals handle dementia? Learning that...

• Checklist - 8 Ways to Preserve Family Memories While You Can if Your Parent Has Alzheimer's

  Learn about the 8 ways to preserve family memories if your parent has Alzheimer's. Start by digitizing old photos or by filling out the family tree.

• Article - The Path to an Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis

  Six steps to take if your parent is showing signs of Alzheimer's disease, from documenting the symptoms to finding the right doctor -- and what to do after you get a diagnosis.

• Article - How to Provide Alzheimer's Support From a Distance

  Ten great ideas to help you care for your parent with Alzheimer's disease when you can't be there in person.

• Article - Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): A Beginner's Guide

  A guide to telling the difference between normal memory loss and mild cognitive impairment that could lead to dementia.

• Article - What to Do If Your Parents Refuse to Stop Driving

  How to keep a dangerous driver off the roads and out of harm's way -- what to do if your parents refuse to stop driving.

• Article - How to Tell Your Kids About Your Parent's Alzheimer's Disease

  Help your kids understand what your parent is going through with this simple guide to explaining Alzheimer's disease to children.

• Checklist - 8 Things to Do When You First Learn Your Parent Has Alzheimer's

  Practical steps you can take when you're wondering...

• Article - How to Communicate Better When Your Parent Has Early-Stage Alzheimer's or Dementia

  How to better communicate when your parent has early stage Alzheimer's or dementia. Keep these simple Alzheimer's communication techniques in mind.

• Interview - Talking With Beth Witrogen: Caregiving as a Spiritual Journey

  Beth Witrogen, author of Caregiving: The Spiritual Journey of Love, Loss, and Renewal, reflects on how the blessings of caregiving outweigh the burdens.

• Article - Parkinson's Disease: A Guide to Mind and Mood

  A guide to the cognitive and behavioral symptoms common in Parkinson's disease, and how they can be treated.

• Article - Non-Alzheimer's Causes of Dementia

  Alzheimer's isn't the only cause of dementia. A basic overview of different kinds of dementia and how they can affect your elderly parent.

• Article - How to Care for a Parent With Fecal Incontinence

  Fecal or bowel incontinence can be caused by Alzheimer's, stroke, Parkinson's and other diseases that strike the elderly. Learn how you can help.

Blog Posts

• Blog Post - Dementia and Driving: Is It OK?

  Driving and dementia: The question of whether people with dementia should be able to drive is controversial. Here, a review of some relevant facts.

• Blog Post - On PBS: What's It Like to Have Alzheimer's?

  "The Forgetting: A Portrait of Alzheimer's" on PBS is an excellent examination of the disease.

• Blog Post - You're Not Imagining It: More People Have Alzheimer's

  Alzheimer's disease is now the sixth leading cause of death in the US.

• Blog Post - The Plot Thickens: Another Clue in the Alzheimer's-Diabetes Mystery

  New research may help explain the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Plus tips if you suspect your parent with type 2 diabetes has Alzheimer's disease.

• Blog Post - Diabetes Drug Combo May Keep the Mind Healthy

  Some diabetes drugs may stave off Alzheimer's disease, according to new research.

• Blog Post - A New, Cool, and Easy Way to Support the Fight Against Alzheimer's

  Caring.com and the Alzheimer's Association have partnered to create a purple ribbon campaign to raise funds and awareness for the fight against Alzheimer's.

• Blog Post - Is Age Too Great an Alzheimer's Risk for the Presidency?

  Some charge that John McCain is at risk for Alzheimer's, and that he's too old, at 72, to become president. What are the real facts about who's at risk for Alzheimer's?

• Blog Post - Dental Treatment for Alzheimer's Patients

  For people with Alzheimer's or dementia, specially trained dentists provide a gentle touch.

• Blog Post - My parents, who have dementia, flat-out refuse to move into assisted living. How do I get them to move without making them hate me?

  Advice on how to move parents with dementia into assisted living when they don't want to move.

• Blog Post - Euthanasia for End-Stage Alzheimer's? How About Humanity Instead

  People with late-stage dementia should kill themselves, says a British government adviser, but here's what's really needed for late-stage Alzheimer's disease care.

• Blog Post - Alzheimer's Breakthrough: What It Can Mean to You Right Now

  A cure is still far away but here's a way to further the cause.

• Blog Post - Why People With Dementia Need Daily Exercise

  Older people with dementia who exercise daily showed improvements in mental function. Simple exercises for those with dementia to get started.

