Dementia is best described as a loss of intellectual or cognitive (thinking) functions within the brain. Those who suffer dementia are, quite often, confused and easily irritated. They may not be able to recognize their family members of friends, they become lost, even in surroundings that should be familiar to...

Depression is very common among caregivers. This is because being a caregiver is a largely thankless job, and it is very difficult emotionally. Many different feelings come up while you’re caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s, from stress and anger, to guilt and grief. Unfortunately, all of those emotions lead...

Alzheimer’s is a very frightening neurodegenerative disease that slowly robs a person of their memories, their rationality and their ability to perform even the simplest of tasks. Just as frightening is the knowledge that, not only can we not cure it or slow its effects, but that we do not...

Hospice is unfamiliar to a lot of people, and understandably so. Rather than attempting to cure people, hospice attempts to make the last stages of an incurable disease as enjoyable as possible, choosing to treat the person rather than treating the disease. Because of this, hospice is considered one of...

Because Alzheimer’s disease is difficult to diagnose, and because it shares symptoms with so many other conditions, doctors use a set group of criteria to determine if a patient is suffering from possible Alzheimer’s disease, probable Alzheimer’s disease, or another kind of dementia altogether. The characteristics doctors use to judge...

Alzheimer’s and dementia patients suffer from a debilitating condition that robs them of their intellectual capacity as well as the ability to accomplish everyday tasks. Imagine the frustration these patients must feel and then assume that their caregivers must feel the same amount of frustration, if not more. Not only...

With so many myths about mental illnesses being spread today, one area of uncertainty lies in the differences between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is defined as “a form of degenerative brain disease resulting in progressive mental deterioration with disorientation, memory disturbance and confusion.” Some definitions of Alzheimer’s disease...

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can often leave a patient and their loved ones feeling desperate and searching for any treatment or cure they can find. Unfortunately, like all chronic and terminal illnesses, there is a wealth of misinformation, and in some cases, individuals looking to profit off of families’...

Stem cell research is a highly contentious issue. Stem cell research involves the use of cells from human embryos that are a few days old, and occasionally, cells from fetuses greater than eight weeks old. Opponents of embryonic stem cell research compare it to abortion because the cells are capable...

Alzheimer’s disease is a frightening illness. It is incurable, and it slowly, gradually, and unstoppably ravages a patient’s ability to communicate, remember events, function in society, or simply make sound judgments. As a result, the patient will be dependent on loved ones to gradually take care of her or him,...