The Heartwood Blog
Easing Caregiver Burden
Providing care for a family member grappling with Alzheimer's disease or dementia is a formidable undertaking, especially if you're new to the role of a full-time caregiver. While it can be a deeply fulfilling experience, it can also be overwhelmingly challenging....
Breaking Down the Myths About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a topic that often shrouds itself in myths and misconceptions. It's a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, yet the information about it can be confusing and misleading. This article aims to break down the myths surrounding...
Understanding Memory Lapses: What’s Normal and What Signals Dementia?
Memory is a crucial part of our daily lives, allowing us to retain information, recall past experiences, and make decisions. It’s normal to experience occasional memory loss, but as we age, we might become more concerned about whether these lapses are a sign of...
5 Communication Techniques for Seniors with Dementia
When someone you love has dementia, communication can be a delicate, challenging task and likely to get harder. Dementia affects memory, cognitive functions, and communication abilities, making it essential to adopt specific techniques to ensure meaningful...
Holiday Visits: Setting Family Expectations
The holidays are a time of year chock full of family get-togethers. For most, family and holidays go together like milk and Christmas cookies; and while we like to focus on the joys of the season, these gatherings can also be very stressful. Hectic, chaotic days...
The Remarkable Power of Reading for Brain Health
Our brains are our most precious organs, deserving of care and attention. We often explore various methods to nurture and maintain brain health, from vitamin regimens to regular exercise at the gym. However, one of the simplest and most effective ways to support brain...
Celebrating the Holidays in a Memory Care Community
As the holidays approach, we all hold dear to our heart the special family traditions and gatherings that bring joy to the season! Typically that involves a multi-generational family get-together for the holidays. For residents...
Sleep Troubles and Memory Loss
Sleep is a wonderful thing when you can get it – just ask any parent of a newborn and they’ll tell you how much they miss it. It’s funny how many parallels there are between the very young and the very old, including the parallels in changes in sleep cycle. For our...
Picking Movies for Seniors with Memory Loss – Three Tips
Everybody needs to sit back and unwind from time to time. What better way to relax than to enjoy a classic from the silver screen. Movies are a wonderful form of entertainment that transport us all over the world and allow us to imagine ourselves in the roles of the...