Marjorie P. Lee Senior Living Blog

Although there are quite a few myths about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care floating around out there, it’s no myth that people who engage in active aging and lifelong learning seem to be at less risk of developing early memory loss.

That’s why the memory care experts here at Marjorie P. Lee urge all seniors to stay sharp by reading, socializing, and remaining as active as possible. Simply put, there’s really no such thing as too much mental stimulation.

Depression is a common problem among older adults and it’s one that, unfortunately, doesn’t get enough attention. More than 6.5 million American seniors are affected by depression, according to the report “Depression in Older Persons,” issued by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in 2009.

When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia disorders, plenty of myths, misconceptions, half-truths and outright lies continue to float about — especially on the internet and on social media platforms.

The truth about Alzheimer’s and dementia is that we don’t know the whole truth.

It can be disconcerting to observe memory changes in an aging parent or loved one.

Noticing someone’s memory loss leaves you worrying. Worrying that your parent or older relative is developing Alzheimer’s or age-related dementia. Worrying that he or she isn’t getting the proper care to preserve memory. Worrying that your loved one might someday wind up in a dangerous situation and won’t be able to help him or herself.

If you've recently found yourself in the position of having to care for an elderly loved one, one of your first steps should be to draft a caregiving plan.

Why? Because, as the famous Boy Scout motto goes, it’s always best to “be prepared.”

As your loved one ages in place, you may find that his or her circumstances change rapidly — especially if he or she is living with mid- to late-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. That means you need to be ready to act in your relative’s best interest, should he or she ever become unable to make decisions independently.

As we roll into September, we here at Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community want to help you make sure that the only falls you witness this month are those of the leaves from the trees.

In anticipation of Fall Prevention Awareness Day on Sept. 22, today we’ll review with you some simple steps you can take to prevent falls and keep your senior loved ones safe.

We know that digital technology is revolutionizing elder care. Today, it’s easier than ever for adult children to stay in touch with their senior loved ones and keep abreast of changes in their health.

Here at Marjorie Pl. Lee Retirement Community, we get asked all the time which mobile apps are the most helpful for families whose senior members are aging in place. Which programs will give you and your older parent peace of mind?

Maybe you’re having back or neck surgery to correct years of damage and chronic pain. Or you have an upcoming, elective knee or hip replacement surgery. Or you’re slowly mending in the hospital after having been seriously ill or injured.

And your doctor has informed you that, to continue your recovery and regain your strength, you’ll need a stay in a skilled nursing care center  for short-term rehabilitation before you can safely return home.