How Alzheimer’s separates emotion from language

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex and devastating condition that gradually erodes the brain’s ability to function normally. One of the most striking and heartbreaking effects of Alzheimer’s is how it disrupts the connection between emotion and language, two fundamental aspects…

What brain aging does to memory organization

As the brain ages, it undergoes a variety of changes that significantly affect how memory is organized and processed. These changes are complex and involve structural, functional, and biochemical shifts that collectively influence memory performance, particularly in the domains of…

Why menopause impacts how women feel time and space

Menopause profoundly influences how women perceive time and space due to complex biological, psychological, and neurological changes occurring during this phase. The fluctuating and ultimately declining levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone affect brain function, emotional regulation, and…

How sleep and memory are connected in aging brains

Sleep and memory are deeply intertwined, especially in aging brains where changes in sleep patterns can significantly affect how memories are formed, stored, and recalled. As people grow older, the quality and structure of their sleep often change—there tends to…

What to do when someone asks for a person who has passed

When someone asks for a person who has passed away, it can be a delicate and emotional situation that requires sensitivity, honesty, and compassion. The way you respond can help the person asking to begin processing the loss, or it…

Why the past feels more real than the present

The feeling that the past is somehow more real than the present is a curious and deeply human experience. It’s as if memories, though intangible and long gone, carry a weight and vividness that outshines the fleeting moments we live…

How scent memory can guide someone home

Scent memory can guide someone home by acting as a powerful, often subconscious, navigational aid rooted in the brain’s unique connection between smell and memory. When you encounter familiar odors—like the scent of your neighborhood bakery, a particular flower in…

Why memory care environments must minimize stimulation

Memory care environments must minimize stimulation because individuals with memory impairments, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, are highly sensitive to their surroundings. Excessive sensory input can overwhelm their brains, leading to increased confusion, anxiety, agitation, and behavioral disturbances. Minimizing…

How to help someone who forgets what year it is

Helping someone who forgets what year it is requires patience, understanding, and practical support tailored to their needs. This kind of memory lapse can be a symptom of aging, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or other health issues affecting memory and…

What happens when dreams blend with waking life

When dreams blend with waking life, the boundaries between what is imagined during sleep and what is experienced while awake become blurred, creating a unique state where elements of both realities intermingle. This blending can manifest in various ways—from subtle…