When we think of caregiver burnout, we often picture someone completely overwhelmed—physically drained, emotionally numb, maybe even at the edge of a breakdown.
Caring for a loved one living with dementia can be both rewarding and challenging depending on the moment and circumstance. The emotional, physical, and mental demands are constant and without proper support, stress can quickly take a toll on a caregiver’s health and well-being.
Many caregivers have older adults in the home who are facing severe cognitive decline, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. For those older people there a unique support system available that may be an option before an individual is ready for skilled care--it is often referred to as memory care or special needs assisted living.
Dementia affects the brain in ways that can make eating less appealing. According to the Alzheimer's Association, "poor nutrition may increase behavioral symptoms and cause weight loss." Some common reasons for appetite loss include:
Sensory changes – Taste and smell may diminish, making food less enjoyable
Medication side effects – Some prescriptions can alter appetite or cause nausea.
People living with dementia thrive on consistent routines and do best when normal schedules go uninterrupted. For this reason, it is possible that the recent change to Daylight Savings Time may have significantly impacted your loved one with dementia, resulting in increased confusion, disorientation, and potentially exacerbated existing symptoms like sundowning.
The demand for neurologists has long outpaced the supply of trained physicians specializing in diagnosing and treating brain conditions. For over a decade, experts have identified this growing need for neurologists nationwide and the gaps this shortage creates across our health care system.
Type 2 diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes, is a chronic disease that impacts about 34 million Americans. If left untreated or unproperly managed, a person can develop heart and kidney disease, blindness, damage to blood vessels and nerves, or an increased risk of dementia.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed among women. According to BreastCancer.Org, it is predicted that 310,720 women will be diagnosed by the end of 2024 and 84% will be 50 years or older.
