I want you to picture someone I’ll call Margaret. She’s 74 years old, sharp-witted, funny, and deeply engaged in her community. But lately, she’s been misplacing her keys more than usual. She blanked on a neighbor’s name she’s known for twenty years. She missed a…

Living alone is a choice many of us treasure—the independence, the comfort of familiar surroundings, the dignity of managing our own daily rhythms. But what happens when dementia enters this picture? As a geropsychologist who has worked with thousands of older adults navigating cognitive changes,…

What happens to a person’s sense of self when memory begins to fray? I often describe dementia as a fragmentation of self. And yet, even within that fragmentation, traces of identity persist- it is our job to look for the pieces and honor the person.…

  Suicide Risk Spikes After a Dementia Diagnosis: Here’s Why Receiving a dementia diagnosis changes everything. For many people, it brings relief—finally, there’s an explanation for the confusion, memory lapses, or personality changes that have been happening. But for others, especially in the first months…

Many older adults implement strategies, like crossword puzzles and supplements to stave off dementia, but do these strategies actually work?   Research shows that potentially 45% of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed through a series of personal and societal changes.   Because my…

With age, the thought of cognitive impairment can loom large, casting a shadow on what should be your golden years. You’re not alone in this journey. This article is dedicated to exploring the main causes of cognitive impairment in old age and providing practical, actionable…

  Imagine this scenario: you’re sitting with your loved one reminiscing about a very special time in your life and your loved one struggles to recall an important part of the story that used to bring them so much joy. Is this simply a mere…

Diving into the vast ocean of cognitive impairment in older adults can be challenging, especially when waves of denial or lack of awareness obstruct the view. As healthcare providers, we often find ourselves caught in the current, struggling to navigate these tumultuous waters. The aging…

For many people living with Parkinson’s Disease, sexual functioning can change, but intimacy doesn’t have to. I was working with a 70-something husband and wife a few months ago. The wife was living Parkinson’s Disease and had extreme tremors in her arms and hands. Her…

You’ve heard of the situation where an older adult starts to experience depressive symptoms. They become withdrawn. Their mood starts to change. They become more tearful, more sad, more nostalgic, experiencing despair. And the family is out of sorts. They don’t know what to do.…

Many people dread growing older based on assumptions they have about aging. As we age and find ourselves spending time with older adults, it is important to understand what is typical and not typical with aging, as well as the positive aspects of aging.   …

Assisted living and long-term care communities have a duty to ensure that residents’ rights of sexual autonomy and self-determination are honored and equally have a duty to protect residents from harm.   A sexual health policy helps to ensure that both standards are being met.…