Cantissimo Senior Living Blog

Dementia is an umbrella term commonly used to describe memory loss and other cognitive impairments often associated with aging. Dementia is not a specific disease: it is a term used to describe symptoms from several different pathologies. Common kinds of dementia include Alzheimer's, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia caused by diseases such as Parkinson's. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 14% of people over the age of 71 will develop some form of dementia. This incidence climbs as people age: among those who live to 90, more than 37.4% show signs of dementia.

Signs of dementia can be subtle at first. One of the hallmark signs of this condition is short-term memory loss. You may find someone asking the same questions repeatedly or forgetting things that were just explained to or told to them. They may struggle to keep track of possessions like car keys, wallets, purses, and mobile devices. They might forget to go to appointments, fail to plan for meals, or begin roaming outside of their usual routine for no apparent reason.

Dementia also affects a person's ability to communicate. They might struggle with their vocabulary, finding it hard to describe things or repeatedly relying on the same set of words. Instead of using the proper name, they might describe something. For example, a person with dementia might call a coffee maker "the thing that makes that stuff, the good smelling brown one." They may also become withdrawn as the frustration of being unable to communicate well sets in. These problems may worsen as the disease progresses.

Are naps a good thing? If so, what are the benefits? Leonardo da Vinci was a renowned artist, inventor, and observer of the natural world. He was also a man with incredibly odd sleeping habits. Purportedly, da Vinci never slept for more than twenty minutes at a time every four hours.

Over the years, many experts have recommended such a sleep schedule, but the question is something like this healthy? Beyond this, are there any health benefits to taking an afternoon nap? What might be some of the downsides to taking naps? This article will provide some answers to these questions and hopes to shed some light on this dilemma.

Aging is a lot of things, but feeling tired all the time shouldn't be one of them. You may feel tired from time to time. You may lose vibrancy due to low energy levels. You may even start taking afternoon naps. All these things are normal. However, if you feel tired all the time and not even sleep can alleviate it, then there may be a cause for concern. If the constant fatigue persists for weeks, then seek medical assistance. There are times when fatigue is a sign of illness or an underlying health condition. That said, the following could be the reasons why you are tired all the time:

Pet therapy has become a popular treatment method for people of all ages for matters related to mental, emotional, and even physical health. It involves interacting with animals for the benefit of helping a person affected by depression, anxiety, dementia, and many other mental or physical health conditions. The type of therapy can vary widely depending on the requirements of the person seeking therapy. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits, the various types of pet therapy, and more.

Benefits of Pet Therapy

Research has shown us those pet owners are generally less likely to feel lonely. They visit the doctor less often, take less medication, get over illnesses faster, and cope better with stress. One study even discovered that spending only 10 minutes with a pet can start reducing stress hormone levels.

For people of all ages, pets can give emotional, physical, and mental benefits, specifically for seniors at an increased risk for loneliness and isolation.

It is estimated that Alzheimer's disease affects more than 5 million Americans and as many as 44 million people worldwide. It can be a devastating diagnosis for both the individual and their family. But, the good news is that there are some things you can do to help reduce the risk of it happening in your life or the lives of those close to you.

Habits such as getting enough sleep, exercising, learning new things, reducing stress, and socializing with friends and family members have all been shown to reduce the risk of developing this debilitating illness. We will discuss seven habits today that have been shown to be vital strategies in reducing Alzheimer's risk!

Pilates, named after the creator, Joseph Pilates, is an exercise routine that focuses on creating an overall balance in the body. It comprises a set of exercises that focus on several fundamentals, including precision and balance. Pilates is known to increases core strength, flexibility, balance, and posture in the body. The exercise uses the body itself, and there is no specialized equipment necessary - though some routines may include the use of some props.

Today, Pilates is popular across the world because it is effective at improving flexibility, strength (especially core strength), breathing, posture, and overall physical fitness. Over the years, many people have found Pilates helpful, including some of the top Hollywood stars, making it even more popular.

Depression is a mental health disorder that affects 15%–20% of adults older than age 65 in the United States, according to a report by the CDC. Depression can be difficult to identify because the symptoms are similar to typical signs of aging, such as fatigue and forgetfulness. In addition, depression often goes unnoticed or misdiagnosed because depression may not cause any noticeable changes in mood or behavior. Yet depression has severe consequences for older adults, including increased risk for falls, social withdrawal, cognitive impairment, physical dysfunction, and suicide. Knowing the warning signs of depression can help an older adult receive appropriate treatment before depression leads to further complications.

As a musician and music lover, I've always been captivated by its powerful potential to influence my emotions and even impact my brain activity. When I was younger, I listened to music while studying (a practice I maintain to this day). To this day, certain songs or melodies transport me to that place and connect me to whatever I was doing at the time. While science has determined that scent is the strongest sense tied to memory, sound—in this case, music—has a strong correlation to memory as well.

Music does something special to people. Different frequencies are known to produce very specific effects on people of all ages. Over years of study on the effects of sound and music, a therapeutic method called Music Therapy was developed. As a result, many people suffering from various mental disorders and disabilities have engaged in music therapy to great effect.

Do you believe in your own capacity to meet life’s challenges? These challenges do not have to be big. It could be as simple as walking up to someone to ask a question, or it could be as difficult as asking for money from someone.

Confidence is the belief in one’s own capacity to meet life’s difficulties and succeed. On top of that, confidence is also the determination to act on that belief. Being confident means being self-assured. It means being at ease with one’s own abilities. A confident person is not someone who believes that they are capable of super deeds; confidence is humbler than that.

At work, in your personal life, or in other social situations, a lack of confidence can inhibit people from taking chances and embracing possibilities. However, too much self-confidence might come across as arrogance or narcissism. Overestimating one’s talents can lead to issues such as not finishing jobs on time or social embarrassment. Self-confidence is not about being superior to others. It means that you are self-aware about your capacity and that you have a realistic assessment of your skills and a sense of security in that assessment.

Dementia is a condition that affects not only the person who has it but also their loved ones. It can be difficult to watch a loved one struggle with memory loss, difficulty with communication, and changes in behavior. It can be even harder to understand what is happening and how to help. It is important to identify the signs of dementia early on so that you can take steps to help your loved one get the care and support they need.

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the signs of dementia and how to identify them in a loved one. By understanding the early signs of dementia, you can take steps to help your loved one get the care and support they need as the condition progresses.