Spring 2025

Hanover, MA: (781) 659-1877

269 Hanover St., Hanover, MA 02339

What's the Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia?

Although the words "Alzheimer's" and "dementia" are often used interchangeably, they aren't quite the same thing.

It's important to know the differences between their symptoms and how they progress, so you can find more effective ways to manage symptoms and make more informed care decisions for your loved one.

Dementia is an umbrella term for a decline in cognitive function, encompassing various conditions that affect memory, thinking, behavior, and emotion. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, often including memory loss, and is not a specific disease, but rather a group of symptoms caused by damage to brain cells.

On the other hand, dementia is a form of dementia and is a disease. Interestingly, it's the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 - 80% of all dementia cases. Eight other major types of dementia make up the other 20 - 40% of dementia cases.

Contrary to what some think, dementia is not a normal part of aging. Instead, it's caused by physical changes in the brain, usually triggered by diseases like Alzheimer's, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or mini strokes. It goes much deeper than just simple memory lapses, like forgetting your name or where you parked.

Learn more on our blog...

How Reminiscence Therapy Can Help Seniors with Dementia

Those suffering from dementia typically lose their short-term memory, but often can still recall memories from longer ago. That's why reminiscing, or sharing memories from the past, can be such an enjoyable way to connect with these seniors.

It helps them feel valued, content, and peaceful by recollecting happier times from bygone days. Because it's something they can still do, it increases their confidence and lets them feel successful. It gives them a chance to talk for a change, rather than always having to listen to others, and gives them joy in a season of life when much of their days are spent trying to cope.

Additionally, these positive feelings can lead to beneficial physical results, such as decreasing stress, boosting mood, reducing agitation, and minimizing challenging behaviors such as anger or wandering.

There's an art to stimulating memories and meaningful conversation. First, keep in mind that reminiscing is not the same as remembering. Asking a senior with dementia to remember something specific from the past, like a date or name, can be stressful for them because they might feel pressured or inadequate if they can't recall it.

Learn more on our blog...

Daily Senior Care Tip:

14 Ways to Calm Dementia Screaming and Crying

When caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, there may be times when they yell, scream, or cry. They might yell "Help! Help!" at the top of their lungs, or cry inconsolably for long periods of time.

This can be disturbing and upsetting for both of you. It can also be frustrating because the person with dementia can't explain what's causing their distress, they can't or won't stop the behavior, and you don't know how to help.

Learn some common causes of screaming and crying in dementia, as well as 6 things you can do to immediately calm the situation.

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DailyCaring provides practical caregiving tips for everyday challenges even the most experienced caregivers face. We hope you enjoy the content (like the article above) as much as we do! Topics range from Alzheimer's/dementia tips to stress relief pointers.

Sign up for DailyCaring, a daily e-newsletter filled with helpful news you can use, and inspirational senior care tips! You can also follow the DailyCaring Facebook page.

Anniversary Celebrations!

Please join us in congratulating the following colleagues on their work anniversaries:

Kara Perkins - 11 years

Geralyn Ziino - 9 years

Denise May - 9 years

Darlene Blanchard - 6 years

Emmanuella Ekute - 6 years

Amijean Perry - 5 years

Eunice Dodenhoff - 5 years

Smiralda Joseph - 5 years

Donna Levers - 5 years

Josefina Salvador - 5 years

Maria Carvalho - 4 years

Heather Lounder - 4 years

JoAnn Ashfaq - 3 years

Anastasia Kamau - 3 years

Ruth Chandler - 3 years

Nadia Oliveira - 3 years

Erin Cochran - 2 years

Shirley Craig - 2 years

Susan Gunderson - 2 years

Lisa Giordani - 2 years

Elizabeth Littlefield - 2 years

Larry Cassis - 1 year

Jennifer Klemenz - 1 year

Tara McGrath - 1 year

Nicole McNamara - 1 year

Carol McNiff - 1 year

Mikerlange Ripert - 1 year

Suanne Starkey - 1 year

Alzheimer's Family Support Group

The Alzheimer's Family Support Group, based on Cape Cod, helps families navigate the complexities and challenges they face across the span of Alzheimer's and dementia-related diseases.

Services include support groups, consultations, care planning, phone support, education, insurance support, and social and cultural programming - at no cost.

