Blog and News

Alzheimer’s and the family

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis is unquestionably difficult for the whole family. Watching your loved one’s personality change and coordinating care with other family members all present challenges that can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are steps you can ...

Falling off the cliff: Dementia doesn’t worsen overnight

By Dr. Brent P. Forester, MSc., Geriatric Psychiatrist, Bridges by EPOCH at Westford Imagine the following scenario: Your mother has Alzheimer’s disease and is not only forgetful, but also easily agitated, especially in the late afternoon hours. She ...

The self-administered Alzheimer’s test

The latest Alzheimer’s news has been awash with stories about a simple pen-and-paper test that could help detect Alzheimer’s.Known as the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination, or Sage for short, the test is comprised of 22 questions and takes ...

Easing the transition to a memory care community

By Dr. Brent P. Forester, MSc., Geriatric Psychiatrist, Bridges by EPOCH at WestfordTransitioning to an assisted living community may be challenging to the individual with dementia, their loved ones and caregivers, and to the community who must help ...

Alzheimer’s signs may be present in childhood

According to a new study, individuals who carry a high-risk gene for Alzheimer’s can show brain changes as early as childhood—decades before the onset of the disease. The gene is called SORL1. Previous studies have shown that the gene may play a role ...

Singing helps people with dementia

A new study supports a growing body of evidence that suggests singing helps boost cognitive functioning for people with dementia. Over the course of four months, a group of researchers examined the impact of singing familiar songs on people with ...

Dementia and depression

By Dr. Brent P. Forester, MSc., Geriatric Psychiatrist, Bridges by EPOCH at WestfordDepression occurs in about 50 to 60 percent of individuals with all forms of dementia, including the Alzheimer’s type of dementia. Symptoms can include emotional ...

Delay dementia: Learn another language

The latest Alzheimer’s research offers some good news for bilingual individuals: speaking two or more languages may delay dementia symptoms.The new study, published in the journal Neurology, examined 648 people with various types of dementia, ...

The role of the geriatric psychiatrist in memory care

By Dr. Brent P. Forester, MSc., Geriatric Psychiatrist, Bridges by EPOCH at WestfordBehavioral and emotional disturbances are virtually universal over the course of an individual's journey through the illness of dementia. These symptoms vary based on the ...

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: Alzheimer’s warning signs

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Most people understand that Alzheimer’s disease affects memory as well as thinking and reasoning skills. Less commonly understood is the difference between normal aging and Alzheimer’s ...

Author defies Alzheimer’s challenges

NPR recently aired an inspirational story on Sir Terry Pratchett, a best-selling British author who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2007. Pratchett has a rare, peculiar form of the disease known as Posterior Cortical Atrophy, or ...

Blood pressure drugs may lower Alzheimer’s risk

The journal Neurology recently published a study that found common blood pressure drugs may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The study, conducted at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, observed more than 2,200 adults aged ...
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