• Blog Post - Dementia Caregivers: Ready to Make Your Brain a Promise?

  Scary new statistics about Alzheimer's disease and dementia are a wake-up call to caregivers to take better care of themselves.

• Blog Post - A Famous Mom Dies of Alzheimer's

  The inspiration for "Mommy" in the cartoon "The Family Circus" dies of Alzheimer's at 82.

• Blog Post - Sex for Life

  New research shows that many people are sexually active well into old age.

• Blog Post - Unforgettable Mother's Day Gifts for a Mom Who Forgets

  Great Mother's Day gift ideas for someone with dementia

• Blog Post - New Vocabulary Words for Caregivers

  Thoughts on the power of language to influence our perspective on care-giving for the better.

• Blog Post - A "Pre-Dementia" Epidemic?

  Mild cognitive impairment -- a mild mental decline that can be a precursor to Alzheimer's-- is on the rise.

• Blog Post - Dementia Caregiver? 4+ Ways You Can Take a Break

  Ideas for how dementia caregivers can use the arts for stress relief.

• Blog Post - Day Services Really Help People With Dementia -- and Their Caregivers

  New research shows using day services for people with Alzheimer's or dementia helps both them and their caregivers.

• Blog Post - What can a hired caregiver do about a woman who threatens her grandmother -- who has Alzheimer's -- that the family will send her away if she doesn't take her medicines?

  I have been a part-time caregiver to a woman with Alzheimer...

• Blog Post - Memory Trouble? Don't Assume It's Alzheimer's

  Memory loss isn't always Alzheimer's: a review of types of memory loss

• Blog Post - Millions Falling Into the Doughnut Hole

  Medicare Part D has a coverage gap, the doughnut hole, that forces millions of people to give up taking needed medications, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation study.

• Blog Post - Music Hits the Right Note for Stroke Patients

  New research shows that listening to music for a couple of hours a day can help patients recover from stroke.

• Blog Post - My sister's refusal to communicate with me about our father's care has brought back to mind years of mistreatment by her. What can I do?

  My sister is 14 years older than I am and has full...

• Blog Post - How to Talk to Someone With Dementia: New Insights

  People with dementia may remember more than it first appears. Here's how to help them.

• Blog Post - Alzheimer's Meds: Time for a Reality Check?

  The absence of good news about Alzheimer's medications reminds caregivers that learning behavioral therapy is paramount.

• Blog Post - Is It Hard to Get an Early Alzheimer's Diagnosis?

  Early Alzheimer's patients have special challenges, according to a new Alzheimer's Association report, including getting an accurate diagnosis

• Blog Post - The Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer's

  What to watch for and what you can do.

• Blog Post - What Alzheimer's Caregivers Need Even More Than a Cure

  Alzheimer's caregivers need care resources as urgently as a cure

• Blog Post - I constantly feel guilty because no matter how much I do for my parents, I know it's never enough.

  My mom has advanced Alzheimer's and my dad is 92 and...

• Blog Post - Memory Loss Is on Everybody's, Um, Mind

  Many caregivers wonder about their own memory loss; these amusing readings offer a cheering perspective.

• Blog Post - How Furry Toys, Animals, and Dolls Help People With Dementia

  Meet "Paro" and learn how "robot therapy," animal therapy, and doll therapy are helping people with dementia

• Blog Post - Lewy Body or Alzheimer's: Do You Need to Know What KIND of Dementia?

  Estelle Getty's death of Lewy Body Dementia illuminates a common form of dementia different from Alzheimer's.

• Blog Post - Vascular Dementia Resources for Caregivers

  Vascular dementia is the second leading cause of dementia in the US. Here's a list of blogs and resources for vascular dementia caregivers.

• Blog Post - How can I deal with my mom's anger at me for urging her to move my dad to an Alzheimer's residence, where he fell in love with another woman?

  My mother, who took care of my father through the early...

• Blog Post - Alzheimer's Caregivers' #1 Challenge

  A new survey of Alzheimer's caregivers reveals that daily care isn't the worst of it. Grief is.

• Blog Post - Want to Participate in an Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial?

  Clinical trials for Alzheimer's drugs attract too few participants to help speed promising candidates through research; here's why.

• Blog Post - Too Skinny? Too Fat? Both Raise Your Risk of Dementia

  Being too fat OR too thin puts you at risk for dementia, according to a review of past studies.

