Modify Activities for People Living With Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association explains that a person with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia shouldn’t give up the activities they love. Rather they suggest the better option is to modify the activity to better fit their skill set and current ability. 

However, even in the early stages of the disease, many withdraw from the activities they used to enjoy but experts say it is important to help them stay engaged. A modification can be as simple as reducing the number of people the person socializes with at a time. Smaller groups are less intimidating and reduce confusion. Also, it helps to let the person’s other family members and friends know about the diagnosis.   

As the disease progresses, other changes will likely be in order. If you notice an activity that seems to make them restless or irritable, either modify so it brings them happiness or stop it altogether. For instance, while a person’s skills may decline, someone who plays the piano may still enjoy playing the simple pieces they learned years ago.

Dementia care specialists say setting up a daily routine is important and should include the things they like to do on their own such as setting the table or folding laundry and be done when the person seems to function the best. Remember to be flexible and include a range of creative, physical, social and spiritual activities that bring meaning and enjoyment into their life.   

Along with assisted living, MorningStar at West San Jose offers specialized care to individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases.  Our secure and loving Reflections Neighborhood can provide the care your family member needs at the onset of the disease through to the most advanced stages where the highest level of care is required.  

MorningStar’s compassionate caregivers use gentle, resident-directed methods to calm and awaken memories and to support each resident’s capabilities.  Common techniques include using multi-sensory cues such as aromatherapy as well as a range of meaningful and purposeful activities that incorporate art, dance, music, exercise and life skills. Please visit our website for more information about MorningStar’s memory care in San Jose, CA. 

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living and memory care in San Jose, CA.

Source: alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/daily-care-plan

The Whole Family is Affected by Alzheimer's Disease

When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it is devastating news for all.  Family members may quickly start experiencing feelings of grief as they recognize their life is about to be changed by the disease and are uneasy about what the future will hold.  Most are left with questions about what to expect next.  

As Alzheimer’s begins to take away the person we know and love, the Alzheimer’s Association explains that, “you'll mourn him or her and may experience the different phases of grieving: denial, anger, guilt, sadness and acceptance.”  They remind us that feelings of grief do not come in a specific order but rather we go in and out of the various stages.

Feelings of denial include unrealistically hoping the person is not ill or expecting them to get better.  Others try to convince themselves their loved one has not changed or try to normalize and make excuses for their behaviors.  Anger may include being frustrated with the person or feeling abandoned.  You may also experience feelings of resentment with the demands of caregiving and/or resent others who are not helping with care.   

Guilt includes having unrealistic thoughts about what you should have done or feeling guilty if you do not visit every day.  A spouse that is well and still able to enjoy life may feel guilty that their husband or wife is no longer able to do so.  Others may have negative feelings such as wishing the person would die or go away.  

The Alzheimer’s Association says you need to face both your positive as well as negative feelings.  They also say to be prepared to go through feelings of loss more than once as the disease progresses.  Remember your grief is a part of your journey, and if you need help, talk with someone about your feelings.  

Along with assisted living, MorningStar of West San Jose will offer compassionate and loving Alzheimers care to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.  Our memory care residents will be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and spend each day in an atmosphere that celebrates and elevates their lives. Please visit our website for more information about our beautiful new senior living community scheduled to open in June.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating true homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest senior living in San Jose, CA.

Clinical Trial Results Show Promise for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

Researchers from pharmaceutical companies Biogen and Eisai announced promising results from a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease. They report a monoclonal antibody treatment, called lecanemab, “reduced cognitive decline by 27% in people with early-stage Alzheimer’s compared with those on a placebo after a year and a half.” 

While there a still a lot of questions as earlier studies with similar drugs have cleared amyloid plaques in the brain, which are clumps of protein that disrupt neurons and other cells, but they have not helped Alzheimer’s patient’s symptoms. According to researchers, lecanemab is the first to do so; however, the study only included 1795 people in early-stage Alzheimer’s. 

Scientists say one reason why lecanemab is showing positive results while other similar drugs have not, is because it works a bit differently. Jonathan Jackson, a cognitive neuroscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) explains the drug aducanumab primarily binds to amyloid protein after it has clumped together. Lecanemab starts working in an earlier stage, targeting “protofibrils.” These are strands that will most likely consolidate into plaque but haven’t done so yet. 

Although there are still a lot of questions regarding the efficacy of lecanemab, doctors hope future studies will provide a clearer picture. Meanwhile, people and their families who participated in the study expressed gratitude at having the opportunity to be a part of a study “where the drug actually worked, against a backdrop of repeated failures to develop effective Alzheimer’s medications.”

MorningStar of San Jose assisted living and alzheimers care community is scheduled to open in the spring of 2023. Our beautiful new community will provide all the luxury amenities, alzheimers care services, and wellness programs residents need to age in place comfortably and safely. Please contact us to learn more about exceptional senior living at MorningStar. We look forward to hearing from you.

MorningStar of San Jose’s mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide outstanding assisted living and alzheimers care.

Sources: 

science.org/content/article/five-big-questions-about-new-alzheimer-s-treatment

statnews.com/2022/10/20/front-of-alzheimers-patients-in-successful-drug-trial/