In 2021, Lady Gaga was performing at Radio City Music Hall with the late, great Tony Bennett, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, yet he managed to remember the lyrics and songs they were both singing. Suddenly, he called her by her name, something he hadn’t been able to do during rehearsals. As she recalled,…

Over the years, there have been several studies about the benefits humor can have on one’s health, let alone for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. But it was a chance remark from a Witherell family member that got us thinking: Maybe there was something visitors could do to brighten their visits…

Dementia affects more than 5.8 million people in the United States, according to the CDC. It can be very mild or severe. But experts uniformly caution us not to infantilize or talk down to those with dementia when you wish to communicate. In this week’s Wall Street Journal, Dr. Anne Basting, author of Creative Care:…

When caring for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, an abundance of patience and kindness are something we at the Witherell prize as much as one’s physical care. There is an art to caring for those whose memories are failing them. Gail Carone and Amy Demezzo, two members of our therapeutic recreation team, work at…

According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, 152 million people are expected to have a diagnosis of dementia by 2050. While there’s currently no treatment to slow the progression of this debilitating condition, a recent report in The Wall Street Journal offers hope. Through a review of recent research studies, the Journal notes that there are things…

The good news for brain health? A Mediterranean diet and a daily glass of wine are A-OK. The bad news? Cheese, ice cream, and red meat, which should only be consumed moderately. So advised New York Times personal health columnist, Jane Brody, to a crowd of mentally sharp (and hoping to stay that way) Greenwich…

Building memory muscle to reduce memory loss as you age is as important as keeping physically fit. Recently, the Mayo Clinic identified important activities to build that memory muscle. Here, we’ve combined the Mayo’s wisdom with insight from our own therapeutic recreation department to give you strategies you can use to keep your mind sharp….

Two workshops to be held at 6:30 pm on May 16 and June 20 The statistics are staggering—5.8 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia) and by 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. And for those caring for loved…

The good news for America’s baby boomers is that they’re living longer. In fact, the 65+ demographic will more than double over the next 40 years, according to recent reports. With longevity on the rise, also comes a rise in those with Alzheimer’s Disease, unfortunately. According to The Alzheimer’s Association, “one in three seniors dies…