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Alzheimer’s Caregivers: Amy’s Story

Amy is a caregiver for her father, who has Alzheimer’s. Courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association, here is Amy’s story:     In 2002, my dad was in a bad car accident with his uncle and two others in Florida. He ended up having eight broken ribs, and a broken collar bone. Not too long after the accident, I noticed …

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Could Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids Raise Dementia Risk?

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds a strong link between high dosage use of anticholinergic drugs and risk of dementia in seniors. Several over-the-counter sleep aids and the antihistamine Benadryl are anticholinergics.     Shelly Gray, a professor at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, and her team tracked about 3,500 …

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Early-Onset Alzheimer’s: What You Need to Know

Julianne Moore’s portrayal in Still Alice of a woman with early-onset Alzheimer’s has already won a Golden Globe and been nominated for an Oscar. Many now hope that the film will raise awareness of this rarer form of Alzheimer’s. In that spirit, here is what you need to know:     Alzheimer’s comes in middle-age, …

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Meet the Woman behind “Still Alice”

Actress Julianne Moore has already won a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for her performance as a woman with early onset Alzheimer’s in “Still Alice”. But Moore didn’t do it on her own; she received key advice from real-life Alzheimer’s patient Sandy Oltz.     Oltz was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s when she …

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5 Little-Known Warning Signs of Dementia

It is important to look for early indicators of possible dementia so that you can begin treatment faster. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these warning signs, speak to a doctor:       You’re feeling depressed: A new study examining about 2,400 seniors found that those who report symptoms of …

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Study Explores Possible Link between Alzheimer’s and Depression, Irritability

A new study has suggested that symptoms of depression could indicate a future Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Over a period of seven years, scientists from the Washington University School of Medicine examined over 2,400 seniors, half of whom developed dementia.     The patients who eventually received a dementia diagnosis exhibited behavioral and emotional symptoms, such as …

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Practical Advice All Alzheimer’s Caregivers Should Know

As Alzheimer’s progresses and a person’s abilities gradually dwindle, caregivers have the particularly difficult job of making sure the patient feels safe and valued. Here are some pragmatic tips which can help you provide the care your loved one needs:     Simplicity     As once-simple problems become increasingly difficult for the patient, he …

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UK Researchers Use Verbal Cues in Dementia Diagnoses

  Researchers in the UK have developed a method of verbal analysis that may help determine whether or not a patient’s described memory loss is due to early dementia.     Consultant Neurologist Dr. Daniel Blackburn of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says of his own clinic, “Six years ago one in five patients …

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