If you or someone in your family is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, you know that things that might have once been easy or routine all of a sudden become new challenges. Alzheimer’s patients and their families need to take some extra safety precautions to ensure that they are safe in their homes and that they have everything they need to …
Holidays and Gifts
Alzheimer’s disease affects every aspect of your family and community life. Your holiday observances are no exception. Holidays can be bittersweet for families affected by Alzheimer’s. The holiday season may bring mixed feelings and concerns about your loved one’s needs, his or her capacity to be involved in holiday festivities and your expectations for the experience. Holiday memories from before …
Qualifying for Social Security Disability with Alzheimer’s Disease
If you or someone you love has Alzheimer’s disease, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers monthly benefits to people who are no longer able to work due to a serious disability. You may be eligible for financial aid to help pay for any medical costs, childcare, in-home nursing, rent or a …
Miraculous Music
Allen Power, M.D. has redefined dementia from the perspective of the person living with dementia as, “Dementia is a shift in the way a person experiences the world around her/him.” What a universal human experience music can be. Music connects us with others who are present as well as connecting us with memories. Rhythm is usually preserved in a person …
Celebrating the 25th Annual Travis County Alzheimer’s Texas Walk
Alzheimer’s Texas (formerly known as the Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas Chapter) has served Central Texas for over 30 years. This year, we commemorate two important anniversaries: the 25th Annual Alzheimer’s Texas Walk in Travis County, and the very first year that 100% proceeds for all 5 of our Walks will remain here in Central Texas, to be used …
Working with Facility Staff
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the person’s needs change, and the time will likely come when you aren’t able to care for your loved one at home. Ensuring that your loved one receives the care they need by finding an appropriate long-term care setting doesn’t mean that you’re no longer a critical component of their care team. On the contrary, you …
Helping Your Loved One Adjust to an In-Home Caregiver
As Alzheimer’s progresses, the person with the disease will likely need a level of supervision and assistance that one caregiver can’t provide without assistance. Often, this situation necessitates that professional caregivers come into the home. It’s not uncommon for people with dementia to resist this change. Having to spend the day with a person you’ve never met and allowing them …
#ALZTXmemories Photo Contest!
For 32 years, Alzheimer’s Texas has been a resource for people and families in Austin facing the challenge of dementia. We are committed to providing the services our community needs, and support for research that will one day make Alzheimer’s itself just a memory. We’re so committed to the needs of this community that, earlier this year, we separated from …
Sundowning
Caregivers might notice that their loved one is especially agitated or confused during the late afternoon or early evening. The person might to get anxious, restless, irritable, demanding, or suspicious around the time of day when the sun goes down. Studies indicate that as many as 20% of people with dementia experience this symptom. End-of-day confusion and agitation, or “sundowning” …
Healthy Family Communication
Unproductive communication styles can take years to develop, so that by the time a family really needs to work together to care for a loved one with a dementing illness they’re hamstrung by toxic interpersonal dynamics. A family can have all the resources they need to provide for the person with dementia, but if they can’t agree on the right …