dementia | Millennium Memory Care

Challenges with Challenging Behaviors

Posted on October 20, 2020October 21, 2020 by Michael Barry

Dementia care is becoming ever more needed in an increasing variety of settings including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, boarding homes, rehab centers and of course, in the homes of friends and neighbors. It is crucial to understand what the best care setting is for someone with behavioral dementia. In my support groups, I frequently meet caregivers who ask this very question. Many ...
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Can Improving Hearing Impact Cognitive Health?

Posted on October 7, 2020October 7, 2020 by Michael Barry

A slow loss of hearing ability is generally viewed as a normal and accepted part of aging. It is an unfortunate reality many of us will face as we get older. About two-thirds of Americans experience some hearing loss by the time they reach their 70s. It is perceived to be so inevitable that many do not seek any treatment or remedy for hearing loss. In fact, less than 15-20 percent of people diagno...
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Talking to Kids About a Dementia Diagnosis

Posted on September 29, 2020September 30, 2020 by Michael Barry

Little boy telling a secret to his great grandmother in a blossoming orchard

Dealing with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is a challenge for both the patient and their loved ones. But even as you and your loved ones learn to come to terms with the diagnosis, don’t forget to keep the children in your life involved. While you may feel an impulse to protect children from the situation, trying to hide the truth could make things worse. Children are often keen...
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Caring for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

Posted on September 15, 2020September 16, 2020 by Michael Barry

It is no secret that the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to rise along with the growing population of seniors. There are currently an estimated 5.4 million Americans with Alzheimer’s, a number expected to reach over 13 million by 2050. With more individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, there will also be increasing need for care. Di...
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Can Speaking a Second Language Protect Against Alzheimer’s?

Posted on September 8, 2020September 9, 2020 by Michael Barry

A recent study, “The impact of bilingualism on brain reserve and metabolic connectivity in Alzheimer’s dementia,” which appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that speaking more than one language may protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. In the study, bilingual subjects performed significantly better on memory tests than their single-language peer...
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Alzheimer’s and Art Therapy

Posted on September 1, 2020September 2, 2020 by Michael Barry

People often think art is for the elite, only important if created by one of The Masters, hangs in a museum, and is perfect. This is incorrect. Studies show that art, and making art, is important because it engages the mind, helps hand-eye coordination, and reduces anxiety and stress. It’s a form of self-expression and communication. Art is for everyone. The benefits that come from cr...
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Psychiatric Care or the Right Care?

Posted on August 25, 2020August 26, 2020 by Michael Barry

Shot of a young doctor comforting a sad senior man in a nursing house

In my 25 years of practice with geriatric populations suffering from dementia, I have learned that patience, proper timing of medications, close observation of immediate needs and an individualized approach are the keys to success in managing difficult cases of dementia. Families often ask me how we can manage 16 residents in one home, especially with so many having advanced dementia and exhibitin...
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6 Tips for Living with Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted on August 4, 2020August 5, 2020 by Michael Barry

Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be stressful and scary. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, meaning it cannot be reversed or cured. However, some medications available today can help alleviate symptoms for some patients in earlier stages of the disease. Understanding what to expect can help individuals adjust to living with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s News Today offers the follo...
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Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Music

Posted on July 28, 2020July 29, 2020 by Michael Barry

Music is an important part of our lives. We often associate certain sounds and music with significant events or personal milestones. A familiar piece of music can evoke vivid recollections and strong emotions. Music can make us feel euphoric, thoughtful or even melancholy. We are, in fact, highly musical beings. The auditory system in our brains is the first to fully function. Music and sounds ...
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Alzheimer’s May Reduce Ability to Perceive Pain

Posted on July 21, 2020July 22, 2020 by Michael Barry

Researchers at Vanderbilt University recently reported in BMC Medicine that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease exhibited a reduced ability to detect and recognize pain. The three-year study at Vanderbilt examined two groups of adults aged 65 and older: one group diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and a second group with no signs of Alzheimer’s. Participants were asked to report pain levels re...
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