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If you're visiting a loved one with Alzheimer's disease during this holiday season, here are some tips to try and have a more pleasant visit.......

Know that Alzheimer's commonly includes issues with:

• Communication: trouble finding words, expressing specific thoughts, or following along with conversations.


• Memory: repeating a question, not recognizing a family member or friend right away, struggling to do everyday tasks.


• Behavior: agitation, verbal or physical outbursts, and irritability.

Tips to help communicate:

• Always approach your loved one calmly from the front in order to avoid startling them.


• Avoid arguing, criticizing or correcting them.


• Remain calm and encourage them to express themselves...

World Stroke Day raises awareness of the serious nature of strokes. Strokes are a top cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of disability. A stroke is a life-changing event, both physically and emotionally.

A stroke is an attack on the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel (also called an artery) ruptures while bringing oxygen and blood to the brain. When this occurs, the brain cells immediately die due to lack of oxygen.

F.A.S.T. Warning Signs

Use the letters in F.A.S.T. to spot a stroke.

• F = Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?


• A = Arm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both ar...

According to the Harvard School of Puyblic Health, drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons:

• to regulate body temperature


• to keep joints lubricated


• prevent infections


• deliver nutrients to cells


• keep organs functioning properly


• improves sleep quality, cognition and mood

Water is essential to our bodies. Our bodies don't work properly unless we drink enough water. Additionally, water will help you stay regular. It is common to become constipated if you don't drink enough.

Water will ehlp your joints work better. A large part of joint cartilage is made up of water, so drinking enough water will help your cartilage absorb shock. It will also make bone agaisnt bone movements smooth...

On April 4th, we celebrated Vitamin C day. Vitamin C is recognized for warding off colds and is clinically proven to be useful in other areas of our health as well. Vitamin C may help to reduce blood pressure, which in turn, may lower the risk of heart disease. It also has been shown to help lower the risk of gout for those who are prone to it.

Vitamin C is a powerful micronutrient that is essential to our health. It is considered the "go-to" supplement to boost the immune system during cold and flu season and offers great benefits to the brain, heart and skin year-round. It also helps to improve collagen production, so with sufficient vitamin C levels, your body can best produce healthy...

World Stroke Day raises awareness of the serious nature of strokes. Strokes are a top cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of disability. A stroke is a life-changing event, both physically and emotionally.

A stroke is an attack on the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel (also called an artery) ruptures while bringing oxygen and blood to the brain. When this occurs, the brain cells immediately die due to lack of oxygen.

F.A.S.T. Warning Signs

Use the letter in F.A.S.T. to spot a Stroke

• F = Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?


• A = Arm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms...

Water is a short-term guest. On an empty stomach, it will leave your stomach about 10 minutes after drinking it.

The human brain consists of about 80% water, but all parts of the body need water to work properly.

Water keeps the skin looking good, it helps energize muscles, and keeps the kidneys functioning properly. It also helps to maintain normal bowel function, can prevent headaches, and helps to stabilize your heartbeat.

Water is essential in the summer and all year long. You are encouraged to bring your loved one a special container or mug to put their water in. We will refill the container as need and encourage them to stay hydrated.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life, forgetting recently learned information, forgetting important dates and asking the same question repetitively.


2. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Tasks such as following a recipe or balancing a checkbook may become difficult.


3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks. Tasks such as using the telephone, T.V, or microwave may become difficult.


4. Confusion with time or place.


5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. This may affect the persons balance, reading or the ability to drive.


6. New problems with words with speaking or writing.


7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.


8. Decreased or poor judgement.


9. Withdrawal from work ...

Seasonal Affective Disorder

If you are one of the millions of Americans who finds themselves "in a funk" through the colder and darker months, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder. SAD is a specific kind of depression that affects people seasonally and who are affected during the colder /darker months. For reasons that aren't fully understood, some people develop depression that is considered to be related to less sunlight.

If you think you may have SAD you should talk with your doctor about it. Also, there is some discussion about how vitamin D may be helpful in the treatment/prevention of SAD.

Here are some treatments to consider:

• Make your environment sunnier and brigher.


• Ge...

Dementia vs Alzheimer's

Dementia and Alzheimer's are not the same.

Dementia is a syndrome not a disease. Dementia is the umbrella term to describe symptoms that affect memory, activities of daily living and communication. There are many types of Dementia but the most common form is Alzlheimer's.

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease of the brain that slowly causes impairment in memory and cognitive function. The exact cause is unknown and no cure is available.

Both conditions can cause a decline in the ability to think, memory impairment, and communication impairment.

The symptoms of Alzheimer's include difficulty remembering recent events or conversations, apathy, depression, impaired judg...

Tips for communicating with a loved one who has Alzheimer's Disease:

• Set a positive mood and tone, always smile and make eye contact.


• Don't talk down or treat them like an infant, always treat the person with dignity and respect.


• Be patient and offer reassurance.


• Speak slowly and clearly, ask one question at a time. Sometimes visual cues can help.


• Engage the person one on one, preferably with little distractions.


• It's O.K. not to always know what to say, your presence is just as important.