National Alzheimer's Plan a call for action – before it's too late

Imagine a time when Alzheimer’s is diagnosed in the very earliest stages, a treatment is prescribed – and it works.

Imagine a time when your doctor recommends ways to prevent Alzheimer’s – and it helps. Imagine a time when every other senior citizen you see or hear about is not suffering from this ugly disease that steals our parents and makes them our children. read more...

Aging America: How dry they are —
dehydration a concern for elderly

As we welcome the new year – and plan how to get our elderly parents safely and comfortably through another Michigan winter -- let’s remember one of the easiest things we can do for them can help avoid a serious situation.

Dehydration is something we tend to think about in hot weather and rarely worry about this time of year. But my aunt’s hospitalization just before Christmas reminded me how important it is for the elderly to drink lots of water and eat right to keep electrolytes in balance. read more...

Home for the holidays, many issues
with parents suddenly become clearer

As I put up our tree on Sunday, I remembered just how different our Christmases were just a few short years ago -- when Dad was alive and he and Mom were independent. Three years ago that was the case. By Christmas of 2009, however, everything had changed. That was the year Mom's dementia kicked into high gear (following a fall, surgery and repeated hospitalizations) and Dad, try as he might, realized he could no longer manage alone. read more...