Resources for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

Senior with adult daughter

Today, older adults are in better health and have lower disability rates than in previous generations, but many will encounter cognitive challenges that affect their physical, mental and social health. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia for older adults. Symptoms can first appear after 60 and risk increases with age. Early symptoms include mild memory loss and misplacing items, and can progress to losing the ability to hold a conversation, respond to the environment and carry out everyday activities.

In 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease. The number of people over 65 with the disease doubles every five years, and that number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060. Compared to Whites, Black adults are twice as likely and Hispanic adults are one and a half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s disease and dementias. Prevalence is higher among women— two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women.

Resources

Ways to Lower Your Risk

Growing evidence indicates that people can reduce their risk for cognitive decline by adopting a healthier lifestyle. Start improving your brain health today and make the following changes:

Senior Adult Exercising

Physical Health

Increase physical activity

Heart health and brain health are connected, and the risk factors for cardiovascular disease—obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes—can also negatively impact your cognitive health.

Regular cardiovascular exercise elevates your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have found an association between physical activity and reduced risk of cognitive decline.

Quit smoking

Quitting can reduce risk to levels comparable to those who have not smoked.

Protect your brain

Take steps to prevent brain injury. Prevent falls by removing clutter in walkways and wear shoes that are nonskid and low-heeled and support your feet. Wear your seat belt and use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike.

Adopt a diet lower in fat and higher in vegetables and fruit

Certain diets, including Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), can reduce risk for cognitive decline and improve your overall health.

Pay attention to your sleep health

Insomnia and sleep apnea can result in problems with memory and thinking.

Senior adult in painting classåc

Mental Health

Challenge yourself with a class, activities, or hobbies

In any stage of life, learning something new and challenging your thinking can help reduce risk for cognitive decline. Learn a new language. Get back to playing an instrument. Complete a jigsaw puzzle. Do something artistic. Play strategy games like bridge or mahjong.

Ask for help if you have depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns

There are studies that link a history of depression with increased risk of cognitive decline. Also, find ways to relax, refocus and manage your stress.

  • Mental Wellness Resources – DOEA
  • Elder Treatment Centers in FL – Psychology Today
  • Mind Health – FSU Program REACH
  • Safety and Wellness – FSU Program REACH
  • Behavioral symptoms of dementia can be a response to a person’s unmet needs. Here’s a handout from FSU’s Project REACH that offers some helpful tips to address challenging behaviors in persons with dementia. Email reach@med.fsu.edu to request hard copy materials for distribution.

Stay socially engaged

Find meaningful social activities and ways to be part of your community. Spend time with friends and family.

Keep up with Alzheimer’s news, advances, and events. If you have questions about Alzheimer’s disease and dementias, the Alzheimer’s Association’s helpline is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 800-272-3900.

Organizations and Topics
Middle aged woman with her arm around her elderly father

Healthy Aging – Posters 

10 Ways to Love Your Brain

Create an Empowering Environment

Active Lifestyle, Better Brain Function

Caregiver Dressing and Grooming

Keeping Your Brain Healthy

10 Signs of Dementia

Sleep is Vital to the Aging Brain

Making Meal Time Easier

Guide to Healthy Aging: What to Do

Guide to Healthy Aging: What to Eat

Healthy Aging – Fans 

10 Ways to Love Your Brain

Create an Empowering Environment

Active Lifestyles, Better Brain Function

Caregiver Dressing and Grooming

Keeping Your Brain Healthy

10 Signs of Dementia

Sleep is Vital to the Aging Brain

Making Mealtime Easier

Guide to Healthy Aging: What to Do

Guide to Healthy Aging: What to Eat

Caregivers and Guardianship

Caregiving Resources: Knowing What to Expect and How to Prepare Enhances Caregiving 

There are many groups and organizations that have ongoing resources for caregivers:

  • Caregiver Toolkit: Resources from non-profits, businesses, and government agencies that specialize in caregiving, senior care, aging, and end-of-life issues. 
  • Family Caregiver Alliance offers guidance on its webpage Dementia, Caregiving, and Controlling Frustration. They have also created an online training series called “The Caregiver College” which discuss skills such as how to assist with bathing, transferring, and more.
  • Alzheimer’s Association’s comprehensive guidance defines the different stages of caregiving.
  • AARP’s Family Caregiving can help you navigate your role.
  • Youth Against Alzheimer’s report Millennials and Dementia Caregiving in the U.S. explores the challenges for young adult caregivers.
  • Florida Department of Elder Affairs has resources and information and their caregiving assistance services provide support through a variety of programs.
  • Florida State University’s REACH Program provides resources for care partners and encourages caregivers learn more about community and web-based resources designed to help with unique issues faced by those caring for a friend or family member.
  • Powerful Tools for Caregivers gives you the skills to take care of yourself while caring for someone else. Six class sessions held once a week are led by experienced class leaders. Class participants are given The Caregiver Helpbook to accompany the class and provide additional caregiver resources.
  • Memory Loss Among Caregivers – Caregiving can negatively affect caregivers’ physical and mental health. Unpaid adult caregivers age 45 and older reported greater subjective cognitive decline.
  • Coping Strategies for Caregivers – Paid and unpaid caregivers often set aside their own physical and mental health needs while caring for others. Dr. Lisa McGuire discusses her own coping strategies while caring for her mom and shares other strategies to help ensure caregivers feel supported.
  • What About the Caregivers – Although caregiving has many benefits, it’s important to recognize that caregivers may be compromising their own health.
  • Protecting the Health of Family Caregivers – Discusses the role of family caregivers and the importance of protecting their health. It is primarily targeted to public health and aging services professionals.

Guardianship Resources 

Florida Department of Elder Affairs appoints local public guardians to provide guardianship services to persons who do not have adequate income or assets to afford a private guardian and there are no willing family or friends to serve.

Videos:

Florida State Guardianship Association: A guardianship is a legal proceeding in the circuit courts of Florida in which a guardian is appointed to exercise the legal rights of an incapacitated person.

Guardianship is a legal process in which a person’s rights are delegated to someone else to act on their behalf. This is a protective measure for individuals who cannot make decisions, cannot communicate decisions, or cannot act in their own best interest.

End of Life

Advance Care Planning 

An advance care plan, also known as a healthcare directive or living will, is an empowering and legally binding way for you to make your healthcare wishes known in the event that you are no longer able to communicate them for yourself. This can include different medical interventions, housing arrangements, and symptom management among other concerns.

While anyone can benefit from an advance care plan, these documents are particularly important for those who are terminal, elderly, or in the very early stages of an Alzheimer’s or Dementia diagnosis. These documents can only be completed while a person still has the legal capacity to do so, so it is imperative that they are completed as soon as possible.

Without an advance care plan in place, family members, caregivers, and medical professionals will be forced to make healthcare decisions on the behalf of the incapacitated person to the best of their ability. However, without prior knowledge of medical wishes, this can be a difficult and painful decision-making process.

Estate Planning 

Estate plans are an important aspect of end-of-life planning. An advance care plan will take care of all healthcare decisions, and an estate plan will manage all financial assets. Having a will and/or trust in place can ensure your estate will be distributed as you see fit, any care needs will be covered, and your family can focus on being there for one another in difficult times.