Rick Phelps
Diagnosed with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s
Rick Phelps became an advocate for dementia awareness after being diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in June of 2010, at the age of 57. He was forced into early retirement and created Memory People, an online dementia and memory impairment group which supports over 7,000 individuals, all touched in some way by dementia.
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Each caregiver knows that not all long-term care facilities are created equal. However, seeking placement becomes even more challenging for a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. Ensuring the staff is properly trained is key.
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A dementia patient shares his struggles with maintaining a positive attitude and identifies with caregivers who witness this devastating effects of this disease.
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Caregivers and professionals may brush over the past due to a loved one's dementia diagnosis. However, even if they can't remember much, the past can also be a helpful tool for meaningful communication.
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Life happens. Be sure you have a backup plan (or two or three) in case you are not able to care for your loved one, whether it’s for just a day, a week, or however long. Read more from the perspective of living with dementia...
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Amazon's latest interactive electronic device may help dementia patients with some of their confusion and keep them engaged. This gadget may also help caregivers manage repetitive dementia behaviors and stay organized.
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A dementia patient’s perspective on shadowing, repeating questions and dealing with other troubling behaviors associated with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
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Relationships are often strained when a serious illness and caregiving enter the picture. But, if your interactions with certain relatives are increasingly stressful and negative, it may be time to shut down family drama once and for all.
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Sleep disorders are extremely common for Alzheimer's and dementia patients as their condition worsens. A patient provides an inside perspective on why fellow sufferers may avoid sleep, end up wandering or act out at night.
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While caregivers and their loved ones affected by dementia should not give up hope of leading rewarding and enjoyable lives, it is important to be realistic about an Alzheimer's or dementia diagnosis.
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Understanding a dementia patient’s unique perspective can help ensure you are doing all you can to address their needs. These eight simple requests are what I want my family, friends and the public to know about me and other people living with dementia.
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An initial diagnosis is devastating, but as the disease progresses and one's abilities fall by the wayside, the reality of one's situation becomes strikingly clear. Coping with these new limitations and holding onto hope is all we can do, and we must continue to do so.
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Wearing purple, using hashtags and changing your profile picture on social media won't end Alz, but there are other significant ways that you can have a beneficial impact on patients and families who are dealing with dementia.
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The use of politically correct, inclusive and unbiased language is a growing trend in America. But what happens when we try to apply these constructs to terminology addressing Alzheimer's, other dementias and family caregiving?
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Alzheimer's and dementia affect more than just a person's memory. The brain also begins having trouble receiving and processing sensory information. Changes in vision and perception can be scary and disorienting for the patient and complicate caregiving.
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Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are unlike any other conditions. Instead of straightforward symptoms like physical pain, the discomfort that patients experience is mental and emotional.
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A dementia diagnosis in itself often catches patients and their families off guard. Unfortunately, the surprises only continue as a loved one's condition progresses, and it can take a lot of strength to accept that their future cannot be defined.
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Driving is a privilege, not a right. Many patients can and do drive in the early stages of dementia, however it is a progressive disease. It is imperative that caregivers watch for signs that clearly show their loved ones should no longer be driving.
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Sundowning can happen with dementia patients year-round, but during autumn and winter, the effects can be magnified due to shorter, darker days. Be aware of the causes of and treatments for this dementia-related behavior.
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Alzheimer's and dementia often cause difficult behavioral changes that can easily become dangerous for both patients and their caregivers. Notifying the local police and EMS of your loved one's condition can help them better handle potential emergencies.
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For seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, the time change each fall may exacerbate symptoms of sundowning. Less daylight and modifications to one’s daily routine often bring added emotional, behavioral and cognitive difficulties.