Colorado - Denver Metro

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia can be a long, stressful, and intensely emotional journey. But you're not alone. In the United States, there are more than 16 million people caring for someone with dementia, and many millions more around the world. As there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's or dementia, it is often your caregiving and support that makes the biggest difference to your loved one's quality of life. That is a remarkable gift.However, caregiving can also become all-consuming. As your loved ones cognitive, physical, and functional abilities gradually diminish over time, it's easy to become overwhelmed, disheartened, and neglect your own health and well-being. The burden of caregiving can put you at increased risk for significant health problems and many dementias caregivers experience depression, high levels of stress, or even burnout. And nearly all Alzheimer's or dementia caregivers at some time experience sadness, anxiety, loneliness, and exhaustion. Seeking help and support along the way is not a luxury; it's a necessity.Just as each individual with Alzheimer's disease or dementia progresses differently, so too can the caregiving experience vary widely from person to person. However, there are strategies that can aid you as a caregiver and help make your caregiving journey as rewarding as it is challenging.The challenges and rewards of Alzheimer's careCaring for a person with Alzheimer's disease or dementia can often seem to be a series of grief experiences as you watch your loved one's memories disappear and skills erode. The person with dementia will change and behave in different, sometimes disturbing or upsetting ways. For both caregivers and their patients, these changes can produce an emotional wallop of confusion, frustration, and sadness.As the disease advances through the different stages, your loved ones need increase, your caregiving and financial responsibilities become more challenging, and the fatigue, stress, and isolation can become overwhelming. At the same time, the ability of your loved one to show appreciation for all your hard work only diminishes. Caregiving can literally seem like a thankless task.For many, though, a caregiver's journey includes not only huge challenges, but also many rich, life-affirming rewards.Caregiving is a pure expression of love. Caring for a person with Alzheimer's or dementia connects you on a deeper level. If you were already close, it can bring you closer. If you weren't close before, it can help you resolve differences, find forgiveness, and build new, warmer memories with your family member.It changes your perspective on life. The act of caregiving can help you appreciate your own life more. Many people find that their priorities change afterwards. The trivial, day-to-day worries that once seemed so important seem to fade away and they're able to focus on the things that are really meaningful in life.Provides purpose. Caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia makes you feel needed and valued. It can also add structure and meaning to your life. Each day you're making a huge difference in someone's life, even if they're no longer able to acknowledge it or express their gratitude.Adds a sense of accomplishment. Learning new skills and coping techniques can boost your confidence and overcoming new challenges can improve your problem-solving skills. Attending support groups can also broaden your social network and help you form new, rewarding relationships.Caregiving can teach younger family members the importance of caring, compassion, and acceptance. Caregiving for someone with dementia is such a selfless act. Despite the stress, demands, and heartache, it can bring out the best in us to serve as role models for our children.Caregiving in the early stages of Alzheimer's or dementiaIn the early stages of Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, your loved one may not need much caregiving assistance. Rather, your role initially may be to help them come to terms with their diagnosis, plan for the future, and stay as active, healthy, and engaged as possible.Accept the diagnosis. Accepting a dementia diagnosis can be just as difficult for family members as it for the patient. Allow yourself and your loved one time to process the news, transition to the new situation, and grieve your losses. But don't let denial prevent you from seeking early intervention.Deal with conflicting emotions. Feelings of anger, frustration, disbelief, grief, denial, and fear are common in the early stages of Alzheimer's or dementia for both the patient and you, the caregiver. Let your loved one express what they're feeling and encourage them to continue pursuing activities that add meaning and purpose to their life. To deal with your own fears, doubts, and sadness, find others you can confide in.Make use of available resources. There are a wealth of community and online resources to help you provide effective care on this journey. Start by finding the Alzheimer's Association in your country (see Get more help below). These organizations offer practical support, helplines, advice, and training for caregivers and their families. They can also put you in touch with local support groups.Learn all you can about your loved one's dementia. While everyone's experiences of Alzheimer's or dementia are different, the more you learn about the condition and how it's likely to progress, the better you'll be able to prepare for future challenges, reduce your frustration, and foster reasonable expectations. There are also books, workshops, and online training resources that can teach caregiving skills.Prepare for the road ahead. With your support, your loved one may be able to maintain their independence and live alone in the early stages of dementia. However, their cognitive and physical regression means they will ultimately require around-the-clock help. Putting plans for their future housing and care in place now can help reduce stress in the future, enable your loved one to be involved in the decision-making process, and ensure their legal, financial, and healthcare wishes are respected.Preserving your loved one's independenceTake steps to slow the progression of symptoms. While treatments are available for some symptoms, lifestyle changes can also be effective weapons in slowing down the disease's progression. Exercising, eating and sleeping well, managing stress, and staying mentally and socially active are among the steps that can improve brain health and slow the process of deterioration. Making healthy lifestyle changes