Alzheimer's Foundation of America

In the News

Find articles and reports that can be helpful for you and those you care for…

Alzheimer’s disease is not the same as dementia

Fear and anxiety permeate the walls of the memory clinic where I work as a geriatrician. Patients and families dread the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease and a future they won’t recognize. Residents of Long Island — where studies show 1 in 8 seniors has Alzheimer’s, a proportion higher than more than 70% of counties nationwide — share that concern.

Caregiver Matchmaking: Choosing a Caregiver

Volume 18, Number 1

Choosing a caregiver for a loved one with memory loss should be about creating a relationship between the two, one that is built not just on skills but ideally will involve creativity, flexibility and mutual interests.

“What’s most challenging is finding people who really have a genuine passion for the work,” says Joe Fisher, founder and CEO of Renewal Memory Partners who has 15 years of experience matching caregivers and receivers. “Many people are just looking for a paycheck. You want to find people who view this work as a calling. That brings a totally different energy to the work that is felt by the clients.”

Caregiver Creativity: Connecting Through Legos

Volume 18, Number 1

Loretta Veney was five when her mother gave her Legos to play with. Little did either know then that those colorful plastic bricks would be part of a lifelong bond between them and would eventually send Veney into a career path she never could have foreseen.

The bricks, given without any instructions, were meant to make the child creative but they became therapeutic for the mother, who often suffered from depression. “If she had a bad day at work, we got the Legos out. We talked through things with the Legos.”

Do You Have to Choose Between Work and Caregiving?

Volume 18, Number 1

According to the National Council on Aging, 70% of caregivers who provide care for an aging loved one suffer work-related difficulties due to their dual roles—they take time off, forgo promotions and sometimes leave the workforce altogether. Employees lose up to $3 trillion in wages and benefits while employers lose $17-33 billion due to absenteeism and turnover.

Read mor e…

The Healing Power of a Pet: Pets and Alzheimer’s disease

Volume 18, Number 1

Team Suzy makes a difference with the help of AFA grant funding. Alzheimer’s TODAY sat with Mike Plaskey, founder of Team Suzy, to discuss the relationship between pets and Alzheimer’s disease.

Spreading a Message of Hope: Q & A with Singer Mauren McGovern

Volume 18, Number 1

Maureen McGovern was was a 23-year-old folk singer in 1972 when she was chosen to record “The Morning After” for The Poseidon Adventure. The song and movie became megahits and launched her five-decade career as a concert performer, recording artist and Broadway musical theatre actress. All of that changed several years ago when she was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a degenerative brain and nervous system disorder, with symptoms of Alzheimer’s. She spoke to Alzheimer’s TODAY about her life back home in Ohio and the projects she has planned.

Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease: To Test or Not to Test

Volume 18, Number 1

Genetic testing for Alzheimer’s disease has become a hot topic following the recent controversy surrounding Australian actor Chris Hemsworth’s decision to go public with the results that his test revealed a high risk for Alzheimer’s. Nathaniel A. Chin, MD, an assistant professor (CHS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, department of medicine, geriatric division, says “probably the most important question” involving this interest is what people should consider before getting tested.

COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s Disease: Ask the AFA Medical Advisory Board

Volume 18, Number 1

Three years since a global pandemic brought the world to a standstill and introduced a multitude of questions about how the virus would impact underlying conditions, we sat down with Dr. Allison Reiss, MD, from AFA’s Medical Advisory Board to discuss the connection between COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease.

Navigating Difficult Behaviors

Volume 17, Number 3

Difficult behaviors may also be a response to our lack of visual signals when our loved one is communicating a need. We can ask ourselves, “Is my loved one hungry, thirsty, in need of the bathroom, in pain?” If we meet that need, then the behavior may cease. We may also need to ask ourselves what happened before the behavior. Can we identify any triggers? Understanding triggers and needs will help better manage these difficult behaviors.

Hoarding and Dementia

Volume 17, Number 3

Hoarding is most apt to begin in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and related diseases. A symptom of anxiety, hoarding involves accumulating items most people consider worthless. When they pile up around the home, they present multiple tripping hazards. Stocking up on food, another common practice, can lead to infestation of pests and food that’s unsafe to eat.

Women’s Alzheimer’s Risk

Volume 17, Number 3

Women’s Alzheimer’s risk is about twice as high as men’s. About two-thirds of the more than six million Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why Alzheimer’s affects women disproportionately is unknown, but clues exist that can help women safeguard their risks.

Intuitive Eating for Older Adults

Volume 17, Number 3

Intuitive eating for older adults is a non-diet approach to eating developed by two registered dietitians in the 1990s. Rather than following a strict diet, intuitive eating allows for flexibility and gets rid of “black and white” thinking around foods. It allows all foods a place without judgment or guilt.

