In a brave, recent announcement Sandra Day O’Connor stated publicly via a letter that she has been living with cognitive impairment that is likely Alzheimer’s disease. It was her choice to bring awareness to her new diagnosis, reflect on her career, and note her goals for the future. Justice O’Connor cast her vote on several […]
If you were diagnosed with dementia, what kind of care would you want to receive? Dr. Barak Gaster has created a dementia-specific advance directive document that addresses that difficult question. The document emphasizes patient education by outlining what patients are likely to experience in each stage of the disease. Journalist Paula Span recently published an […]
Alzheimer’s disease is a formidable, national epidemic. The non-profit Alzheimer’s Association, and its sister organization, Alzheimer’s Impact Moment (AIM), estimate that $259 billion is spent per year and that 5.5 million Americans are living with this disease. AIM seeks to advance public policies, research, and overall care and support required to best meet the […]
Country performer Glen Campbell was a longtime celebrity, known in the public eye for his hit songs. In 2011, Campbell decided to make his journey as a man living with Alzheimer’s disease another major part of his legacy. Like legendary basketball coach Pat Summit, who passed away in 2016, Campbell and his family spoke out […]
No matter the mode of transportation, traveling with a loved one who has dementia differs greatly from traveling with other friends and family members. Preparing the necessary resources for a long trip that crosses state lines can be daunting for caregivers. The Administration on Aging (AoA) recognized this need along with the countless additional needs […]
David Cassidy has been a presence seen in countless households for nearly fifty years thanks to the television show, The Partridge Family. After spending the time to come to terms with his diagnosis of dementia, he decided to publically reveal that he has been living with the same disease that took his mother’s life about […]
Making the life-changing decision to “give up the keys” and stop driving a vehicle for the remainder of your life is certainly a difficult decision. Being able to drive is a freedom that has likely been enjoyed for a majority of an older adult’s life and taking that away can lead to isolation and dependency. […]
Caregivers for those living with dementia are all over the country. Caregivers range in age, ethnicity, geography, income, and education. While research theories have been done about what the large, diverse population of caregivers looks like and what they are faced with, there is one thing we know for sure. Dementia does not discriminate. It […]
When discussing estate planning with our clients, we always explain the need to prepare for the possibility of requiring long-term care, and the daunting costs of such care. As Americans are living longer, more and more of us are spending a significant portion of our later life in a long-term care facility. These facilities are […]
As a long-time spouse, taking on the role of caregiver can be an extremely difficult process that many couples simply do not foresee. Journalist Tara Bahrampour highlighted the conversations held among families about future long-term care steps in her recent Washington Post article called “Promise you’ll never put me in a nursing home.” Having witnessed […]