Alzheimer’s disease affects far more than memory. As the disease progresses, many patients experience increasing difficulty with basic bodily functions—most notably bowel movements and urination. Constipation, urinary retention, and incontinence are common and often misunderstood complications that can significantly impact comfort, dignity, and overall health. Understanding why these issues occur and how to prevent complications through structured care, environmental support,

By a Therapist by Day and a Caregiver by Night By day, I am a therapist—trained to assess, document, treat, measure outcomes, and discharge. I speak the language of goals, functional gains, evidence-based practice, and reimbursement. By night, I am a caregiver to a family member with dementia—managing medications, redirecting behaviors, navigating emotional loss, and living in the reality that progress is often nonlinear or nonexistent. Living in both worlds has shown me a po

Recently there has been growing discussion about terminology shifts tied to student loans and federal descriptions of rehabilitation professionals. While some may view these changes as simple semantics, the impact is far deeper and far more concerning. The language being used reflects a blatant lack of respect for our fields—and the consequences could permanently alter how Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists are recognized, reimburse

⸻ When we think about dementia, it’s easy to feel like there isn’t much we can do. But research tells us something encouraging—our daily choices can make a real difference in protecting brain health. While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, we do know that certain habits lower risk and support stronger, healthier brains over time. That’s where SHIELD comes in. SHIELD stands for Sleep, Head Injury Prevention, Exercise, Learning, and Diet. These five building blocks

When actor Bruce Willis shared his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the news created an immediate surge in awareness....

As a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), I’ve asked myself this question more times than I can count: 👉 Why are SLPs so deeply...

If you’ve ever felt like food or liquid “gets stuck,” coughed or choked during meals, or avoided certain foods because they’re hard to...

June 8, 2024: Today was an amazing day. A completely fulfilling experience for me professionally and personally. As a Speech-Language...