The guardianship process is complex, expensive, and often humiliating to the older adult. Most times, guardianship is also avoidable. Plan ahead to avoid guardianship. Whenever possible, guardianship should be avoided. The most effective way to avoid guardianship is to plan ahead. Sine there is…
Category: Dementia
Complete Estate Planning: Advance Directives for People with Dementia
In November of last year, the Washington Post ran an opinion piece by an ER doctor titled “Doctors are torturing dementia patients at the end of their life”. Read the article here The doctor’s experience and perspective are not unusual. As Jane Brody of the New…
Community Resource Highlight: Georgia Memory Net
In our latest newsletter, we advised families to not avoid getting a dementia diagnosis. For many reasons, a timely diagnosis of dementia can be crucial. Of course, finding quality providers who can assist with testing, diagnosing and treating can be tricky. There are about…
Athletes Face LBD Danger from Contact Sports
Dem Sports athletes may be at increased risk for Lewy Body Disease (LBD) which can then cause Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder that leads to problems with movement and thinking. A new study by VA-BU-CLF Brain Bank just published in the Journal of Neuropathology and…
Alzheimer’s Disease Education Classes
The Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers several educational programs for families and individuals facing Alzheimer’s, as well as community members all across Georgia. Classes are offered from now through December at various locations in the Atlanta metro area, including Canton, Decatur, Tucker, Jonesboro,…
Alzheimer’s Diagnosis? First Things First
Your mom got the dreaded diagnosis! What do you do first? Start by contacting your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association; ask for guidance and use their printed information. Locate a geriatric care manager, doctors specializing in dementia, adult day care services and respite care…
Alzheimer’s Funding, Facts and Figures
Today we can celebrate that Alzheimer’s research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is at $1.8 billion. This is due to an increase that has just been signed into law. Congress included the largest increase in history for Alzheimer’s research in the 2018…
Dolls as a Dementia Intervention?
Can a doll really help someone with Alzheimer’s disease? You may be shocked to learn that yes, for many living with dementia, a doll or other soft lovey can be very calming and even provide a sense of purpose and belonging. We were excited to…
Can my dad create a new will even if he has dementia?
We often hear from family members that assume it’s too late for their loved one to create and sign a new will because the person has dementia. Yes, at some point in the disease process, a person living with dementia will lose the capacity to…
Avoid Holiday Stress
The holiday season is often a stressful time for those with dementia and their caregivers. The celebrations, decorated spaces, visitors, and interruptions in routine can leave those with dementia feeling agitated, confused and overstimulated. The caregivers are often frustrated and anxious. The Alzheimer’s Association offers…