• Blog Post - Decoding the Secret Language of Alzheimer's

  What people with Alzheimer's are really saying.

• Blog Post - Mindbenders: Memory-Boosting Brain Games

  These brain-building games promise to boost mental skills.

• Blog Post - Alzheimer's Memories: Are You Recording Them?

  Chronicling your Alzheimer's caregiving experience: the joys and benefits.

• Blog Post - Test Yourself: What You Don't Know About Alzheimer's Can Hurt You (or Your Loved One)

  Common misperceptions about Alzheimer's from an Australian researcher who studies this.

• Blog Post - Brain-Training 101: Does It Really Help Those With Dementia?

  Brain-fitness games are a huge growth industry, but can they help prevent or reverse dementia?

• Blog Post - Would You Rather Your Parent Had Dementia or Alzheimer's or Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration?

  Is "dementia" an outdated word, like "mongoloid" or "cripple"?

• Blog Post - Dementia Caregivers: You Really Ought to Talk About It

  New study shows one on one therapy helps reduce the burden on caregivers and their depressive symptoms.

• Blog Post - 5 Surprising Ways to Use Memories to Help People With Memory Loss

  Reminiscence therapy improves mood and communication in people with Alzheimer's and dementia by prodding deeply-held memories.

• Blog Post - Fat Belly Now Doubles Risk of Dementia Later

  A new study links belly fat in midlife with an increased risk of developing dementia later in life. It's the first-ever study to link excess weight to Alzheimer's-type dementias.

Questions & Answers

• Question - Are hallucinations common in people with Alzheimer's?

  Are Alzheimer's hallucinations common? My parent who has Alzheimer's has been experiencing hallucinations. Yes, hallucinations are fairly common.

• Question - My 88 year old father is uncharacteristically making accussions of my mother. What could be wrong?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can my dad help my mom, who has Alzheimer's, when she has a crying spell?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What are the last stages of Alzheimer's?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Can someone with Alzheimer's forget something then remember it?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Why do Alzheimer's patients remember certain things and forget others?

  Why do Alzheimer's patients remember certain things and not others? Alzheimer's patients tend to remember things that happened longer ago better.

• Question - Why won't my parents and their friends use the word Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Who is doing the most promising research for an Alzheimer's cure?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What are the first signs of Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by two Community Members

• Question - How can my mother handle my father's poor nutrition and eating habits?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Does stress affect Alzheimer's?

  Does stress cause Alzheimer's symptoms or make them worse? Here's expert advice on dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia behaviors affected by stress.

• Question - Is it common for Alzheimer's patients to have good and bad days with their memory?

  If a parent with early Alzheimer's or dementia has both good and bad days, it can mean that some situations are more confusing or stressful.

• Question - How do I tell strangers about my parent's Alzheimer's disease?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Does Alzheimer's disease cause my mother's rummaging behavior?

  Rummaging is a common Alzheimer's behavior, though you may feel like it's driving you crazy. Alzheimer's behaviors like rummaging help calm a patient.

• Question - What is the life expectancy of someone with Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Alzheimer's versus dementia

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Any suggestions for talking to my father, who has Alzheimer's, about his finances?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get my mother to acknowledge that she has Alzheimer's?

  Should I tell my parent she has Alzheimer's? Expert advice on how to talk about Alzheimer's when your parent is starting to experience dementia.

• Question - How do I know if my mom has Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Is it safe to leave a parent with Alzheimer's home alone?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Could my mother have Alzheimer's, rather than dementia?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - My mother of 82 has been diagnosed with alzheimers for a few...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Should I take cigarettes away from my mother, who has Alzheimer's, for fear she'll start a fire?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Should my mom's house remain unchanged even though she has memory problems?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What if my dad's doctor doesn't think it's Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Should I continue to encourage my mom to be social, even as her Alzheimer's worsens?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get my brother to help with Alzheimer's care?

  This question has been answered by two Community Members

• Question - Is it normal for someone who has Alzheimer's to make a mess while urinating?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can vitamin supplements and herbals slow memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease?

  Alzheimer's memory loss may be slowed by vitamins. Supplements can't improve memory, but they might be able to slow memory loss down slightly.

• Question - When a person with Alzheimer's repeatedly makes mistakes, is it OK to correct her?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can Alzheimer's affect how someone feels about the outdoors?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Do we tell my grandmother, who is suffering from Alzheimers, about a death in the family?

