American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Dementia
Dementia is a group of symptoms often caused by changes in brain structure. It often occurs in older people but… people. What causes dementia? Dementia is caused by the damage of brain cells. A brain disease, such as Alzheimer’s, could trigger dementia. A brain tumor,…
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You Don’t Have to Handle Dementia Care Alone
When a loved one has dementia, your family doctor can be a trusted resource and partner in their care… I’m a family doctor who practices in an area with a large population of older adults. People often ask me about memory loss and dementia…
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Caring for a Relative Who Has Dementia
Caring for a loved one who has dementia is difficult. Learn how to best care for them while also taking… If your loved one is in the early stages of dementia, they may not require much care. This is a good time for you…
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Plan for the Future After a Diagnosis of Dementia
After a diagnosis of dementia, it’s important for family members to talk about plans for care and support, and to… If you or a family member has been diagnosed with dementia, it’s important to plan for the future. Discussing these issues with family can be…
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Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that is most common in people over the age of 65. There is… What is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia. Dementia is a condition that describes a wide range of symptoms. The symptoms are associated…
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Brain Training for Seniors
Exercising your brain is important to reduce your risk of developing dementia… Alzheimer’s dementia (the no. 1 form of dementia). Other diseases, such as uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, can cause another form of dementia known as vascular dementia (the 2nd most common form of the…
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Early-Onset Alzheimer’s
Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is a disease of the brain that affects people younger than 65. Some may develop symptoms in… Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is a medical condition. It is a disease of the brain and a form of dementia. This condition is sometimes called…
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Preventing Malnutrition in Older Adults
Older adults are more vulnerable to malnutrition. Learn ways to prevent it… As the U.S. population ages, malnourishment is a growing concern. Good nutrition is very important for all older adults. It is especially important for older adults who are ill or have been diagnosed…
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Caregiver Health and Wellness
Caregivers are at increased risk for a number of health problems. Learn about these conditions and what you can do… A caregiver is someone who gives basic care to a person who has a chronic medical condition. A chronic condition is an illness that lasts…
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Advance Directives and Do Not Resuscitate Orders
An advance directive is a legal document. It tells your doctor and family what kind of medical care you want… What is an advance directive? An advance directive is a legal document. It tells your doctor and family what kind of medical care you want…
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Caregiving: Care for Yourself While Caring for Others
Caregivers provide care for people with chronic medical conditions. It can be challenging, and they often experience stress and get… A caregiver is someone who gives basic care to a person who has a chronic medical or intellectual condition. A chronic condition is one…
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Mad Cow Disease
Mad cow disease is a rare and deadly brain disease spread by eating beef products from a cow that has… What is mad cow disease? Mad cow disease is the common name for a very rare and deadly brain disease. The scientific name is…
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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition that affects how your brain processes sensory information (stimuli)… What is sensory processing disorder? Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition that affects how your brain processes sensory information (stimuli). Sensory information includes things you see, hear, smell,…
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Depression in Older Adults
Depression is a common problem in older adults, but it is not part of the aging process. Learn how to… What is depression? Depression is a medical illness. It affects your mental and physical health. Anyone can have depression, including older adults. In addition…
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Nourish Your Brain
A healthy brain is just as important as a healthy body. Many of the things you do to keep your… Your cognitive health is determined by how well your brain can perform mental processes. These include remembering things, learning things, and using language. A healthy…
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Depression and Alzheimer’s Disease
Depression is very common among people who have Alzheimer’s disease, but there are things you can do as a caregiver… What is depression? When doctors talk about depression, they mean the medical illness called major depression. Someone who has major depression has symptoms nearly…
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Getting Motivated to Work Out
Making a habit of working out is difficult to start, but beneficial to your mental and physical health… The hardest part of working out is getting started. We all know we need to do it. Often, we’re glad we did. We feel energized and better…
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Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, means your thyroid gland makes too much hormone. This can cause weight loss, tremors, and… What is hyperthyroidism? Hyperthyroidism is known as overactive thyroid. It occurs when your thyroid gland makes and releases too much thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland…
