Alzheimer's Support, LLC

10/30/2025

Safe Medication Practices in the Alzheimer's Community.

Caregivers often ask: When should I step in? How do I balance my loved one’s independence with their safety? This article offers guidance on recognizing when help is needed, along with practical tips to make medication management safe, consistent, and less overwhelming.

When the Person Can Still Take Their Own Medication
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, many people are still able to take medications with a little support. Encouraging independence for as long as possible can help them feel capable and valued, while also easing your caregiving load.

Helpful tips:
- Set reminders: Use alarms on a phone, a talking clock, or a simple pill reminder app.
- Simplify the system: Weekly pill organizers can reduce confusion about whether a dose has already been taken.
- Written instructions: A large-print list of daily medications can be posted in the kitchen or bedroom as a gentle guide.
- Supervised independence: Watch discreetly at first to be sure your loved one is taking the correct pills at the correct times.

It’s important to reassess regularly. Even if things go smoothly for weeks, sudden changes in memory or attention may mean extra help is now needed.
Signs It’s Time to Step In
Medication management should shift from independent to caregiver-led when:
- Pills are left untaken, lost, or found scattered.
- Multiple doses are taken because the person forgot they already swallowed them.
- Confusion about which medication is which leads to agitation or resistance.
- Safety risks appear, such as choking, hiding pills, or refusing medications entirely.

It’s natural to feel conflicted about stepping in, but protecting your loved one’s health and safety is an act of love.

Best Practices for Caregivers Managing Medications

When you take over medication management, structure and safety become the priorities.
- Use a locked pill box or dispenser: This prevents accidental double-dosing or tampering.
- Keep a written schedule: Post it somewhere visible and keep a duplicate copy for yourself.
- Coordinate with healthcare providers: Ask about simplifying medication regimens, such as combining pills or reducing unnecessary prescriptions.
- Establish a routine: Give medications at the same time and in the same way every day to reduce confusion.
- Track side effects: Keep a small notebook to record any changes in mood, appetite, or behavior after medication changes.
When Refusals or Struggles Arise
Some individuals with Alzheimer’s may resist taking medications. This can feel discouraging, but there are gentle ways to help:
- Stay calm and patient: Avoid arguing or forcing pills.
- Offer choices: A simple question like “Would you like water or juice with your pill?” can restore a sense of control.
- Disguise the task: Incorporate pill-taking into another activity, such as mealtime.
- Ask the doctor about alternatives: Some medications come in liquid, patch, or dissolvable forms.

Care for Yourself, Too
Medication management can be exhausting. Between appointments, refills, and day-to-day oversight, the caregiver’s role is demanding. Reach out for help when needed; a family member, a visiting nurse, or even an automated medication delivery service can lighten the load.

Remember: keeping medications safe isn’t just about pills, it’s about preserving quality of life, protecting dignity, and offering peace of mind for both you and your loved one.

Whether you are gently guiding your loved one as they manage their own medications or have taken full responsibility, know that every step you take is an act of deep care. With patience, structure, and support, you can make this part of the journey safer and more manageable.

10/28/2025

When Alzheimer’s Confuses a Loved One with Someone They Dislike: How Families Can Cope?

When Alzheimer’s disease enters the home, families often find themselves in heartbreaking and unpredictable situations. One of the most distressing is when a loved one with Alzheimer’s mistakes a family member for someone they deeply disliked in the past. This confusion can lead to anger, threats, or even aggression toward the innocent family member, leaving the household unsettled and divided.

This happened when my grandmother was still alive. She had a niece whom she really disliked. My sister was my grandmother’s pride and joy, but when Alzheimer’s entered the picture, that all changed. She called my sister Natalie, the niece she despised, instead of referring to my sister, Patty, by her correct name. It was difficult because my grandmother was very loving and really gravitated to my sister, who was older than I was. She had to take care of my sister during times when I had to be hospitalized. My mother couldn’t leave a baby alone. It was a difficult situation for my sister, but unavoidable.

It’s important to remember that this reaction is not intentional. Alzheimer’s changes how the brain processes memory, emotions, and recognition. The person is not deliberately rejecting or attacking their loved one; they are responding to a false reality that feels absolutely real to them. While painful, there are compassionate and effective ways to manage and calm these situations before they escalate.
1. Stay Calm and Do Not Argue
When confronted, the natural response may be to defend or argue. But reasoning with someone whose brain is misprocessing reality usually intensifies the conflict. Instead:
- Take a slow breath before responding.
- Use a calm, gentle voice.
- Avoid trying to prove the family member’s true identity.

