Steve Toll sings tunes from the 30s to the 60s in a quest to connect with seniors and those living with dementia through music and conversation. When COVID-19 hit, Steve started getting on Facebook daily to help engage and connect with seniors who are sheltering-in-place. Keep Reading

We usually associate the latest technology with the young, but in the case of virtual reality (VR),... Keep Reading

During this period of social and physical distancing, it can be challenging for people to stay... Keep Reading

We all feel lonely from time to time. Indeed, loneliness may actually help us to experience... Keep Reading

According to a study by AARP most older adults want to continue living at home. Under the right conditions, people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can stay at home until the end of life, enjoying the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. Keep Reading

Older adults can be harmed at home due to inadvertently taking too much medication. This risk... Keep Reading

Almost every morning during my summer vacations as a kid, my parents and I would ride together on the boardwalk along the New Jersey shore. Keep Reading

There is nothing more satisfying than a home-cooked meal with friends and family. I have some fond memories of watching my mother prepare the family meal and smelling the delightful aromas that made my mouth water. I could not help sneaking a taste when Mom wasn’t looking. Of course, Mom knew exactly what I was doing, and she started to encourage my tasting behavior. She also started to ask me to help her with meal preparations and as I became more involved, asking questions, tasting and making flavor adjustments, I was learning to cook and having a lot of fun. Keep Reading

When I would visit my grandma at her retirement community, I would watch the parade of little white busses shuttling residents from one day-trip to the next. Keep Reading

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, safety is the second tier of the pyramid just above the need for food and water. It is defined as “protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear.” When we think of creating a safe environment for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, the focus tends to be on elements of the physical environment that may be dangerous, but we often overlook the psychological aspects of feeling safe. Keep Reading

The term "memory loss" is commonly used as a shorthand for dementia, especially in regard to Alzheimer's disease where memory loss is a prominent feature. However, did you know that not all types of dementia include significant memory loss? Did you know some types of memory may remain more intact than others? Keep Reading

When people think of “dementia,” it is natural to next think “memory loss.” What we may not be prepared for is how other behaviors can change and even become difficult to manage. In fact, it is these challenging behaviors that families report as more troublesome than memory loss. Keep Reading

When someone in the family has dementia, two important facts need to be respected, particularly around the winter holidays: We want to spend the time we can with our loved ones. Yet, people, noise and activity can easily overwhelm those with dementia. Keep Reading

People with dementia frequently make mistakes in judgment and understanding. They begin to have communication problems as use of language becomes more difficult. People with dementia also have high levels of confusion about the world we live in. Combine all these factors, and situations are ripe for misinterpretation. Besides hallucinations and delusions, there can be alternate interpretations for the situations below: Keep Reading

People with dementia have many abilities and functions preserved for a long time – even through the end of life. When we take time to understand what people with dementia can still do, we are taking the first steps in creating better days for them. Here are two examples of how focusing on what is still possible can make a difference (all identifying information has been changed for privacy reasons). Keep Reading

The new school year is well underway and the first report cards will be out soon. Most children started off to elementary school with new backpacks, shiny three-ring binders and pencils sharpened in hopes of academic success. Parents also work to promote good learning, with the understanding that their children’s school performance can influence future co-curricular activities, college choices and vocation. Keep Reading