Managing Incontinence

Volume 17, Number 3

Incontinence can be common with dementia-related illnesses, and is nothing to be ashamed of. AFA has tips for managing incontinence.

Ambiguous Loss: Put Your Own Mask On First

Volume 17, Number 3

Family therapist Dr. Pauline Boss created the term Ambiguous Loss in the 1970s while speaking to families of soldiers who went missing in action. According to Dr. Boss, ambiguous loss is a loss that occurs without closure or a clear understanding—part of a person is with us and part of them is not.

Living with Lewy Body Dementia: Q & A with Barry Kauffman on living his life fully

Volume 17, Number 3

Michigan resident Barry Kaufman, 82, has been living with Lewy body dementia (LBD) for 12 years. He spoke with Alzheimer’s TODAY about the life he has made for himself since his diagnosis.

Depression, Sleep Problems, and Alzheimer’s disease

Volume 17, Number 3

Across neurological diseases, depression has the greatest impact on quality of life in patients, said Dr. Cummings. “When your loved one is depressed, you feel sad, you feel guilty, you feel like you’re doing something wrong and that’s why they’re sad. Linking those changes to Alzheimer’s disease is often not the first intuitive step that a caregiver takes.”

The Art of Persuasion

Volume 17, Number 3

If you’re a family member interacting with your loved one with Alzheimer’s, it’s pretty safe to say you’ve gotten frustrated with how to get them to do tasks that seem pretty straightforward to you. This article offers examples of persuasion techniques for Dementia caregivers that will help avoid frustration on both your parts.

Enhanced Engagement: An Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiving Approach

Volume 17, Number 3

Laurette Klier developed her enhanced engagement dementia caregiving approach while visiting her mother-in-law, Nana Mary. Nana Mary was an avid reader until dementia turned this activity into a source of frustration. Klier searched for modified books to meet Nana Mary’s changing needs. But the picture and children’s books “were neither dignified nor stimulating.” So, she set out to create art and literature-based books that were beautiful and engaging, and evoked nostalgia. She has now published a series of these Nana’s Books.

“Why Do They Do That?” with Teepa Snow

Volume 17, Number 3

Teepa Snow is one of the country’s leading educators on dementia. She joined AFA for a webinar answering a question which caregivers of individuals living with memory loss ask themselves regularly, “Why do they do that?”

Find Joy. No Regrets: Living with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s

Volume 17, Number 3

Lisa Marshall’s husband, Peter, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 53 in April 2018. He died in December 2021 at the age of 56. For most of that time Lisa was his sole caregiver. We sat down with her to talk about how she was able to still find joy while helping her husband live with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

For the Caregiver: Self-Care and Mindfulness

Volume 17, Number 2

Caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s can be filled with so many mixed emotions. Let’s normalize the challenges that come with caregiving. Some days it’s a blessing and full of joyful moments. Other days, caregiving is filled with heartache and many disappointments. Caregivers give unconditionally, and sometimes they give from an empty cup.

9 Tips to Combat Caregiver Depression

Volume 17, Number 2

Depression is a serious and common challenge facing Alzheimer’s family caregivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they are at greater risk for depression than caregivers of people with other conditions.

What to do When Dementia Symptoms Progress: A Caregiver’s Perspective on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Volume 17, Number 2

Agitation, psychosis, depression, apathy, and sleep disturbance are common symptoms of dementia. David hopes that sharing his story will help other caregivers know what to do when dementia symptoms progress.

Helpline – Did You Know?

Volume 17, Number 1

When Alzheimer’s disease enters your life, it’s impossible to be prepared. Living with Alzheimer’s disease or caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s comes with a variety of emotions, stresses, and questions that can change as the disease progresses. Having a trusted place to turn to get help in these situations is critical.

When End of Life Nears

Volume 17, Number 1

Providing end-of-life care for a loved one with dementia can be unpredictable, and we often don’t know what to anticipate. Barbara Karnes, RN, an end-of-life educator and hospice pioneer, provides some helpful reminders about what families and caregivers can expect.

Baseball Reminiscence Program

Volume 17, Number 1

Baseball has a way of creating memories—trips to the ballpark with loved ones, rooting for a favorite team or player, having a catch with a parent, sibling, or child, and playing the game with friends—that last for generations. America’s national pastime is also helping families affected by dementia-related illnesses through “Baseball Memories,” a sports reminiscence program created by members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).

