Cognitive Decline

My cognitive impairment is making everyday tasks--such as assembling furniture from IKEA--nearly impossible.

I will continue to blog about my experiences with cognitive impairment, even though medical tests have ruled out Alzheimer's disease as the cause of my issues.

Following the shocking news that my cognitive impairment doesn't appear to be caused by Alzheimer's disease, it appears as though this experience is still teaching me new things.

I just received some startling news about the source of my cognitive impairment; causing me to question my experiences over the past few years.

We all make mistakes, but Alzheimer's can cause some embarrassing mishaps. In some ways, Alzheimer's is forcing me to let go of perfectionism.

The Alzheimer's disease progression is different for each person who experiences it; and this disease is seriously beginning to affect my daily life.

An Alzheimer's diagnosis, while crushingly difficult to cope with for caregivers and sufferers alike, can be the source of hidden benefits--if you know where to look.

My grandchildren have adopted a refreshing way of handling the effects of their grandfather's Alzheimer's disease.

As a former physician, I treasured my intellect and always thought that an Alzheimer's diagnosis would be one of the worst things that could happen to me. Now I'm being forced to face my greatest fear.

I'm looking to the future and wondering how "aware" I'll be once I reach the advanced stages of Alzheimer's.

I'm beginning to have concerns that my dementia may not only be impacting my behavior, but my overall sense of self, as well.

Being diagnosed with cognitive impairment (most likely Alzheimer's disease) has, in a way, freed me of a life-long fear of humiliating myself.

Keeping a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia entertained and engaged can be difficult. A few simple guidelines and some creativity can help dementia caregivers find things to do with their elderly parents.

Learn the differences between delirium and dementia, including how quickly symptoms appear and their effects on attention and memory.

Dementia is not a normal part of getting older. Learn how age-related changes in the brain differ from those associated with various dementias.

Family caregivers often struggle to reposition and transfer elders with very limited mobility, thereby endangering their own health and that of their loved ones. Patient lift assist devices help prevent falls and injuries and may be covered by Medicare.

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.

We all lose track of time once in a while. But, for a dementia patient, time is their greatest enemy.

I have been my mother's caregiver for the past 16 years. Along the way, I and have learned many things about dementia. I have jotted them down here to share with you.

Perhaps Alzheimer's is not a fate worse than death, even though so many people believe that it is. Here's how I think society can get beyond this type of thinking.