Best Treatments for Alzheimer’s-Related Agitation

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month. We at Atlantic Coast Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center would like to use this opportunity to bring you information about an aspect of the disease that, while common, gets little press. Agitation is one of the most common symptoms in people with Alzheimer’s. It is not only an issue…

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Aromatherapy Proven to Reduce Anxiety

In 2015, the World Health Organization estimated that anxiety disorders affect approximately 6.3% of individuals in the United States. This is an issue of special concern for seniors because anxiety affects a disproportionate percentage of elderly people, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease. Anxiety disorders are treated with any of a variety of anti-anxiety drugs, benzodiazepines…

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Rheumatoid Arthritis and “Brain Fog”

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known for causing painful joints, but this autoimmune disease is also associated with memory and concentration problems, as well as with general problems in thinking. These cognitive symptoms, known colloquially as “brain fog,” are also found with other inflammatory conditions. Although the associations are there, it has been difficult to track…

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10 Ways to Help People with Alzheimer’s Get the Nutrition They Need

A common but lesser-known aspect of Alzheimer’s and other dementias is loss of appetite. Add to this that as mental and 1physical function decline, skills such as using a fork or spoon, and drinking from a cup can also be lost. Ensuring that someone with a dementia gets proper nutrition requires planning. If nutrition is…

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How to Miss a Diagnosis of Dementia: Go to the Doctor Alone

A Johns Hopkins study suggests that dementia is an even greater problem than we know. According to this research, a significant majority of seniors with dementia are undiagnosed — or are not aware that they have been diagnosed. The biggest risk factor for a senior being unaware of their diagnosis? Going to the doctor alone.…

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Too Little Sleep Harms Cognition. So Does Too Much.

Too Little Sleep Harms Cognition — and So Does Too Much

In recent years there is a growing amount of evidence showing a direct negative impact between diminished sleep and a variety of complaints, including cognitive function. Recently researchers from Western University’s Brain and Mind Institute in Canada set up the largest sleep study ever conducted, examining data from 40,000 people. Dr. Adrian Owen, a cognitive…

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A Few Minutes of Light Exercise Can Improve Brain Function

A Few Minutes of Light Exercise Can Improve Brain Function

As we age, many of us experience increasing aches and pains, especially in the morning or on cold or rainy days. We also face a greater likelihood of developing diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis, just to name a few. However, one of the most difficult issues for most seniors to deal with…

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Seasonal Changes and Dementia

Seasonal Changes and Dementia

Seasonal changes have been linked with a number of illnesses. For example, Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months, when people’s exposure to the sun is limited due to the shorter days. It has also been shown that the onset of schizophrenia is most…

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DICE Method Effective for Alzheimer’s

DICE Method Effective for Alzheimer’s

Agitation, aggression, and other difficult behaviors are common in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Often, these behaviors are managed with antipsychotic and other psychiatric drugs. However, while a pharmacological approach may be simple to implement, it is not necessarily in the best interest of the patient. A paper in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society…

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