Care Partner Creativity: Life (and Love) with Grams

Volume 17, Number 1

Kris McCabe, 34, regularly shares her experiences as a full-time caregiver for her grandmother MaryAnn Padovani (Grams), 84, on Instagram and TikTok.

“At first, I just wanted to share our adventures and show my friends and family who always loved Grams what we were up to, but it unexpectedly turned into so much more. I soon realized how many others were out there like me, clueless on what to do to provide the best possible care for their loved ones with dementia.”

6 Steps to Navigate a New Caregiver Role

Volume 17, Number 1

Many caregivers follow a “whatever it takes” attitude, but this can result in burnout. Ask friends and family for help when you need a break, and enlist professionals depending on the needs of your loved one. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s often comes with unexpected challenges. Find 6 steps that can help from Boston University experts here.

10 Questions to Ask When Considering a Memory Care Community

Volume 17, Number 1

Let’s say you’ve been taking care of your loved one with dementia and their care needs have exceeded your skills. Perhaps your health is being affected, or it’s just time for a change in their care plan. Maybe you’ve lost your relationship with them because of your role as caregiver and you want that back. It may be time to start looking for a memory care community. Here are 10 questions to consider.

Caregiver Advocacy: Whatever It Takes

Volume 17, Number 1

Nothing can replace seeing, touching, and spending time with a loved one in person. COVID-19 impacted that more than anything in recent history—especially for those with loved ones living in a professional care setting. Learn how one Jacksonville, FL, woman took a dishwashing job at a care center so she could see her husband and ended up advocating for legislation that allows for others to do the same during health emergencies.

Supporting Your Loved One with Dementia

Volume 17, Number 1

When faced with the challenges of a dementia diagnosis, it’s easy to focus on the disease itself rather than on the person living with it. Rev. Lynn Casteel Harper, a nursing home chaplain, shares 7 recommendations for supporting your loved one through each step of this journey.

They Say, You Say

Volume 16, Number 3

When your loved one with cognitive impairment and memory loss is struggling and says something to you that doesn’t make sense or hurts your feelings, try these suggested responses.

Researchers at LI hospital on quest to find Alzheimer’s cause, treatments

Feb 19, 2022

Researchers at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island in Mineola are examining genetic information in brain cells to find the cause of Alzheimer’s disease, with the goal of then reprogramming those cells to behave like healthy ones. Dr. Allison Reiss, who heads the research team, is confident that if a genetic cause is found, treatments can be developed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s or prevent it entirely.

Guide to Government Resources

Volume 16, Number 3

Government exists to serve people; and fortunately for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease, a multitude of governmental programs exist that are designed to help you. Understanding the differences and intersections of federal, state, and local programs can be tricky though, but it becomes easier with some background knowledge. Following is information about some of these programs, the services they provide, and how to connect with them.

Caregiving Trends – Millennials As Caregivers

Volume 16, Number 3

The vast majority of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are receiving in-home care— nearly 80 percent, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What might be surprising is just how many millennials are engaged in the caregiving.

Guardianship & Conservatorships

Volume 16, Number 3

Guardianships have been a trending topic in the news lately. Pop singer Britney Spears is the latest high-profile example, but many other people across the country are subjected to guardianship proceedings. So, how does this happen?

Breaking the Stalemate

Volume 16, Number 3

Persuading a loved one to do something they don’t want to do—go on a diet, exercise, or give up smoking or alcohol—is often challenging under normal circumstances. When the person is living with dementia and the issues in question relate to things which impact independence, quality of life or dignity, it can be even more challenging and emotionally trying.

Before I Forget…Let Me Tell You that I Do Forget

Volume 16, Number 3

For the past three years I’ve been living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease; and during this time, here is what I’ve learned about the disease and about myself: I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018. But from the very first day I decided to stay positive.

$1M grant will help Manhasset research center advance Alzheimer’s treatments

Jan 16, 2022

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has provided a grant of close to $1 million for a study related to developing new treatments for behaviors associated with dementia — including hallucinations, delusions and aggression — that will be conducted at the Litwin-Zucker Research Center in Manhasset.

Make 2022 Your Year for a Free Memory Screening

Jan 2, 2022

Routine health screenings are important, including for our brains. Here’s why everyone should make getting a memory screening a New Year’s resolution for 2022

Alzheimer’s Gifts: Wisdom from President Ronald Reagan’s Daughter

Volume 16, Number 3

When U.S. President Ronald Reagan died June 5, 2004, after living a decade with Alzheimer’s disease, daughter Patti Davis thought for a brief time that she was “finished” with Alzheimer’s. She quickly realized, “How could I possibly be?”
This year, she published a new book, Floating in the Deep End: How Caregivers Can See Beyond Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America spent some time with Davis contemplating what she’s learned and wants others to know, nearly 20 years later.

