Category: Dementia

Crying, pacing or yelling are all things common to seniors with dementia. While it can be exceedingly easy to snap at them, redirecting their activities through distractions is a very useful technique that usually leaves everybody in a better mood. If you are an Oshkosh dementia caregiver, then consider using these distraction techniques.

New Activity

Boredom causes some seniors to act out. Therefore, when you notice these behaviors consider starting a new activity. Lots of activities work including reading, cooking and putting in a movie your elderly loved one enjoys.

Do a Craft

Crafts can be a great way to keep your senior loved one mentally and emotionally active. Knitting, crocheting, making home décor and many other things work very well. Soon the senior will be having so much fun that he or she will be acting much better.

Incorporate Music

Oshkosh Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers can get seniors to stop certain behaviors by getting them to do something with a silly song. Consider tapping on a table to make your song even more interesting. On the other hand, start singing your senior’s favorite song and encourage him or her to sing with you. Enjoy a short impromptu dance party by playing a tune on your smartphone.

Request Help

Seniors want to feel needed just like everyone else. Therefore, ask the senior for help doing something around the house. This can be a great time to complete a project that you have been putting off such as going through the basket of mismatched socks or tidying up around the house.

Be Humorous

Lighten your senior’s mood by using humor. Keep a list of jokes in your pocket that the senior will understand. It is important to stay on your loved one’s intellectual level. Many caregivers find that keeping short video clips from Facebook or YouTube works very well.

Remember that every technique will not work all the time with every senior. It can be very uncomfortable to try something new, but the reward is a senior that acts appropriately. Learn more about effective distraction techniques and get help for your senior loved one by calling Senior Stride Home Care at 920-717-1767. We provide flexible Alzheimer’s and dementia senior care Oshkosh, WI, families can trust to help their aging loved ones boost emotional and mental wellbeing. Let us customize a unique care plan for your loved one today.

Numerous studies have shown that seniors who do aerobic exercise on a regular basis can postpone the onset of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive disease. In fact, researchers assert it could slow down the progression of the disease. Below is everything dementia caregivers in Oshkosh, WI, need to know about aerobics and how it staves off dementia.

Aerobic Exercise at Home

There are many aerobic exercises that seniors can do at home. Some examples that a senior loved one can do at home include walking, dancing, bicycling, yoga or any other exercise that raises the heart rate. Oshkosh elderly care professionals assert that even vigorous cleaning can be used as a form of aerobic activity. The senior should aim for 30 minutes a day at least four times a week.

Cardiovascular Health

There is a strong correlation between heart health and cardiovascular disease. The healthier your loved one’s heart, the less chance he or she has of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Doing aerobics exercise has been shown to lower the risk of high cholesterol, hypertension, cerebrovascular diseases and diabetes. All of these diseases increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s by 200 percent.

Improves Task Performance

Seniors who exercise show a marked improvement in their ability to pay attention, plan and organize. Doctors feel that the increased blood flow to the brain stops or slows down the development of amyloid plaques in the brain. Research also suggests that seniors who perform aerobic exercises on a regular basis are better able to multitask.

Psychological Benefits of Aerobic Exercise

Scientists are also starting to understand that seniors with dementia feel better emotionally when they exercise regularly. The largest positive change is seen in people who have also been diagnosed with severe clinical depression. Seniors with dementia report fewer occurrences of schizophrenia and mood disorders when they raise their heart rate through exercise regularly.

Exercise is the cornerstone of senior health, and that’s not just for seniors with cognitive disorders. Help your loved one stave off dementia and maintain a balanced lifestyle with Senior Stride Home Care. In addition to helping seniors maintain healthy lifestyles, we provide flexible live-in, hourly and respite care Oshkosh families can trust to be there for seniors anytime of day or night. Call 920-717-1767 today to learn more about our unique services and how we can customize them to help your loved one.

According to a study published in The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, women who consume a certain amount of caffeine daily might be able to ward off the onset of dementia. Below is everything Oshkosh elder care providers need to know about the study and its findings.

About the Study

The study of 6,467 postmenopausal women who lived in the Wisconsin community found that those consuming over 261 milligrams of caffeine daily over the course of 10 years were 36 percent more likely to not develop dementia symptoms or other cognitive medical problems. Researchers analyzed the risk for various social conditions, such as age and education, along with various health conditions like cardiovascular disease and found that they did not influence the outcome of the study.

Where to Get Caffeine

Women over the age of 65 who would like to reduce their risk of dementia must make sure that they consume approximately 24 ounces of coffee daily. That’s the equivalent of about 40 ounces of black tea or approximately 48 ounces of soda. Women can also get caffeine from eating chocolate or coffee flavored ice cream, consuming certain power bars or drinking energy drinks. Many over-the-counter medications also contain caffeine.

Caffeine Considerations

Elderly women are urged to consider the effect that consuming that amount of caffeine may have on their bodies. For example, doctors generally recommend that a person not consume caffeine after 6pm so that they can get a restful night’s sleep. Women are also urged to consider their calorie intake because many sources of caffeine are also high in calories.

Other Caffeine Effects

According to research by the Mayo Clinic, consuming more than 500 milligrams of caffeine daily can have many negative health effects including irritability, nervousness and muscle tremors. Therefore, women may need to find a healthy balance when it comes to caffeine consumption.

As always, women will want to speak to their primary care physician before making any huge lifestyle changes. Further follow-up studies may need to be done to confirm the findings of this study, but so far it looks promising in terms of dementia prevention. Should your loved one be diagnosed with dementia or other cognitive disorders, turn to Senior Stride Home Care. We are the leading provider of Oshkosh Alzheimer’s and dementia care that boosts cognitive wellbeing and delays the onset of dementia. Call 920-710-CARE (2273) today to set up a free consultation for your loved one.

The difficulties of aging are not just limited to physical problems. Many seniors also live with cognitive issues including memory deterioration. Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia can rapidly take a toll on a senior’s cognitive function if they are left untreated, but new procedures for memory screening are highly effective for seniors even if they are not concerned about their mental health. Memory screenings are essential for the early detection of age-related dementia and help Oshkosh dementia caregivers determine how to implement care for their loved ones.

How Does Early Detection Aid in Treatment?

If a senior does have memory problems, it is better to know what the cause is as soon as possible. During a memory-screening test, a senior will be asked questions and asked to complete tasks that can determine if he or she is having the slightest difficulty with memory and cognition. This allows seniors to gain access to Alzheimer’s and dementia treatments as soon as possible, and they also have more time to make legal, financial, and healthcare decisions while they are of sound mind.

What Should You Do With Memory Screening Results?

Keep in mind that a memory-screening test is not a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s. If anything concerning is revealed during the test, you may need to take your senior loved one to see a doctor for further medical evaluation. Normally, the person conducting the memory-screening test will provide the senior with a copy of the results that he or she can share with his or her Oshkosh Alzheimer’s caregiver, primary care physician, or other healthcare professionals.

How Can You Get a Memory Screening Test?

If you think your elderly loved one could benefit from a memory-screening test, then you should look for qualified individuals conducting them in your area. There are a few different tests used by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, so there should be a physician, psychologist, pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other healthcare worker in your area who is trained in conducting these types of screenings.Should your loved one receive and Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, reach out to

Should your loved one receive and Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis, reach out to Oshkosh Home Care Assistance. We provide specialized memory care for local seniors in order to boost cognitive skills, delay the onset of dementia and encourage independence and self-esteem. Contact us at 920-717-1767 today to schedule a no-obligation consultation for your senior loved one.