The Last Big Laugh

An endearing story by Douglas Todd, about his Great Grandmother and dementia’s emotional toll on her. As his Grandmother aged, laughter became rare, in this story Todd recalls his Grandmother’s laugh.

Reading this made me remember the last time that I heard Great Grams laugh. I mean REALLY laugh.

Great Grams had always had a very jolly laugh. When she thought something was funny, and she started laughing, she almost couldn’t stop. Tears would come to her eyes, roll down her cheeks, and she would still be laughing. Sometimes, she would stop for a minute and then burst out laughing again.

Once dementia took hold of Great Grams, we didn’t hear that laugh very much anymore.

Then, one day there was a sale on pajamas at a nearby store. Grandma found some in Grandpa’s size for only $5, and they were the nice soft cotton flannel that he liked. She bought them…

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Rope to Remember 2010

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From the AlzCare Blog Network

09/03/2010 - 01:41

I got an email recently from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) about dementia caregiving research that won't surprise you. Here is the email:

Good Morning,

Your readers, like two million Canadians, are often...


09/03/2010 - 01:01

You’ve taken your mom to the doctor and she’s upset with you because the doctor’s office was cold. You’ve helped your dad with the yard and he’s annoyed that you didn’t put mow the grass in the right pattern. Why do many elders complain about...


09/02/2010 - 20:58

How many people suffering from Alzheimer's go missing each day?...
By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

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09/02/2010 - 12:18

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Beatitudes for Friends of the AgedEsther Mary Walker
Blessed are they who understandMy faltering step and palsied hand.
Blessed are they who know that my earstodayMust strain to catch the things they...


09/02/2010 - 10:34

Alzheimer's Reading Room

“Anti-amyloid therapeutic drugs represent a valid approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease, but their inability to accumulate in the brain has limited their usefulness,” says Greengard, who is head of the...


The Latest Alzheimer's News

09/03/2010 - 01:41

I got an email recently from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) about dementia caregiving research that won't surprise you. Here is the email:

Good Morning,

Your readers, like two million Canadians, are often faced with taking on the role of a caring for their elderly parents, spouses and/or friends who wish to remain at home while they confront the challenges of aging. While taking care of a loved one can be very fulfilling, it can also be physically and emotionally draining and lead to burn-out and a search for alternatives, including moving the senior to residential care.


09/02/2010 - 19:40

Reuters IndiaWorld Alzheimer's Day Sept. 21Santa Barbara IndependentAs the population ages (Baby Boomers begin retiring next year), Alzheimer's disease will become more prevalent. By 2050 nearly 16 million Americans will ...Staying mentally active could delay Alzheimer's diseaseNECNAlzheimer's Trade-Off for Mentally Active SeniorsU.S. News & World ReportSoluble amyloid beta-protein implicated in Alzheimer's diseasePhysOrg.comLos Angeles Times -Seer Press -BusinessWeekall 181 news articles »


09/02/2010 - 17:05

Globe and MailCancer drug may be used to treat Alzheimer's diseaseRetirementHomes.comResearchers in the United States recently announced that a drug used to treat a certain type of cancer may be able to treat Alzheimer's disease. ...Fisher Scientists Discover Protein that Fuels Alzheimer's Disease, Promising ...PR Newswire (press release)Finding Suggests New Aim for Alzheimer's DrugsNew York TimesStudy Finds More Specific Target to Get at Beta AmyloidBehavioral Health Central (blog)msnbc.com -CNN (blog) -Alzheimer's Societyall 75 news articles »


09/02/2010 - 14:59

Michael Douglas's cancer diagnosis; children, sex, and the media—how parents can gain control.


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