Becoming Dementia Aware

Directions Website

Becoming Dementia Aware Since 2009, Tam Cummings, PhD, has worked diligently to “Inspire, Educate, and Empower Dementia Careg

Amazing Brain Facts, Part 1: By the Numbers!Understanding how the brain works is crucial in learning how dementia affect...
10/14/2026

Amazing Brain Facts, Part 1: By the Numbers!

Understanding how the brain works is crucial in learning how dementia affects it.

Our brains are remarkably complex, with billions of cells and an extraordinary network of connections that control everything from movement to memory.

Here are a few fascinating facts about the three-pound organ that makes us who we are.

Dr. Tam Cummings, PhD
www.tamcummings.com

When dementia begins to affect the brain, the newer memories in the upper drawers are often the first to become difficul...
10/12/2026

When dementia begins to affect the brain, the newer memories in the upper drawers are often the first to become difficult to retrieve. Memories stored in the lower drawers may remain accessible much longer.

This helps explain why a person with dementia may believe they are 35 years old instead of 85, ask for a parent who died decades ago, or insist they need to pick up their children from school even though those children are now adults.

They aren't necessarily remembering the past. They are living in it.

Understanding this difference is important. Correcting someone repeatedly may only create confusion, frustration, or distress.

Instead, try to pinpoint the time and place their memories have taken them. Respond to the feelings behind their words, offer reassurance, and meet them where they are.

The filing cabinet may be changing, but the person you love is still there.

Learn more about understanding and caring for people with dementia at https://www.tamcummings.com/speaking

Can you prevent dementia? Not always. But research suggests that the choices we make throughout our lives can significan...
10/08/2026

Can you prevent dementia? Not always. But research suggests that the choices we make throughout our lives can significantly influence our risk.

And unfortunately, two of the most important involve words many of us would rather avoid: diet and exercise!

Long-term studies of aging have identified several habits associated with better brain health and a lower risk of cognitive decline.

Mom has quit bathing. Why?She used to be meticulous about her appearance. Now she may wear the same clothes for days, re...
10/06/2026

Mom has quit bathing. Why?

She used to be meticulous about her appearance. Now she may wear the same clothes for days, resist taking a shower, or insist that she already bathed.

For families, that change can be frustrating and confusing. But it may be an important sign that dementia has progressed and Activities of Daily Living are becoming harder to manage.

Bathing is not one simple task. The brain has to recognize that it is time to bathe, gather what is needed, undress, turn on the water, regulate the temperature, remember the sequence of washing and rinsing, dry off, and get dressed again.

As dementia progresses, a person may lose the ability to organize and complete all of those steps independently.

What looks like stubbornness or a lack of concern about personal hygiene may actually be a sign that the brain can no longer successfully manage the task.

Instead of asking, “Why won’t Mom bathe?” ask, “What part of bathing can Mom no longer do without help?”

That change in perspective can help families recognize when their loved one needs more guidance and assistance with everyday life.

Donepezil. Rivastigmine. Galantamine.These medications are commonly associated with treating symptoms of Alzheimer’s dis...
09/28/2026

Donepezil. Rivastigmine. Galantamine.

These medications are commonly associated with treating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. But that doesn’t mean they are appropriate for every dementia.

In Frontotemporal Dementia, Alzheimer’s medications may offer little benefit, and some may actually worsen behaviors such as impulsivity or disinhibition.

Instead, treatment for FTD often focuses on the particular symptoms the person is experiencing, along with behavioral and environmental approaches.

The takeaway for families is simple:

Don’t just ask, “What medication treats dementia?”
Ask, “What medication is appropriate for this dementia?”

Medication decisions should be individualized and discussed with a healthcare professional familiar with the specific dementia.

A diagnosis of “dementia” doesn’t tell the whole story, especially when it comes to medication.Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy...
09/24/2026

A diagnosis of “dementia” doesn’t tell the whole story, especially when it comes to medication.

Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia and other dementias affect the brain differently. A medication that is appropriate for one may provide little benefit or even cause problems in another.

That’s one more reason why it's important to get an accurate dementia diagnosis.

Over the next few posts, we’ll look at some important medication differences families and caregivers should know about.

Medication decisions should always be made with a healthcare professional familiar with the person’s specific type of dementia.

Dementia is confusing enough without a language barrier.El Libro Pequeño Sobre La Demencia brings the practical, easy-to...
09/22/2026

Dementia is confusing enough without a language barrier.
El Libro Pequeño Sobre La Demencia brings the practical, easy-to-understand guidance of The Itty Bitty Dementia Book to Spanish-speaking families and caregivers.

It explains what dementia is, what changes to expect, and why a person with dementia may think, communicate and behave differently, all in a concise format designed to make a complicated disease easier to understand.

Because every family deserves information that helps them better understand the person they love.

On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/El-Libro-Peque%C3%B1o-Demencia-Spanish/dp/B0D8B5J6CF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32OFMZ1D7GRCO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.79Rd8iMLlmh401U6cAdobOobQZY-7E4EJ9-FakCeFEMQ0Gy7FduhC2SAsbgOA0js1gqmBm-Xoj60bfRwujnpfiV_7FDj3AHEqqwpaAiWjKmdiqPWlhfeEwCxGXeiH8IjMR9sR3EMzCK4ZSasUrC8FuVkyZDG1i1VcoL4-deYvrnBbhz4z4uNoq8DSVfKHt7j8ND6ZqQc3oBeLOscgGYfRsaZ-oZXsU01tidmjLyEvUc.ljGbzJxWMR1aVccMQtXJONQGVgmuYe75Ulj47NkDyQ4&dib_tag=se&keywords=el+libro+peque%C3%B1o+sobre+la+demencia&qid=1790078472&sprefix=el+libro+pequeno+sobre+la+demencia%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1

Does your loved one with dementia seem increasingly unsteady, lose coordination or have difficulty with movements that o...
09/17/2026

Does your loved one with dementia seem increasingly unsteady, lose coordination or have difficulty with movements that once came naturally? This may be ataxia, one of the A’s of Dementia.

Ataxia is a loss of coordination that can occur as dementia damages brain systems involving the cerebellum and medulla oblongata. These areas help control balance, coordinated movement, speech, swallowing and other essential body functions.
You may notice:
• An unsteady walk
• Poor coordination
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty swallowing

These changes are important reminders that dementia affects much more than memory. As more areas of the brain are damaged, the body can gradually lose abilities that once seemed automatic.

Does your loved one with dementia struggle to complete familiar tasks — like getting dressed, using utensils or followin...
09/15/2026

Does your loved one with dementia struggle to complete familiar tasks — like getting dressed, using utensils or following the steps of a routine?

This may be apraxia, one of the A’s of Dementia.
Apraxia is the loss of the ability to carry out learned, purposeful movements, even though the muscles may still be able to move. It can occur when areas of the brain involved in planning and coordinating movement, including the parietal lobe, become damaged.

What once seemed automatic may suddenly require prompting, step-by-step guidance or hands-on help.

Understanding that these difficulties are caused by changes in the brain can help families adjust expectations and provide the support their loved one needs.

Agnosia is the inability to recognize or correctly interpret what is seen, even though the eyes may still work normally....
09/10/2026

Agnosia is the inability to recognize or correctly interpret what is seen, even though the eyes may still work normally.

A person with dementia may:
• Look at a familiar object but not know what it is
• Fail to recognize a familiar face
• Misidentify what they are seeing
• Become confused by everyday surroundings
• Struggle to make sense of visual information

It's not poor eyesight. It reflects damage to the part of the brain responsible for processing and interpreting visual input.

Understanding agnosia can help families respond with more patience and support, using verbal cues, gentle guidance and a calm environment to reduce confusion.
The brain does more than help us see. It helps us understand what we are seeing.

Address

Evant, TX

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Becoming Dementia Aware posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category