Marjorie P. Lee Senior Living Blog

The wonderful thing about science is that it's never finished. The pursuit of knowledge never stops. When one discovery is made, it leads to many others. It's a never-ending search.

We know that there's plenty to learn about Alzheimer's dementia, age-related memory loss, and other cognitive disorders. Frankly, we've barely scratched the surface. But scratching at it we are.

So, just what is the difference between assisted living and memory care?

Our memory care experts here at Marjorie P. Lee (MPL) are often asked this question. Usually, it's by people whose senior loved ones have recently been diagnosed with dementia or begun to show signs of memory loss, who are considering placement and don't know what care options are available to them in Cincinnati.

For family caregivers of seniors with dementia or age-related memory loss, the winter holidays can be an especially stressful time. In addition to planning get-togethers, shopping and keeping up with all the holiday preparations, there are nagging worries.

What happens if Dad has a meltdown at dinner? What if Mom has difficulty keeping names straight? What gift do you give a parent with dementia?

There's also sometimes a sadness that creeps in because many of us feel particularly nostalgic around this time of year. We look back on holidays past — when we were children, when our parents were young and strong — and we wish that those days weren't long gone.

So, what are some tips for coping with a loved one's memory loss during the holidays? Never fear: we have them for you. Read on.

You’re in a rush, stressed out and running late on an already-busy day. Now, you’re on your way back out the door, thinking about all the errands you still need to run and, suddenly, you can’t remember where you left your keys. You don’t even remember the last time you had them.

Is it overtired and unable to think clearly? Or is it actual memory loss? When is it normal, age-related memory loss, versus a sign of a stroke, early-onset dementia or Alzheimer’s disease?

If your elderly loved one is living with advanced age-related dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and will soon need to move into residential memory care, like the Kirby Household at Marjorie P. Lee, how can you help to ease the move into his or her new home?

As the primary caregiver, you’re going to be juggling a lot during your loved one’s move. It’s critically important that you put together a transition plan so that you can keep everything running smooth.

One of the keys to keeping your mind limber is regular mental exercise. Your muscles need physical training to stay strong; your brain needs to be stretched out, too!

One of the best ways to exercise your brain is to challenge it by learning a new skill. Research has shown us that seniors who continue to learn after retirement may experience a lower incidence rate of memory loss and cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

This holiday season, one of the greatest gifts you can give to your elderly loved ones is a listening ear. For most seniors, the opportunity to talk about an important event, person, or experience in their lives is just plain enjoyable, and according to Age Smart, this kind of nostalgia also has some definite therapeutic benefits in senior care.

Holiday family gatherings provide a great opportunity to check up on elderly parents and determine how well they are getting along. A visit to their home can reveal if they are caring for themselves in consistently healthy ways. Observing how your elderly parents cope with the increased noise and activity levels, socializing with large groups of people, and handle a disruption to their normal schedule can tell you a lot about their emotional resilience and alert you to potential senior care needs.