Innovative Perspectives on Dementia Care

Individualization is not a new clinical concept. Perhaps we have been looking for its architecture in the wrong place. For more than two decades, my professional work has existed within two seemingly unrelated fields: special education and Alzheimer's care. For years, I treated those disciplines as separate areas of expertise. Then one question abruptly connected them. I wish I could say the realization emerged from a formal research meeting, an interdisciplinary symposium, o

Diagnosis identifies disease. Assessment reveals support needs. Planning directs individualized action. Outcomes determine success. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease initiates a series of clinical decisions. Assessment may identify declining executive function, unreliable medication management, changing driving safety, communication needs, increased caregiver support requirements, or an emerging mismatch between environmental demands and current functional capacity. Each fin

Every person diagnosed with Alzheimer's has one thing in common. The diagnosis. Almost everything that follows is individual. Every person diagnosed with Alzheimer's has the same disease. No two people experience it in exactly the same way. That is why diagnosis alone is never enough. Identifying Alzheimer's is a medical event. Living with Alzheimer's is a functional experience. The diagnosis rarely changes. Everyday life does. Every conversation. Every routine. Every relatio

Imagine two individuals diagnosed with mild Alzheimer's disease. Both begin treatment. One maintains independence, continues driving safely, manages medications successfully, and remains actively engaged in daily life. The other experiences increasing functional decline, loses independence, requires medication supervision, and becomes increasingly dependent upon caregiver support. Yet at their follow-up appointments, both continue to be described as having mild Alzheimer's di

For decades, one of the central challenges in Alzheimer's care was determining whether a person actually had the disease; today, that challenge is changing. Biomarkers are advancing. Blood-based testing is expanding. Disease-modifying therapies are emerging. Earlier and more accurate diagnosis is becoming increasingly possible. This is a remarkable achievement. But it raises a question that receives far less attention: What should happen after the diagnosis? Because identifyi

Alzheimer's disease is progressive. Few clinicians would disagree with that statement. The challenge is that progression is often discussed as a medical reality rather than a functional one. We know the disease advances. We know cognition changes. We know independence declines. The question is whether our care planning evolves at the same pace. Too often, the answer is no. Progression Is More Than Pathology Clinical progression is frequently described through diagnostic term

Few statements are repeated more frequently in dementia care than: "Behavior is communication." Clinicians teach it. Caregivers hear it. Training programs emphasize it. Most professionals would agree with it. Yet our documentation, interventions, and care systems often suggest otherwise. When a person living with Alzheimer's repeatedly attempts to leave a unit, refuses care, yells, strikes out, removes clothing, or repeatedly asks the same question, the behavior itself freque

Imagine applying the following logic in oncology: We can identify the disease. We can monitor the disease. We can describe the disease. Therefore, we have adequately planned for the disease. The statement sounds absurd because every healthcare professional understands what is missing. Diagnosis is only the beginning. Once cancer is identified, attention immediately turns toward treatment planning, care coordination, risk management, functional impact, patient support, follow-

Posted on Feb. 4th, 2025 When it comes to Alzheimer’s care, empathy is just as important as knowledge. Understanding the emotional and cognitive struggles faced by individuals living with the disease can lead to more co…

Posted on Jan. 23rd, 2025 Alzheimer's disease is a complex and progressive condition that requires specialized knowledge and care, especially in healthcare settings and businesses that interact with affected individuals…

Posted on February 26th, 2025. Community education plays a key role in raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease. Through presentations, individuals from all backgrounds are able to grasp the complexities of the disea…

Posted on March 20th, 2025. Choosing the right facility for someone with Alzheimer's is a significant milestone, and with a multitude of options available, it can feel overwhelming. Each option offers unique benefits an…

Posted on April 14th, 2025. Many of us find solace and joy in the simple act of going out, enjoying the sun’s gentle warmth or the comforting murmur of a café. Yet, when caring for someone with Alzheimer's, these outing…

Posted on May 29th, 2025. Summer is a season full of energy and outdoor activities for families to enjoy. It's a time for sunlit picnics, poolside gatherings, and evening barbeques. However, for those caring for a loved…

Posted on May 2nd, 2025. This past Friday night at The Kensington was a truly special occasion as the Volunteer Network on Aging (VNA) launched Dementia Friendly Galesburg with the assistance of Knox County TRIAD. It wa…

Posted on June 23rd, 2025. Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia can leave individuals vulnerable to scams due to the cognitive impairments associated with these conditions. Memory loss, poor judgment, diminis…

Posted on August 21st, 2025. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s isn’t about trying to fix what’s slipping away but about learning to walk beside them in the world they experience, moment by moment. Memories may fade, y…

Posted on November 2nd, 2025. We’ve seen music do things that words simply can’t. A song can light up a quiet room, pull a smile from someone who hasn’t spoken all day, or soften the weight of a hard moment. When you’re…

Posted on November 6th, 2025. Words matter. The language we use to describe Alzheimer’s shapes how we think about it—and, more importantly, how we treat those living with it. Too often, Alzheimer’s is framed in fear-bas…

Posted on November 12th, 2025. Why does a disease afflicting 7 million Americans (more than the entire population of Tennessee) have vague, common language - Mild, Moderate, Severe - as the clinical terms to describe it…