The Course of Alzheimer’s Disease

Volume 16, Number 2

Memory loss and trouble with language and communication—such as difficulty finding words, concentrating, or following a conversation—are common early signs. As the disease progresses, confusion, reading and writing problems, and difficulties managing finances are expected, followed by loss of basic motor skills and self-care abilities in the later stages, unfortunately.

How to Make Meaningful Moments

Volume 16, Number 2

Just because a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, it doesn’t mean that you can’t create meaningful moments together with them. This article explains ways to create and maximize meaningful moments with a loved one.

The Ombudsman-An Advocate for Families

Volume 16, Number 2

Advocating for a loved one can sometimes be difficult. Many people are reluctant to “make waves” or create conflict especially with a health care setting because they fear negatively affecting their loved one’s quality of care. That’s where a Long-Term Care Ombudsman-someone who advocates for the health, safety and rights of individuals in long-term care facilities-can be helpful.

Managing Alzheimer’s Impact on Finances

Volume 16, Number 2

As Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses progress, many facets of daily living become more difficult. That includes managing finances. Here are ways to help someone retain the feeling of independence while still protecting their finances.

Avoiding Supplement Scams

Volume 16, Number 2

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Watch for these warning signs about “dietary supplements” that scam families affected by dementia by making false promises.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Dementia

Volume 16, Number 2

Caring for a family member with dementia can be like riding a rollercoaster—lots of emotional highs and lows. These tips with help you navigate the wide range of emotions caregivers experience over the course of the journey.

Alzheimer’s Deaths Spike During COVID Pandemic: Study

October 17, 2021

Alzheimer’s-related deaths increased by more than 16% during the COVID pandemic, compared to the average number over the last five years. The New York Daily News explains the challenges facing families affected by Alzheimer’s relating to COVID-19 and resources available to help caregivers.

Creating a Long-Term Care Team

Volume 16, Number 1

Having a care team—even an informal one—is beneficial in the long run. Here are steps to know about building an effective team.

See Inside the Dementia-Friendly Home Created by the Alzheimer’s Foundation

August 13, 2021

A specially created studio in AFA’s headquarters is designed to model ways to help people with dementia feel reassured, calmer, confident or safer.

Changing Places

Volume 16, Number 1

When is the “right” time to move a family member to a care community? This article explains the factors families should consider.

5 Common Misconceptions About Dementia

Volume 16, Number 1

Although Alzheimer’s and dementia are more common than ever before, many misconceptions still exist. This article details five of the most common myths and stereotypes followed by the truth.

Why Can’t My Loved One See That They Need Help?

Volume 16, Number 1

It seems obvious to others when a loved one needs help. Why would a loved one not only refuse help but refuse to recognize that help is even needed? Or that there are self-care steps they need to take? One possibility is a medical condition called anosognosia, where individuals genuinely cannot recognize their own impairment. This article describes anosognosia and tips to help someone experiencing it.

Take a Tour of This Dementia-Friendly Home Aiming to Help People With Alzheimer’s

July 16, 2021

Family caregivers often struggle with the idea of leaving their loved one with dementia home alone for safety reasons, yet want to help them preserve their independence to the greatest practical extent. This Today story explores a new “dementia-friendly” model apartment which shows caregivers how to make a home safer for someone with dementia.

Latinos Have Greater Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s, But Less Likely to Get Help

July 10, 2021

Latinos are 50% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than non-Latino whites, yet they are far less likely to seek treatment or help. PBS Chicago explores why Latinos may be more susceptible to Alzheimer’s and steps they can take.

Technology And Innovative Ideas At Center Of Alzheimer’s Foundation Of America’s New Dementia-Friendly Apartment

June 2, 2021

Virtually every aspect of a residence can play a role in the safety and quality of life for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease. This CBS New York story highlights steps families can take to make a home safer and more dementia-friendly.

Some war veterans are at higher risk for dementia. They and their families can learn more

May 30, 2021

Veterans may be at a higher risk for dementia based on their military experiences. A column in the Miami Herald discusses how veterans can, and should, be proactive about their brain health.

What Kids With Aging Parents Should Know About Dementia

April 20, 2021

After Mark and Donnie Wahlberg announced the death of their mother, Alma, who suffered from dementia, experts want to help people with aging parents learn to spot early signs of the disease. This Good Morning America story highlights the warning signs of dementia and how to get a free memory screening.

6 Steps to Reduce Caregiver Stress

April 4, 2021

Finding ways to manage and reduce stress is of paramount importance for every Alzheimer’s caregiver. Untreated stress can lead to physical, mental and emotional caregiver burnout. As part of National Stress Awareness Month (April), this article provides six steps caregivers can take to manage and reduce stress.

