Getting the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease today is much like what getting a cancer diagnosis used to be for some people: devastating, often debilitating, and leaving one not knowing who to tell or where to turn. Years ago when I was a nurse, some patients didn’t want their families to know they had cancer. While cancer patients have gotten braver about their need for support and advocating for treatments and cures, many individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease still fear the stigma…and the confusion over what to do next.
Anne is a memory care patient in long-term chronic care at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center Roslindale. To learn more about our memory care offerings, please click here.
Families personally affected by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia are robbed of many things others take for granted, but though speech and other faculties may decline, a person’s light and spirit are indelible. Now living with advanced dementia, Anne radiates kindness and warmth and is a valued member of our community. See her story.
It’s no surprise that the holiday season can bring the passage of time into focus. As we catch up with relatives and friends we may not have seen over the course of the year, we notice the small changes in them that come with age. Even for those who see their family members regularly, the contrast of this year’s celebration to the last can make us all realize that we’re not getting any younger. And the older memories of childhood and holidays past usually contrast with the way things are today.
As a nonprofit leader in the field of aging, focusing on senior living communities, health care, teaching and research, Hebrew SeniorLife possesses a wealth of expertise and a broad range of services to support families facing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. To meet the growing demand for information, we have compiled some of our most useful dementia-specific knowledge into one resource: a new e-book entitled “Understanding and Living with Dementia: A Resource for Families.”
Time away with family can be wonderful – and sometimes challenging. Kids of all ages are occasionally prone to fighting, sulking, whining, and burying their heads in their phones. It can be frustrating even to the most patient grandparents.
Meaningful time together can create a lifetime of memories, so how can you help make your family time fulfilling and enjoyable for all when taking vacations with grandchildren? We interviewed parents, children and grandparents who had some terrific advice to share. Read on for their words of advice, and ours as well!
In their words: “Bring earplugs!”
In our words: “Take time for yourself.”
Delirium is a state of confusion that develops suddenly, often following an acute medical illness, a surgical procedure or a hospitalization. Although delirium is estimated to complicate hospital stays for more than 2.5 million older adult patients in the U.S. each year, this common condition often goes undetected. The end result can be serious complications with sometimes devastating consequences for vulnerable hospitalized elders.
Hebrew Rehabilitation Center’s Adult Day Health Program, Great Days for Seniors serves a diverse group of older adults with a wide range of needs both medical and social. Together, the seniors make up an engaged community supported by an exceptional staff and funding from BNY Mellon as well as Hinda and Arthur Marcus. Hear what their family members have to say about Great Days for Seniors.