alongside your loved one can also help protect your own health and counter the stress of caregiving.Help with short-term memory loss. In the early stages, your loved one may need prompts or reminders to help them remember appointments, recall words or names, keep track of medications, or manage bills and money, for example. To help your loved one maintain their independence, instead of simply taking over every task yourself, try to work together as a partnership. Let your loved one indicate when they want help remembering a word, for example, or agree to check their calculations before paying bills. Encourage them to use a notebook or smartphone to create reminders to keep on hand.Caregiving in the middle stages of Alzheimer's or dementiaAs your loved ones Alzheimer's disease or dementia symptoms progress, they'll require more and more careened you'll need more and more support as their caregiver. Your loved one will gradually experience more extensive memory loss, may become lost in familiar settings, no longer beable to drive, and fail to recognize friends and family. Their confusion and rambling speech can make communicating more of a challenge and they may experience disturbing mood and behavior changes along with sleep problems.You'll need to take on more responsibilities as your loved one loses independence, provide more assistance with the activities of daily living, and find ways of coping with each new challenge. Balancing these tasks with your other responsibilities requires attention, planning, and lots of support.Ask for help. You cannot do it all alone. It's important to reach out to other family members, friends, or volunteer organizations to help with the daily burden of caregiving. Schedule frequent breaks throughout the day to pursue your hobbies and interests and stay on top of your own health needs. This is not being neglectful or disloyal to your loved one. Caregivers who take regular time away not only provide better care, but they also find more satisfaction in their caretaking roles.Join a support group. You'll be able to learn from the experiences of others who have faced the same challenges. Connecting with others who know first-hand what you're going through can also help reduce feelings of isolation, fear, and hopelessness.

A topic of ongoing debate and speculation among scientists, researchers, and futurists is whether or not people will regularly live to 120 years old. While significant advancements in healthcare, medicine, and technology have extended human life expectancy over the past century, reaching 120 years and beyond is currently considered possible.However, there are optimistic projections that with continued advancements in medical treatments, preventive healthcare, genetic interventions, and lifestyle changes, it may become more common for individuals to reach or even exceed the age of 120 in the future. There is also speculation that those who will regularly live to 100 years old have already been born. Its an intriguing possibility that continues to inspire research and exploration into extending human lifespan. Many say they dont want to live that long, but we must prepare ourselves that we will live much longer than we expected to in our younger years.10 Pillars for Living a Long and Fulfilling LifeIn my 2021 TEDx talk on Longevity, I mentioned that older adults today are social pioneers, trailblazing a way for us in terms of human potential and lifespan. In supporting nearly 2,000 clients and their families in my work as an elder care consultant, Ive developed 10 key pillars of a contented Longevity Lifestyle.1. PURPOSEWe all need a purpose in life, a motivator to keep us moving forward. As life changes, our purpose may need to change as well, to keep us engaged with the life around us. Having a sense of purpose in life gives meaning and direction, fueling motivation, resilience, and a deeper connection to ones actions and goals. It provides a framework for decision-making, fosters personal growth, and contributes to overall well-being and satisfaction.2. COMMUNITYHaving a supportive community around you provides a sense of belonging, and connection, enriching your emotional well-being and resilience. Through shared experiences, encouragement, and collaboration, a community offers valuable social support, empowering individuals to overcome challenges, celebrate successes, and thrive together. One of the biggest benefits to living in a senior living community is the community thats built around you and the fellowship that it offers.3. ADVOCACYAdvocating for yourself is crucial for asserting your needs, boundaries, and aspirations, ensuring that your voice is heard, and your rights are respected. By advocating for yourself, you take control of your own destiny, build self-confidence, and pave the way for personal and professional growth and freedom.4. LIFELONG LEARNINGEmbracing lifelong learning fosters personal growth, adaptability, and intellectual curiosity. Continuously acquiring new knowledge and skills empowers individuals to navigate an ever-evolving world, unlock new opportunities, and cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.5. MONEYOutliving your money is one of the greatest fears people have, especially here in the United States where the cost of healthcare continues to rise. Views on money vary widely among individuals, with some seeing it as a means of security, freedom, and fulfillment, while others perceive it as a source of stress and inequality. How people perceive and prioritize money often shapes their attitudes towards wealth accumulation, spending habits, and financial decision-making.6. SPIRITUAL PRACTICEMost people who live a contented life has some sort of spiritual compass whether formal religion or a spiritual practice. A spiritual practice provides a sense of purpose, inner peace, and connection to something greater than oneself, contributing to overall emotional and mental well-being. Cultivating a spiritual practice, whether through meditation, prayer, or mindfulness, can foster resilience, compassion, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around us.7. PHYSICAL HEALTHPhysical health is essential for maintaining optimal functionality and vitality, impacting everything from daily activities to long-term wellness. Prioritizing physical health through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and preventive healthcare measures can enhance longevity, resilience, and overall quality of life.8. BRAIN HEALTHBrain health is fundamental to overall well-being, influencing cognitive function, emotional stability, and quality of life. Investing in brain