If a senior you love has Alzheimer’s, you know all too well the impact it has on their life and family. Because there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, friends and family members often feel powerless against the disease. Even after the senior has passed away, the emotional toll can linger for many years.

Art therapy has become a proven form of self-expression for people of all ages. It is used in hospitals, schools, assisted living communities, hospice programs, and many other settings. The profession of art therapy has been steadily gaining recognition and support over the past few decades, and it’s easy to understand why.

Traveling may seem implausible when you are the family caregiver for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. From concerns about disrupting the senior’s routine to worries about increased agitation, it’s easy to understand why caregivers feel this way. But with thoughtful planning, taking a family member who has dementia along on a trip is often possible.

A high school student accompanying a centenarian on a ballroom dance. A group of Girl Scouts proudly reciting their pledge to a roomful of beaming seniors. A student in Brazil speaking English for one of the first times in his life to a senior in the United States via webcam.

A trip to a hospital emergency room can present unique challenges for adults with dementia and their caregivers. While we often take for granted that a patient in the hospital will be safe, the truth is that not all healthcare professionals have experience working with people who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a related form of dementia at home can be difficult, especially as the disease progresses. Families frequently turn to memory care communities for help.

When a grandparent or other family elder has Alzheimer’s disease, finding meaningful ways for families to spend time together can seem difficult. Memory loss and struggles with abstract thought processes might make it difficult to play board games and other activities you’ve always enjoyed together.