  Should I tell my relative with Alzheimer's about a death in the family? Or will the news about a death only upset an Alzheimer's patient?

• Question - How should I tell my mom's friends that she has Alzheimer's?

  What's the right time to tell friends about a parent's Alzheimer's? When it's time to tell them about the Alzheimer's or dementia, they can help.

• Question - What's the best way to handle criticism about the Alzheimer's care I'm giving my mom?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - What's the diplomatic way to handle wild accusations by a parent with Alzheimer's?

  Coping with accusations by an Alzheimer's patient diplomatically is tough. Here's how to respond to accusations and keep friends from being alienated.

• Question - How can I keep my father, who has dementia, from losing things?

  Does your parent with dementia keep losing things? If your parent loses things often, a few simple tricks will help keep track of his items.

• Question - Do I tell my mother her memory trouble is Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I make sure my father with Alzheimer's remembers to take his medicines?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - How can I help my dad, who has Alzheimer's, communicate?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Should I get a personal emergency response system (PERS) for my mom, who has early-stage Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - What should I do when my parent with Alzheimer's doesn't recognize members of the family?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Should I interfere in my mother's social life if she has Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I make a hospital stay easier for my mother with dementia?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - If visiting with and talking to extended family members unsettles my father, who has Alzheimer's, should we continue while still remembers them or stop?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What can I do about the fact that my sibling is in denial about Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do we get my mother-in-law, who has Alzheimer's, to allow us to clean her house or bathe her?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do we deal with two conflicting opinions about an Alzheimer's diagnosis?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can you transfer power of attorney in late-stage Alzheimer's?

  A power of attorney generally cannot be transferred once the principal is incapacitated.

• Question - Can Alzheimer's disease cause mild-mannered people to swear?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I get my mother to go for another Alzheimer's evaluation?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Which medicines cause memory loss?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What is the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia?

  This question has been answered by three Community Members

• Question - After speech is lost, how can we communicate effectively with an Alzheimer's patient?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Is it possible to buy a house despite credit card debt?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Why would my mother be prescribed Arresta if her doc says she does not have dementia or Alzheimer's?

  We suspect my Mom may have either dementia or alzhiemers...

• Question - Are there ID bracelets for Alzheimer's patients?

  This question has been answered by two Community Members

• Question - What's the best way to remove my mother's dog?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How do we get my mom, who has Alzheimer's, taken off the deed to my dad's home?

  The relative ease or difficulty of changing a deed after incapacity depends on what legal controls were already in place.

• Question - Do alzheimers patients sometimes scream for absolutely no apparent reason?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Does my angry father have Alzheimer's or dementia?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What can I do to bring some pleasure to my mom who has Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I explain the difference between dementia and Alzheimers?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What's the best way to respond when my parent with memory problems keeps repeating himself?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there a way to use my mother's assets to compensate me as her caregiver?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Are Alzheimer's and dementia basically the same thing?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What's the best way to deal with my dad, who has Alzheimer's, on issues such as bathing?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How can I deal with my family's denial of my mother's Alzheimer disease?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I convince my father to go to an Alzheimer's adult day care?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My dad eats lots of sweets and doesn't like to drink water--could he have diabetes?

  Find out if a sweet tooth or a lack of thirst are symptoms for type 2 diabetes.

• Question - My mother in-law who suffers from Alzheimers is about to...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - As a husband, what financial steps should I take to both protect my wife as she progresses through the steps of Alzheimer's and myself?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I persuade my siblings to visit my mother, who has Alzheimer's, more often?

  My mother has Alzheimer's, and two of my siblings refuse to visit her. How can I persuade them?

• Question - Am I responsible for my parent's debt?

  Am I responsible for my parent's debt? I recently discovered that my father has several thousand of dollars of debt. Are parent debts transferable?

• Question - How do we convince my father to see a doctor about possible Alzheimer's symptoms and hearing loss?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Are guardians required by law for mentally incompetent elders?

  There has to be some pretty good evidence of neglect or mismanagement before a court will require a legal guardian or conservator.

• Question - What is the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia?

  What's the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia? There are many differences between Alzheimer's and dementia, although they're easily confused.

• Question - Is there a medication that helps with dementia/sundowning...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How do I balance my time with the time I need to give to caring for my mother with Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My father is 91 and living in an independent living...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Will chemo take away quality of life for my mother, who has Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I help my mother-in-law with Alzheimer's to stop refusing to take her medicine?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can power of attorney be rescinded and returned to a spouse?

