Dementia Dimensions

Dementia Resource Center Blog for At Home Caregivers

  • Engagement

A Trip Down Memory Lane: REMINISCING

Reminiscing can be especially beneficial for those with dementia. We can all become frustrated when we forget recent events, names, or tasks.
  • Ask Mimi

When my wife doesn’t sleep well or not at all, she is terrible the next day…repeats same questions over and over. How can I realistically get her off the same question or multiple questions? After giving her a sleeping pill/anixety med she gets back to “normal.” -Gabe K.

It’s good that you know what leads to the bad days. It’s so hard when they ask the same question over and over.
  • Ask Mimi

My mom tells me the same stories, over and over. When I tell her she’s told me already, she gets angry with me. What can I do to help? -Bobby

This is easier said than done, but… stop telling her she’s told you. She doesn’t remember, and having her mistake pointed out to her just makes her feel defensive.
  • Ask Mimi

I am caring for my husband, who has dementia. Lately I’ve noticed I often forget where I left my glasses or car keys. Am I getting dementia too? -Karen V.

Forgetfulness, or taking longer to remember something, are normal experiences as we get older. Stress can make it worse. If you are caring for someone with dementia, you might be more keenly aware of those lapses and quick to worry prematurely. 
  • Emotional

Grieving the Living: Dementia through the Eyes of a Granddaughter

A pain that is seldom understood or discussed is the pain of the family and friends who must grieve the lives of those living with dementia.
  • Ask Mimi

For many years my mom has met her girlfriends out for breakfast every morning. With COVID-19 and her dementia recently progressing, she has not been able to go out since before the pandemic. In a new development, my mom insists on going out for breakfast every day, but she asks to do this at 10 p.m., or as early as 5 a.m. She has no concept of time. How do I get my mom to understand that she can’t do many of the things that she used to do? -Jillian S.

None of us likes to be told what we can and can’t do. People living with dementia are no different. This activity is something that she identifies as being significant to her quality of life.
  • Ask Mimi

What are some ways I can help relieve anxiety in my loved one?- Catherine D.

It isn’t surprising that people with dementia feel anxious sometimes. The world has become more difficult for them to navigate, and they are unsure of so many things.
  • Ask Mimi

My brother has just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and he shared that the doctor told him he was in Stage 1 (Mild). What symptoms should we expect to see? -Judy

Minor memory loss and difficulty learning are common for first-stage Alzheimer's disease. You may also notice a loss of energy and spontaneity, as well as mood swings, confusion, trouble communicating, and difficulty organizing.
  • Emotional

The Forgotten Male Caregiver

The inherent nature of men to keep challenges private (one-third of male caregivers do not tell their employers they are caregiving) and to resist reliance on friends and family for support (38% versus 47% in females), makes them more at risk for suffering in silence.

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