health through activities like mental stimulation, healthy diet, regular exercise, and social engagement can help maintain cognitive function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.9. MINDSETMaintaining a positive attitude or mindset is essential for resilience, problem-solving, and overall well-being, as it enables individuals to approach challenges with optimism and determination. Cultivating positivity not only fosters mental and emotional strength but also enhances interpersonal relationships, creativity, and the ability to adapt to change.10. MENTAL HEALTHStrong mental health is essential for navigating lifes challenges with resilience, maintaining emotional balance, and fostering healthy relationships. Prioritizing mental health through self-care, therapy, and support systems promotes overall well-being, productivity, and a fulfilling life.Heres the good news. No matter where you are in life today, you can start anew. I hope that you will share this message with your family and friends, encouraging each other in living your best lives, one day, one step at a time.Written By: Kelly OConnor, Certified Senior Advisor and legacy life coach

The signs of hearing loss can be either subtle and emerge slowly or they can be significant and come on suddenly. Either way, they'll have an impact on your quality of life and those around you. But there is good news and a ready solution available.Hearing loss can be caused my many factors aging, a history of noise exposure to machinery, heredity, medications, gunfire, and some disease processes. Having poor hearing can sometimes be misinterpreted as dementia, lack of intelligence, or just being rude. This is especially true when the hearing loss is gradual and the individual blames other possible causes and fails to recognize that it's their hearing that has changed. Commonly heard reasons for not hearing are that others were mumbling, talking from another room, or some outside noise was interfering (e.g., running water, TV, radio). Does that sound familiar?Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf, said blindness cuts us off from things, but deafness when it cuts us off from hearing (people) is to be isolated indeed. But most people are not deaf. They have some hearing loss where they miss the sounds of life and/or important sounds of speech that results in their reporting that they are hearing, but not always fully understanding. To the rescue are all the advances in technology especially in digital hearing aids.The new digital hearing aids are programmed on a computer and amplify the sounds that the individual is not hearing. The technology allows them to be set to automatically start with minimal controls needed by the individual. Today's more advanced aids even change automatically when the person is in a noisy environment, or by pressing a button. They also come in all different models to match the persons hearing loss, their lifestyles and other factors such as dexterity or vision.So, with today's technology and levels of devices in all price ranges, you no longer need to say what? or not to respond at all. To find out what might work for you, have your hearing tested and finally start to hear again what you've been missing.Editor's Note: This article was submitted by Terry Ball, M.Aud., CCC-A. of Aspen Hearing Center. For further information, she can be reached at 303-722-0886.

We all know that exercise is good for us, even critical to our good health, and the number of programs from which to choose continues to grow. Which one is the right one for you? Before beginning ANY exercise program, you must check in with your doctor. He may have specific suggestions, and will certainly want to check your vitals. Once clear to go, remember this exercise thing is not going away; it is here for the long haul. Your commitment to that long haul is critical to your exercise and wellness program success. When choosing a class or program, consider the three KINDS of exercise: Aerobic Exercise- Activities that increase your heart rate and breathing rate as it works your muscles. Popular aerobic exercises include swimming, water aerobics, dancing and tennis. Aerobic exercises strengthen you heart. Strength Training-helps build strong muscles. Whether you use weights or elastic bands, strength training is also a great calorie burner. Flexibility Exercises-aka stretching is a big part of warm-up and cool down-and an essential part of a well-rounded program. Maybe you and your doctor or fitness coach will decide you need a bit of each, maybe more of one than the others. Take some time to explore your exercise options before you begin!So you have the big picture but what about classes? Here are some descriptions to get you thinking: Stretch and Flex: A combination of Yoga, Pilates, and free-style stretching Stretch and strength: Gain muscle strength and tone through stretching Matsteps: Low impact aerobic exercise Tai Chi Chuan: Gentle graceful moves promoting flexibility and balance Yoga: Connect your mind and body connect through a series of basic, non-technical yoga positions with emphasis on strength, balance, flexibility and relaxation. Pilates: This challenging and innovative system of safe exercises builds up strength without bulking up, increases flexibility and agility and develops optimal core control. Kickboxing: Sets basic boxing and kickboxing moves to music. Work on strength, endurance, balance and coordination without physical contact for an intense workout!Choosing an exercise program is rather like true confessions-be honest with yourself about what you think will work for you. Consider your personality as well: do you like to exercise alone in your own home, take a class, workout with one or two friends? Taking time to evaluate the big picture will increase your chances of success. As with any new program it will take several weeks before you see or feel a difference. Do NOT give up before you have given exercise a chance to work! Oh, and that you have given your body a chance to adjust as well. And finally, with ANY exercise program, listen to your body! If it begins creaking loudly or unnaturally, adjust your level or frequency of exercise. If all else fails, step back and at LEAST commit to: Walking instead of driving whenever possibleTaking the stairs instead of the elevatorWork in the garden, rake leaves or clean house-everydayPark at the far end of the parking lot and walk to the storeREMEMBER: This is a marathon, not a sprint. At our ages, we don't have to prove anything to anyone!!!Health Passport was many exercise programs; call us for more information, 303-629-4921.