Blog Posts: Alzheimer's and dementia

Learn about brain health through the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal’s interactive e-learning lessons.

What if protecting your brain were as simple as rolling up your sleeve? New research shows that common vaccines, such as those for shingles, flu, and pneumonia, may lower your risk of dementia by 20%.

Research highlights the benefits of exercise for our body and mind! Don't miss tips and tricks on how to get and stay active.

Are sensory loss and cognitive decline linked? Find out what the research has to say!

Understanding the difference between normal aging and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is crucial for recognizing when cognitive changes may require attention. Learn more and watch a webinar recording where Drs. Anthony Levinson and Richard Sztramko provide valuable insights into these distinctions, the risk factors, and strategies for managing cognitive health.

Did you know that 45% of dementias could be delayed or prevented? In this 5-minute video, neuropsychiatrist Dr. Anthony Levinson describes what dementia is and the non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors that can contribute to it.

Research spotlights where home-based strategies can be effective.

Research points to strategies that aim to help people living with dementia improve sleep, depressive symptoms, and everyday functioning.

Many older adults experience cognitive changes that can make understanding, communication and decision making difficult. Visual methods of communication can help address these challenges, leading to improved autonomy, confidence, and social well-being.

In this 2-minute video, Dr. Anthony Levinson gives an overview of Alzheimer disease, its prevalence, signs and symptoms, and the difference between normal age-related cognitive changes and dementia.

In this webinar recording, Drs. Tricia Woo and Anthony Levinson demystify the role that genetics and other non-modifiable risk factors play in a person's risk of developing dementia. Discover the difference between sporadic and familial Alzheimer disease and learn about the role of susceptibility genes in increasing your risk. Learn about genetic testing and who should get a test. Explore how to reduce your risk, delay the onset, or slow the progression of dementia by addressing various modifiable risk factors to reduce damage to the brain and to increase capacity.

Research addresses questions around side effects related to commonly prescribed cognitive enhancers.

Pain reduction in people living with dementia. Non-drug options may be a good first step.

Currently, treatments for dementia are limited. This makes prevention that much more important. The idea that you could do something about your risk of dementia is a relatively new concept. In this webinar, Drs. Anthony Levinson and Richard Sztramko discuss dementia and how you can decrease your personal risk of developing it by addressing various modifiable risk factors. It's never too early or too late to reduce your risk.

Learn about early-stage strategies that may help you as a caregiver for a person with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

Take a look at what the evidence says about non-drug options for dementia-related sleep problems.

We often hear about cases of older adults being victims of poor care, being neglected or being financially abused by their family caregivers. But sometimes, it is the family caregiver who is a victim. How can we determine if this is the symptoms of a disease or an act of abuse?

Living with dementia or caring for someone who is? Research highlights 3 more strategies for improving cognitive or psychological health.

Older adults, whether cognitively impaired or not, use three types of strategies to cope with memory loss: external, internal and behavioural strategies.

Sleep and sleep quality play an important role in keeping us healthy. There are multiple strategies that aim to help us sleep longer or better; research sheds light on which ones are effective and which ones we may want to pass on.