When Was Your Last Day Off?

In the summer, we all think of vacation, a break, a day off. I wonder, though: How often can you take a day off? Please vote in our poll, below, and share any additional thoughts in our comments section. Take Our Poll Resources We’re taking submissions for our Caregiving Art Show and our Help book! Be sure to share your art and your story with the world. Our 2011 Family Caregiver Survey report offers a snapshot...

Tips for Communicating with Dementia

On Tuesday morning, I attended a terrific presentation by Dan Kuhn, author of The Art of Dementia Care and Alzheimer’s Early Stages: First Steps for Family, Friends and Caregivers. Dan offered tips to use when communicating with an individual with dementia or Alzheimer’s. He offered a perspective on what it’s like for a caree with dementia: Imagine, Dan said, you are traveling to a foreign country...

Alzheimer’s Diagnostic Guidelines Updated

For the first time in 27 years, clinical diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease dementia have been revised, and research guidelines for earlier stages of the disease have been characterized to reflect a deeper understanding of the disorder. The National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer’s Association Diagnostic Guidelines for Alzheimer’s Disease outline some new approaches for clinicians and provide...

Survey Says Caregiving a Chance to Give Back

One-half of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia surveyed for a new caregiver study find an equal balance of positive and negative experiences in their caregiving. One-third (33 percent) say their caregiving experience is more positive than negative. The 2011 report, “Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s or Dementia,” which was presented at a briefing on Capitol Hill today,...

Survey Results: 44% Know of Someone with Alzheimer’s

MetLife Foundation released survey results today that reveal Americans’ fear of Alzheimer’s is second only to cancer.  “What America Thinks: The MetLife Foundation Alzheimer’s Survey,” a report conducted by Harris Interactive, found that most people are not preparing for the strong possibility that they or their family members will develop Alzheimer’s, despite significant fear...

Tell Us: Do You Call Yourself “Victim”?

On Good Morning America yesterday, Maria Shriver shared the stories of family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s. During the segment, Maria said: Family caregivers are victims, too. I worry when we throw out terms like “victims” and apply them to family caregivers. A victim, in my mind, is powerless in a situation or circumstance. Once you give up your power, you’ve given...

It’s Us Against Alzheimer’s

Yesterday morning, USAgainstAlzheimer’s launched its campaign to erase Alzheimer’s by 2020. Between now and 2020, the organization said, more than 2 trillion will be spent caring for those with the disease and less than $5 billion will be invested by NIH in stopping this disease. USAgainstAlzheimer’s wants “to give a political voice to the American people who can no longer tolerate the lack of...

Knowing, So You Know What To Do

Caring.com released interesting stats today from research it recently completed with 1,100 family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease. The most interesting to me: About half of the surveyed family caregivers don’t know or aren’t sure which stage of Alzheimer’s disease their caree is in. Oh, my! Knowing is a good part of the battle. Knowing makes it easier to find acceptance, solutions...

On World Alzheimer’s Day, Words from a Researcher

It’s World Alzheimer’s Day. Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) released latest facts and figures about the disease: The worldwide costs of dementia will exceed 1% of global GDP in 2010, at $604 billion. If dementia care were a country, it would be the world’s 18th largest economy. If it were a company, it would be the world’s largest by annual revenue exceeding Wal-Mart ($414...

Recovery Funds Advance Alzheimer’s Disease Research

American Recovery and Reinvestment Funds are being used to promote the national research efforts to better understand, diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has targeted promising areas of research in granting the awards, such as new and ongoing studies to identify additional risk factor genes associated with...

A Short Film with a Big Message

The Alzheimer’s Daily News included a link to the video, below, in today’s briefings. It’s a short, foreign film (with sub-titles) that reminds us to love, especially during those moments when we don’t think we can. Please sure to let us know what you think of the video; include your feedback in our comments section. Related articles Early Alzheimer’s Rises for Under-65-Year-Olds...