Understanding What They're Facing

Mixed dementia — when it's more than one thing

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your neurologist uses the word promising. Your mother's memory loss might respond to medication. It might

Understanding What They're Facing

Vascular dementia — when strokes steal cognition piece by piece

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia, but it works differently from Alzheimer's

Understanding What They're Facing

Lewy body dementia — the one nobody talks about enough

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Lewy body dementia is the third most common cause of dementia, after Alzheimer's disease and vascular

Understanding What They're Facing

Alzheimer's disease — what it is, what it isn't, and what to expect

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, but that doesn't mean you

Understanding What They're Facing

The stages of Alzheimer's — what each one actually looks like day to day

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Reading about the stages of Alzheimer's can feel abstract until you're actually living through

The Wake-Up Call

Starting a care journal — why it matters more than you think

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. At some point in the first few weeks after your parent's health changes, someone will suggest

Understanding What They're Facing

Dementia explained — the umbrella term and what falls under it

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You've probably heard the word "dementia" used to describe what's happening with

The Wake-Up Call

When the diagnosis is unclear — living with uncertainty

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. One of the most disorienting situations is when something is clearly wrong with your parent, but nobody can

The Wake-Up Call

Getting a second opinion without offending anyone

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You're sitting in a doctor's office. The doctor has just said something that disturbs

The Wake-Up Call

Finding local resources you didn't know existed — Area Agencies on Aging and beyond

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. When your parent's health changes, one of the first things you'll discover is that

The Wake-Up Call

The emotional first month — what you're feeling is normal

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. There's a moment after your parent's health changes where everything feels surreal. On the

The Wake-Up Call

Telling siblings and family — managing different reactions

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You've had the conversation with your parent. Or you've tried to. You've