Dementia / Alzheimer's

The future has arrived: with the simple submission of a saliva sample, you can now take a glimpse into your genetic make-up. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now authorized the genetic testing company, 23andme, to offer consumers direct access to genetic testing for 10 diseases, including Parkinson’s and late-onset Alzheimer’s,…

While there’s no doubt that mental stimulation is important for keeping your mind sharp as you grow older, to date there have been few scientifically-valid research studies supporting specific games that can protect and maintain your brain capacity as you age- that is, until now. A new National Institutes of…

In older adults, differences between depression and dementia may be hard to discern. Memory loss, cognitive dysfunction and other symptoms can be present with either of these afflictions, and it’s not uncommon for an older person to be stricken by both simultaneously.  But it’s important to remember that even though…

If you think you’ve heard more about Alzheimer’s Disease in recent years, it’s not only because you’re getting older: in fact, the incidence of Alzheimer’s is increasing and the data surrounding this increase are troubling and even frightening. Currently, over 5 million seniors 65 and older have been diagnosed, and…

Dementia can be a devastating diagnosis. It often leaves patients and families grasping for whatever ideas they can find to lessen or forestall the difficult symptoms. Without knowing the scientific validity, it’s not uncommon for families to reach for such alternative therapies as dietary supplements or herbal remedies for the…

The word is out: Last night, on public television, an urgent and alarming documentary on Alzheimer’s Disease premiered. Part of a broader focus to attract public attention and resources to the fight against Alzheimer’s, the documentary, “Every Minute Counts,” will be available to stream online and has its own website that includes…