https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFyppk_fSF0
Caring for a loved one with dementia is a journey filled with emotional and practical challenges. As the disease progresses, there may come a time when transitioning to higher levels of care, such as memory care or a skilled nursing facility, becomes necessary.
Summer provides opportunities for outdoor activities, family gatherings, and meaningful moments together. However, warmer temperatures can create additional challenges for older adults, especially those living with dementia.
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.
In the last 13 years, two actors have won Academy Awards for starring roles depicting persons living with Alzheimer’s disease. These powerful performances by Julianna Moore (Still Alice) and Anthony Hopkins (The Father) were rightfully rewarded with Hollywood’s top prize while shining a spotlight on the many challenges faced by those who suffer from dementia.
Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and its other forms, is a progressive disease. There is a common saying: “If you have met one person with dementia, you have met one person with dementia.” Much of that truth comes from the highly individual nature of the disease’s progression.