  Powers of attorney can be changed or rescinded, but it is the principal who must make the change.

• Question - What is sundown syndrome?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do I get my husband to cope with his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can drugs prescribed for anxiety and depression mimic the symptoms for Alzheimer's?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What is the best way to remove a dog from a parent with Alzheimer's?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What is my mother's legal obligation to pay donation pledges she has given over the phone?

  There are some ways to cut back on hectoring calls from charitable organizations--and guidelines about whether a person must make good on pledges.

• Question - Is it normal for my grandfather, who has Alzheimer's and dementia, to be acting inappropriately towards other people?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Could my mother's sleeping pills be causing her sundown syndrome?

  Could sleeping pills be causing my parent's sundown syndrome? Yes, sleeping pills could certainly contribute to sundown syndrome, or confusion.

• Question - Is diabetes affecting my mom's brain?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What's the best way to keep a parent with Alzheimer's safe from wandering at night?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How can I get my mother-in-law to take her medicine?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can my half-brother keep me from seeing my mother, who is in a nursing home?

  Make sure you've tried to get to the bottom of a family member's attempts to block you from seeing your ailing mother. Then, you may need to take matters in your own hands.

• Question - What is, or are, the differences between alzheirmers and...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Is there a program that will pay me to care for my dad if I quit my job?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I get my mother the care she needs?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Do Alzheimer's patients typically take depression medication?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can I be held legally accountable for my father even though he does not want any help and his docotr has told us he is in the early stages of alzheirmer?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Where can I get free help with legal questions?

  There are several places to look for free legal help because of poor treatment at a VA hospital.

• Question - My question relates to your articles on Alzheimers. Why do...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Will Medicare pay for an assisted living facility?

  Medicare doesn't pay for assisted living. Medicaid, not Medicare, pays for some assisted living for very low-income seniors in a few states.

• Question - After my mother's funds run out, will Medicaid help pay for her care?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Does the Veterans Administration have any claim on my parent’s estate?

  Does the VA or our state have any claim on my parent’s estate?

• Question - My grandmother has become very hostile and I'm afraid to even try to bring her to a doctor, is there anything I can do?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Will we have to pay out of pocket for nursing home care for my grandmother who has Alzheimers?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I deal with changing eating habits?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - What is considered normal memory loss?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Does Medicare cover adult day care for Alzheimer’s patients?

  Does Medicare cover adult daycare? Medicare cover adult daycare only in very limited ways, like psychiatric help administered at the daycare center.

• Question - What rights do I have as a healthcare agent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can overuse of prescription meds, such as Xanax and Percocet...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What if I'm worried about my dad's Alzheimer's but he and my mom aren't?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - What's the difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship?

  What's the difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship? I want to know because my elderly parent refuses to sign a power of attorney.

• Question - How can I tell if my parent has Alzheimer's or depression?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - How do we handle my mom when my dad doesn't want to care for her anymore?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How do you keep from correcting someone who has dementia?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How do I get my husband signed up for Medicare Part D?

  Medicare Part D drug coverage is very inexpensive for people eligible for Medicaid and in nursing homes.

• Question - Can Alzheimer's lead to dehydration?

  Dehydration can be a dangerous side effect of Alzheimer's. When an elder is lethargic, vomiting, or confused, consider whether she's dehydrated.

• Question - my husband doesnt understand severe fibromyalgia and how my...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How long does a person with dementia usually live?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I keep my mother's hair clean when she resists shampooing?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Should I get a reverse mortgage or a bank loan for my elderly folks?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

Tips & Reflections

• Reflection - What I Wish I'd Known About Time and Alzheimer's: Television Host Leeza Gibbons

  Talk-show host Leeza Gibbons discusses her mother's Alzheimer's and why you should value every day when you're a caregiver.

• Tip - Mirrors Can Be Friend or Foe to Someone With Alzheimer's

  As your parent's Alzheimer's disease progresses, keep...

• Reflection - What I Wish I'd Known About the Toll Caregiving Takes: Actor Hector Elizondo

  Monk star Hector Elizondo talks about the psychological costs of Alzheimer's to caregivers, and the importance of getting resources and support.

• Tip - Don't Be Afraid to "Be Nosy" About a Parent's Dementia

  Wondering if your parent really has Alzheimer's...

