July is National Family Reunion Month. Has it been awhile since you visited family members because of concern about your loved one with dementia? Do you avoid any type of gathering big or small given the added stress this might cause? Summer time is a popular time for getting out of the house and visiting with friends and family both near and far. We have resources on the Online Dementia Resource Center that can help you plan your next visit.
This month new research came out citing the Shingles vaccine as a preventive measure for dementia. However, there are currently no medications that cure Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Having a knowledge base of the common types of dementia medications and their potential side effects can help you to be a strong advocate.
National Social Wellness Month is celebrated in July. Maintaining social connections is essential for promoting brain health and reducing the risk of dementia in aging men. Social engagement has been linked to better cognitive function and lower risk of cognitive decline. It is important for all older adults, but especially aging men, to prioritize social connections.
If you are caring for a person living with dementia at home, Mondays with Mimi is where you can have your questions answered. In her 20 years at St. John’s, Mimi DeVinney (our Dementia/Quality of Life Specialist) has heard dozens of questions about caring for people living with dementia. Go to the Ask Mimi page of St. John’s Online Dementia Resource Center to see Mimi’s answers to newly submitted questions.
