How to use "body memories"

The body remembers many things that the conscious mind seems to have forgotten. You can use these "body memories" to your advantage. They can help someone with dementia begin or continue an activity.

At meal time, for example, try handing over a fork to begin the eating process if your loved one simply sits and stares at the plate. Instead of asking, "Did you brush your teeth?" give a toothbrush with the paste already on it, while standing in front of a sink with the water running. Sometimes just getting started can be enough to enable him or her to complete the task.

10 Ways to Live Normally With a Leaky Bladder

Retrain your brain, your muscles, and your habits to control an over active bladder.

1. Be sure you're not drinking too much -- or too little
2. Identify and avoid your trigger food(s)
3. Get the knack
4. Keep on kegeling
5. Visualize delay
6. Quit Smoking
7. Treat your bladder the same seven days a week
8. Make sure all of your doctors know about new prescriptions
9. Wear tampons or pads for extra security
10. Get the right diagnosis

Read more - http://www.caring.com/articles/leaky-bladder

Dementia Patients taking Medications

3 Smart tips for making sure someone with dementia takes medications properly.




1. Stay nearby someone with dementia when giving meds. You want to be sure they're taken and not ignored, thrown away, or fed to the dog.

2. Make sure your loved one drinks enough water. Not drinking enough can cause pills to become lodged in the esophagus, sometimes causing a damaging "burn" or leading to choking. If you simply set a glass down next to the pills, the person with dementia might forget to sip after the first swallow. Keep gently reminding him or her to take a drink until the glass is finished.

3. Don't let the person lie down immediately. It's smart to stay upright in a chair for 15 or 20 minutes after taking meds.

Fun Family Activity

Looking for a fun activity for a family gathering, or just to pass the time alone with your loved one? Try playing "Name That Tune." Collect a good selection of songs the person with dementia would recognize, because they're favorites or were popular during the person's youth. Throw in some holiday classics, Broadway or musical show tunes, "Happy Birthday," or even hymns and nursery songs. (You can do this with a CD collection or a special playlist created on iTunes.) Start the first song and encourage everyone to guess it. You might forewarn the others to give the person with dementia a chance -- or you might be pleasantly surprised by how many musical memories leap quickly to mind. (This is also a great game to play with almost anyone who can play piano and has a repertoire of popular tunes.)

Nutrition and Aging

5 Ways Your Nutritional Needs Change as You Age

1. You need more protein
2. You don't absorb certain vitamins and nutrients as well
3. You need fewer calories and more nutrient-dense foods as you age
4. You need more fiber
5. You don't feel thirsty - but you become dehydrated more easily

Click here to read more.