Validation of feelings, rather than facts, is more effective. For example, saying, “I see that you’re upset and feel unsafe. I’m here to help you feel calm,” can de-escalate tension far more than saying, “That’s not true, I’m your granddaughter!”
2. Step Away if Needed
If the situation feels unsafe, give the person space. The family member who is being “misidentified” should quietly step into another room, allowing someone else to step in and redirect the person with Alzheimer’s. Sometimes a short separation helps the agitation fade.
3. Redirect with Comfort
Redirection is a powerful tool. You can try:
- Playing a favorite piece of music.
- Offering a soothing scent like lavender or vanilla.
- Bringing up a pleasant memory unrelated to the conflict.
- Handing them a comforting object, such as a photo album, blanket, or something familiar from their past.

Sensory comfort often helps shift the brain away from agitation.
4. Assign Roles in the Home
To reduce repeated conflicts, families may need to adjust roles:
- The person who is misidentified should limit one-on-one interactions when possible.
- Other family members can take the lead in caregiving tasks that trigger stress.
- Everyone in the household should understand the situation so they don’t take sides or add tension.

This is not about exclusion, it’s about safety and balance for everyone.
5. Create a Safety Plan
Because threats and aggression can escalate, it’s wise to have a plan:
- Decide ahead of time who will step in if conflict arises.
- Keep breakable or sharp objects out of reach.
- Know when to call for outside help if the situation becomes dangerous.

Safety for all family members, including the one with Alzheimer’s, is the top priority.
6. Seek Professional Support
You do not have to manage this alone. Reach out to:
- The loved one’s doctor, to rule out medical causes of sudden aggression (such as infections or pain).
- Alzheimer’s support groups, where other families share real-life strategies.
- Professional counselors or respite services, who can guide the family and provide relief.

A Gentle Reminder
Your loved one is not choosing this behavior. Alzheimer’s changes the way they perceive the world, and in their world, they react to someone they genuinely believe is a threat or a disliked figure from their past. By responding with patience, redirection, and safety strategies, families can reduce disharmony and protect both the person with Alzheimer’s and the family member caught in the confusion.

This is a heavy burden, but you are not alone. There are resources, professionals, and communities ready to support and guide you. What matters most is creating an environment of compassion, understanding, and safety, even when the disease makes that feel difficult.

10/28/2025

10/16/2025

Beautiful

One-day DIY Small Rock Landscaping Ideas

10/16/2025

The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠
Comparing the Cost of Alzheimer’s Care Options

The Rising Cost of Traditional Alzheimer’s Care
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia is both a labor of love and a financial challenge. Families often face difficult choices, how to balance safety, comfort, and connection with affordability.
Here’s a look at how traditional care options, residential facilities, home health care, and adult day programs compare with an innovative, personalized, and cost-effective alternative: The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠, created by Alzheimer’s Support, LLC (alzheimerssupport4u.com).
Residential or Memory Care Facilities
Residential memory care communities provide 24-hour supervision, structured routines, and specialized staff for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. While they offer important safety and support, the price is steep.
• The average cost for memory care is $6,000 to $8,500 per month, depending on location and services.
• Some higher-end facilities charge over $10,000 per month, reaching $120,000 annually.
These facilities can give peace of mind, but they also separate loved ones from their familiar surroundings and are rarely covered by insurance or Medicare.
Home Health Care
For those who prefer home comfort, hiring professional caregivers is an alternative, but the costs add up quickly.
• Average rate: around $33 per hour.
• Full day (8 hours) of care equals about $7,900 per month.
• 24-hour care can exceed $20,000 monthly, surpassing many facility costs.
Home care provides flexibility but often leaves family members emotionally and financially stretched, especially as care needs increase.
Adult Day Care Services
Adult day programs offer structured activities and supervision during daytime hours, giving caregivers valuable respite.
• Average cost: about $70 per day, or $1,400 to $2,800 per month, depending on frequency.
• They provide helpful engagement but are limited to certain hours and require transportation.
The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠
A Personal, Affordable, and Life-Changing Option
Developed by Alzheimer’s Support, LLC, this online teaching program empowers caregivers to provide personalized, non-medical comfort and stimulation for their loved ones, right at home. There are several videos to help you easily absorb what to do.
For a one-time investment of $457, caregivers gain access to a comprehensive, heart-centered program that can reduce or even eliminate the need for costly outside services, saving thousands of dollars each year while allowing loved ones to remain in familiar surroundings.
What Makes This Program Unique
1. Relaxation Techniques for Both the Individual and the Caregiver
Caregivers learn soothing methods that calm agitation, ease anxiety, and help both parties experience peace together. These techniques build emotional connection while reducing stress and burnout. The H.E.A.R.T.S Process© is part of this program. This enjoyable technique produces a calming effect that is comforting and highly effective not only for the individual with Alzheimer’s and other dementias but also for the caregivers. This effective technique was developed in England for cancer patients. It was soon realized that it was highly successful for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

