By Austin McKee, LMSW Aging naturally brings changes to our thinking, but how can we tell when those changes signal something more serious? While a slight slowdown in processing speed is a normal part of aging, dementia is not. The challenge lies in distinguishing between typical age-related changes and the early signs of dementia. Because some dementia symptoms can resemble …

By Austin McKee, LMSW Ellie’s Story Joan, a retired teacher in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s, was known for her gentle disposition and love of puzzles. One evening, her daughter, Ellie, noticed a change in Joan’s behavior. Joan refused to work on their puzzle, paced the room anxiously and accused Ellie of taking her favorite coffee mug. Her typically calm …

By Austin McKee, LMSW Disenfranchised Grief Watching a loved one forget the shared world you built together is an unimaginable loss—one that only those who have experienced it can truly understand. While grief is often associated with death, what happens when someone is still physically present, but their memories and connections begin to fade? Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias often …

Lewy Body Dementia: Causes and Challenges in Diagnosis Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is a complex and progressive brain disorder caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins called Lewy bodies. LBD is one of the most common forms of dementia, affecting roughly 1.4 million people in the United States, leaving a profound impact on both patients and their families.1 Diagnosing LBD …

Vascular Dementia: Impact of Blood Flow to the Brain Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia. While it shares symptoms with Alzheimer’s disease, like changes in cognition, the underlying cause is different. Vascular dementia results from restricted blood flow to the brain, leading to irreversible brain damage.1 Cardiovascular issues—such as strokes, small vessel disease, and hypertension—are the …

Alzheimer’s Disease: The Leading Type of Dementia Alzheimer’s disease is the leading type of dementia, affecting an estimated 6.9 million people in the United States.1 This condition is driven by the buildup of harmful proteins—amyloid plaques and tau tangles—in the brain. Over time, these proteins cause brain tissue to shrink, particularly in areas responsible for memory and thinking. The hippocampus, …

Introduction to Dementia When we hear the term “dementia,” Alzheimer’s disease often comes to mind first. However, it’s important to clarify that dementia and Alzheimer’s are not synonymous. Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a general classification used to categorize symptoms associated with cognitive decline.1 Often referred to as an “umbrella term,” dementia includes over 100 different conditions, …

By Joan Asseff, LCSW-S Definitions and Broader Impact on Older Adults Profound adverse health and mental health challenges stemming from the COVID19 pandemic are still a daily reality for many people living in the U.S. and globally. Large studies of the general population during the pandemic showed that many people experienced uncontrolled fears related to infection, pervasive anxiety, frustration, boredom, …