dementia

We get some insight into the world of dementia caregiver support — and we we learn about a relatively rare form of dementia called Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD). It’s a type of dementia that affects the areas that control behavior, personality, language, and decision-making. People with FTD might start acting differently, like becoming rude or impulsive, or they may have trouble speaking and understanding language. It usually appears in people younger than 65, and unlike other forms of dementia, memory problems aren't usually the first sign, but instead changes in behavior or communication skills are more noticeable early on.

While the medical community continues to look for ways to help reduce the risk of dementia, researchers at University of South Florida have been studying whether interacting with certain kinds of specially designed cognitive training exercises — essentially computer games — can reduce the risk of dementia. We learn about another USF study called Active Mind that is similar, but is looking for participants who do have some degree of mild cognitive impairment.

While the medical community continues to look for ways to help reduce the risk of dementia, researchers at University of South Florida have been studying whether interacting with certain kinds of specially designed cognitive training exercises — essentially computer games — can reduce the risk of dementia. We learn about another USF study called Active Mind that is similar, but is looking for participants who do have some degree of mild cognitive impairment.

Art therapy can serve as an effective form of treatment for people living with dementia. We’ll explore an art therapy program that utilizes museum tours, but has since gone virtual amid the ongoing pandemic.The Arts in MIND program was created by Angel Duncan, M.A.-MFT, ATR, in collaboration with Yale University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit and the Yale University Art Gallery. The program targets younger patients with early onset dementia as well as those in the early stages of dementia. This is a demographic that’s largely underserved.

When it comes to treating patients with Alzheimers disease or another form of dementia, should caregivers be doing more to treat the person and not just…

There are currently more than 40 million people in the United States over the age of 65, and that number is expected to more than double in the next 20…