June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, support families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and “go purple” for the Alzheimer’s movement. At The Heritage of Overland Park, we see this month as a reminder that brain health is shaped by everyday routines. Movement, sleep, nutrition, [...]
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a national awareness campaign led by the Alzheimer’s Association to encourage conversation, education, and action around Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Throughout this month, the Alzheimer’s Association invites people to “go purple,” the color of the Alzheimer’s movement, to raise awareness and show support for [...]
Each year, the Alzheimer’s Association publishes Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, a national report that brings together current research, statistics, and public health information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This report is an important resource for families, caregivers, health professionals, senior living providers, and anyone who wants to better understand the growing impact [...]
Memory loss often changes daily life gradually. At first, a loved one may forget a name, misplace an item, or repeat a story. Over time, the changes may begin to affect routines that once felt automatic: taking medication, preparing meals, keeping appointments, paying bills, bathing, driving, or staying socially connected. For families, this can [...]
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, daily function, and, in some cases, cognition and behavior. The disease can onset gradually. Early symptoms may be subtle, such as a slight tremor, stiffness, reduced arm swing, changes in handwriting, or slower movement. Over time, Parkinson’s affects walking, balance, speech, swallowing, sleep, mood, [...]
Caring for an aging parent, spouse, or family member with long-term needs is love in action. It's also a surprising amount of scheduling, sorting, reminding, lifting, calling, documenting, and wondering where that one insurance card went. No tool can do the caring for you. But the right ones can act like small tokens of [...]
At The Heritage of Overland Park, we often speak with families who are just beginning to explore what support their loved one may need. One of the most common topics that comes up is the cost of memory care and how it is determined. Memory care communities provide specialized support for individuals living with [...]
When families begin exploring memory care, one of the most helpful steps is visiting communities and asking thoughtful questions. A tour can reveal how a community supports residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Knowing what to look for can help you feel more confident as you evaluate whether a community such as The Heritage of Overland Park may be the right fit for your loved one.
Few behaviors are more frightening for families than wandering. One moment your loved one is nearby, and the next they are trying to leave the house or have already stepped outside alone. For families in Overland Park and throughout Johnson County, wandering can quickly shift from occasional concern to serious safety risk. Understanding why [...]
Understanding what sundowning is and why it happens can help families respond with calm, supportive strategies.