• Reflection - What I Wish I'd Known About Alzheimer's, From Jacqueline Marcell

  Jacqueline Marcell, author of Elder Rage or, Take My Father ... Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents, talks about violence and Alzheimer's.

• Tip - A Word You Should Forget in Alzheimer's Conversations

  Consider losing the word why from your vocabulary. Why...

• Tip - Keep the Focus on Food to Encourage Better Eating

  Serve meals to a parent who has Alzheimer's at a table...

• Tip - When TV Commotion Frustrates an Alzheimer's Patient

  If you notice your parent losing interest in TV shows...

• Tip - Favorite Music Is Soothing to Parents With Alzheimer's

  When you visit a parent with Alzheimer's, play the...

• Tip - Art Projects Help With Alzheimer's

  Coloring is a relaxing activity for a parent with early...

• Tip - Communicating With a Parent Who Has Alzheimer's

  Can't figure out what your parent with Alzheimer's...

• Tip - Limit Clothing Choices for a Parent With Dementia

  Does your parent's Alzheimer's cause her to sometimes...

• Tip - How to Get the Answer You'd Prefer

  Offering a choice to someone with Alzheimer's boosts...

• Tip - Help Your Parent With Alzheimer's Disease Avoid Loss or Theft

  Take a minute to manage the wallet of your parent with...

• Tip - The 7-Second Alzheimer's Hug

  As language skills start to fade in mid-Alzheimer's...

• Tip - Light a Path to the Bath at Night

  If your parent's Alzheimer's makes it hard for her...

• Tip - Where to Look for Missing Household Items

  If your parent has a tendency to lose things, get in...

• Tip - Make Floors Less Confusing to the Alzheimer's Brain

  Take a closer look at your parent's floors if she has...

• Tip - Find an E-mail-Savvy Doctor

  Ask the doctors caring for your parent with Alzheimer...

• Tip - Add Color to Bathwater for Alzheimer's Patients

  Keep your parent safer in the bath by adding a color...

• Tip - Easier Dressing for Someone With Alzheimer's

  Tiny buttons, zippers, snaps, and hook-and-eye closures...

• Tip - A Dark Bath Mat Makes Tub Less Scary for Some Alzheimer's Patients

  Some people with Alzheimer's or dementia have trouble...

• Tip - Eliminate Shadows to Avoid Confusion

  Replace lightbulbs in rooms that your parent with Alzheimer...

• Tip - Use a Written Record to Assess Your Parent's Dementia

  If you suspect your parent has Alzheimer's, start an...

• Tip - Baby Soaps and No-Rinse Soaps Make Bathing Easier

  If your parent resists bathing, consider using baby...

• Tip - leave notes when you go out

  If you leave you, or your parent's spouse, leaves the...

News

• News - Blood Pressure Drug Might Work Against Alzheimer's

  THURSDAY, Oct. 25 (HealthDay News) -- The blood pressure...

• News - Blood Pressure, Heartbeat Problems Aggravate Alzheimer's

  TUESDAY, Nov. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Alzheimer's disease...

• News - Blacks, Hispanics Live Longer With Alzheimer's

  WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Blacks and Hispanics...

• News - Aging Brains Get Out of Sync

  WEDNESDAY, Nov. 5 (HealthDay News) -- In a finding...

• News - Fish Oil May Help Prevent Alzheimer's

  FRIDAY, Dec. 28 (HealthDay News) -- The omega-3 fatty...

• News - Latest Study Says Statins Don't Slow Alzheimer's

  THURSDAY, Jan. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Despite some...

• News - Driving Skills Decline Among People With Early Alzheimer's

  THURSDAY, Jan. 24 (HealthDay News) -- People with early...

• News - Alzheimer's Plaques Can Form in One Day

  WEDNESDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- An advanced imaging...

• News - Memory Loss in Hyperactive State With Alzheimer's

  FRIDAY, March 7 (HealthDay News) -- Memory loss, where...

• News - 10 Million Baby Boomers Face Alzheimer's, Report Predicts

  TUESDAY, March 18 (HealthDay News) -- An estimated...

Links

• External Link - U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Aging

  This federal institute is a leader in aging research. The link contains news releases on the latest Alzheimer’s disease findings, and provides information on clinical trials and research centers nationwide.

• External Link - Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation

  This research organization funds scientists both nationally and abroad with the goals of understanding the causes, finding a cure, and improving care. The link has information on various areas of study including prevention, risk factors, and treatment.