Foundation Awards Grant to NYU Langone to Conduct Innovative Alzheimer’s Research

March 3, 2021

New efforts to expand Alzheimer’s research are under way on Long Island, and it’ll be utilizing a different approach than some others, using a $250,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Don’t Overlook Alzheimer’s Affect on Eyesight

Volume 15, Number 4

Alzheimer’s impact on eyesight is a change that may be overlooked–changes that are different from normal changes in vision due to aging. This article explains impairments caregivers should watch for and ways they can help.

Combatting Dementia Among Veterans

Volume 15, Number 4

Increased risk of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) make memory screenings even more important for veterans. This article details why.

COVID Vaccine Advised for Alzheimer’s Patients, Their Caregivers

January 26, 2021

Individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers are urged to get the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as they are able to do so, according to AFA’s Medical, Scientific and Memory Screening Advisory Board. This article explains why.

Pandemic Isolation Detrimental to Those with Alzheimer’s

January 23, 2021

Staying active and engaged, both mentally and physically, during the COVID-19 pandemic is critically important for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers. This story highlights how people can utilize free, daily therapeutic and activity programming for free through the AFA Teal Room.

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

In the News

Find articles and reports that can be helpful for you and those you care for…

Alzheimer’s disease is not the same as dementia

Caregiver Matchmaking: Choosing a Caregiver

Caregiver Creativity: Connecting Through Legos

Do You Have to Choose Between Work and Caregiving?

The Healing Power of a Pet: Pets and Alzheimer’s disease

Spreading a Message of Hope: Q & A with Singer Mauren McGovern

Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease: To Test or Not to Test

COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s Disease: Ask the AFA Medical Advisory Board

Navigating Difficult Behaviors

Hoarding and Dementia

Women’s Alzheimer’s Risk

Intuitive Eating for Older Adults

Managing Incontinence

Ambiguous Loss: Put Your Own Mask On First

Living with Lewy Body Dementia: Q & A with Barry Kauffman on living his life fully

Depression, Sleep Problems, and Alzheimer’s disease

The Art of Persuasion

Enhanced Engagement: An Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiving Approach

“Why Do They Do That?” with Teepa Snow

Find Joy. No Regrets: Living with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s

For the Caregiver: Self-Care and Mindfulness

9 Tips to Combat Caregiver Depression

What to do When Dementia Symptoms Progress: A Caregiver’s Perspective on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

Helpline – Did You Know?

When End of Life Nears

Baseball Reminiscence Program

Care Partner Creativity: Life (and Love) with Grams

6 Steps to Navigate a New Caregiver Role

10 Questions to Ask When Considering a Memory Care Community

Caregiver Advocacy: Whatever It Takes

Supporting Your Loved One with Dementia

They Say, You Say

Researchers at LI hospital on quest to find Alzheimer’s cause, treatments

Guide to Government Resources

Caregiving Trends – Millennials As Caregivers

Guardianship & Conservatorships

Breaking the Stalemate

Before I Forget…Let Me Tell You that I Do Forget

$1M grant will help Manhasset research center advance Alzheimer’s treatments

Make 2022 Your Year for a Free Memory Screening

Alzheimer’s Gifts: Wisdom from President Ronald Reagan’s Daughter

The Course of Alzheimer’s Disease

How to Make Meaningful Moments

The Ombudsman-An Advocate for Families

Managing Alzheimer’s Impact on Finances

Avoiding Supplement Scams

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Dementia

Alzheimer’s Deaths Spike During COVID Pandemic: Study

Creating a Long-Term Care Team

See Inside the Dementia-Friendly Home Created by the Alzheimer’s Foundation

Changing Places

5 Common Misconceptions About Dementia

Why Can’t My Loved One See That They Need Help?

Take a Tour of This Dementia-Friendly Home Aiming to Help People With Alzheimer’s

Latinos Have Greater Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s, But Less Likely to Get Help

Technology And Innovative Ideas At Center Of Alzheimer’s Foundation Of America’s New Dementia-Friendly Apartment

Some war veterans are at higher risk for dementia. They and their families can learn more

What Kids With Aging Parents Should Know About Dementia

6 Steps to Reduce Caregiver Stress

Foundation Awards Grant to NYU Langone to Conduct Innovative Alzheimer’s Research

Don’t Overlook Alzheimer’s Affect on Eyesight

Combatting Dementia Among Veterans

COVID Vaccine Advised for Alzheimer’s Patients, Their Caregivers

Pandemic Isolation Detrimental to Those with Alzheimer’s

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