2. The World-Renowned Music & Memory® Program
The training includes the remarkable Music & Memory® program, known worldwide for bringing joy back to individuals who were previously uncommunicative.
o Many begin to speak or sing again, often recalling lyrics from songs that touched their lives.
o These meaningful moments can be repeated again and again, offering renewed joy for the entire family.
3. Personalized Aromatherapy by a Certified and Registered Aromatherapist
Each plan is customized to meet the individual’s needs, addressing anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, aggression, and more. Every recommendation is designed for safety and maximum benefit, guided by a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist (CCA) and Registered Aromatherapist (RA).
4. Other Non-Invasive, Relaxation-Based Techniques
Additional gentle approaches enhance comfort, focus, and overall well-being, creating an environment of calm and connection within the home.
Cost and Value Comparison
Care Option Average Monthly Cost Care Environment Focus Emotional & Financial Impact
Residential / Memory Care $6,000–$10,000+ Facility Medical & custodial Costly, less personal
Home Health Care $4,000–$20,000+ Home Daily living assistance High caregiver expense
Adult Day Care $1,400–$2,800 Day center Social engagement Limited hours
Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠ $397 one-time Home Connection, communication, relaxation Lifelong benefit; saves thousands
The Real Difference
Beyond the numbers, The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠ offers something money can’t measure: meaningful moments of connection. Families see their loved ones light up again through music, touch, and soothing aromatherapy. The loved one remains with the people they love and trust. This connection cannot be understated. We all want the comfort of being with individuals who love and want the best for us.
This program not only supports the person living with Alzheimer’s but also renews the caregiver’s strength, hope, and peace of mind.
Traditional Alzheimer’s care can cost tens of thousands of dollars each year.
The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠, at just $447 (a $50 introduction discount), offers an extraordinary, affordable, and personal path to comfort, helping caregivers bring joy and calm back into everyday life. In addition, the first 25 people to purchase The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠ training program will receive the book I just finished, which includes additional caring ways and techniques to support you as unexpected issues emerge, as soon as it is printed.
Should the time come when your loved one's medical needs require moving to a care facility, you will have already reduced costs through your use of The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠, and you’ll be able to carry those same comforting techniques into the facility to keep the benefits going.
To learn more or begin today, visit alzheimerssupport4u.com.

10/13/2025

It sounds like he found his forever home. Lucky boy

This is not my cat. This cat has never paid rent here, signed a lease, or even introduced himself, yet he’s in the kitchen making intense eye contact like we’ve shared snacks since kindergarten. I live pretty rural, so I strolled over to the nearest neighbor to confirm—nope, not theirs either, just a wandering gentleman with impeccable social skills. He has adopted the house, the chair, and possibly my last nerve, and is currently accepting head pats like a long-lost roommate. If anyone is missing a very polite orange stranger, he’s here interviewing me for the position of ‘new human.

09/23/2025

A relaxing session watching movies with Dachshund 😝

08/17/2025

Different, lol

"Today, I spent the whole morning pouring this concrete path, carefully making sure every inch was smooth and perfect. Took a short break, came back, and boom, this turtle had taken its sweet time strolling through like it was making a VIP entrance. At first, I was pretty pi**ed, knowing I’d have to redo the whole thing.

But as I looked at those little tracks, I couldn’t help but laugh. I guess I learned something important today: no matter how slow you are, you can still leave a big mark… and I don’t know if I should redo it or leave it as a piece of art."

06/17/2025

So cute

06/16/2025