They offer activities (art, music, exercise) almost daily, both to give caregivers a break and to provide stimulation and socialization for those with Alzheimer's.

The AFSG hosted the 2025 Dave Birtwell Walk for Alzheimer's at Scusset Beach in Sandwich on Saturday, May 17. All funds raised help to support their array of no-cost services for families and individuals.

Visit their website for more information.

We're excited to announce 17 new members of the Cahoon Care team over the past quarter:

Sister Sarah Allen

Sal Brann

Mary Connolly

Nordette Downie

Sharie Fields

Sister Esther (Marian) Forrest

Sister Petra (Ruth) Gibson

Dayna James

Pamela Kennard

Tamera Linkletter

Holly McGloin

Mary Ellen Morency

Jamila Mulrain

Jacquiline "Jacqui" Muthee

Sanceia Myers-Scott

Sister Teresa (Joanna) Palermo

Anna Rinaldi

Jelly Drops for Dehydration

Does someone you love or work with struggle with dementia and dehydration?

Introducing Jelly Drops, a game-changing treat that's 95% water, sugar-free, and packed with electrolytes + B vitamins!

Help them thrive, not just survive. Learn more now!

Inspirational Quote

"They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel."

~ Carl W. Buechner

Recent Conferences

Cahoon Care recently attended and hosted tables at local conferences.

18th Annual Educational Conference & Caregiver Day on May 7 in Hingham

Click here to view / download the conference description, speakers, topics, and agenda.

Aging Well Expo on May 14 at Freestyle Living in South Yarmouth

Click here for details about the event, which raised $1,675 for local veterans!

2025-2026

CCSRG Guide

Cape Cod Senior Resource Group is a wonderful organization that unites caring professionals to build a strong, supportive community for seniors in the Cape Cod region.

They offer comprehensive resources, collaborative expertise, and essential funding through charitable initiatives.

One such resource is their annual directory guide, which contains listings for local businesses and organizations that serve the senior population. Their 2025-26 directory will be coming out this spring.

Visit their website to view the flipbook or download the entire guide.

Laughter:

The Best Medicine

Here's a heartwarming family story sent in by one of our clients:

This weekend, Dad was frantically searching for "Krissy" (the nickname he's called me by since I was a girl). I didn't correct him and tell him I was Krissy. Instead, I pulled out a childhood picture of me that he keeps in his room and said, "Here she is!" He smiled and said, "This is my baby girl, Krissy. I love my baby girl." As the tears rolled down my cheeks, I said, "She loves you, too."

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Here's a funny family story that will leave you with a smile on your face:

When my mother was first moved to a nursing home, she got it in her head that if she began falling a lot, she would get kicked out. It made sense, since that's what got her 86'd from AL.

So Mom "fell" at least once a day.

Evidently, one day my mom wanted me to be the one who found her. Mom knew I was coming to visit after lunch, but I hadn't given a specific time.

So not knowing how long I'd be, she decided to take a pillow and blanket while she waited on the floor in her room. Might as well be comfortable, right?

Now that in itself was pretty funny, but what came later was priceless.

The NH had put a pretty strict "fall plan" into place back when Mom was fake falling. She hated it - it was very restrictive. Hated it! So after a while, she quit falling and the plan was stopped.

However - eventually Mom began to fall for real. Never really a hard fall - more of sinking to the floor.

Whenever staff would go into my mother's room and find her on the floor, my mom would snap, "I didn't fall, I was praying."

Priceless.

Gardening Tips for Seniors

Gardening is a wonderful hobby and form of exercise for seniors, offering both mental and physical stimulation as well as fresh air.

As the weather continues to warm up, keep these tips in mind to make gardening easier for your loved one:

1. Build raised garden beds. There are many advantages to raised garden beds for older people. They are much easier to weed and maintain, as they require less bending. It's also easier to control soil type and keep pests out.
2. Sensory gardens are great for older people living with dementia or sensory impairments. Scents from sweet peas, pelargoniums, and roses can stimulate memories.
3. Replace lawns with hard landscaping and pathways to reduce maintenance. However, make sure paths and surfaces are level and safe, with turning spaces and handrails if necessary.

Click here for more gardening tips, including how to do indoor gardening for those who are housebound.

Video Tips: Should You Visit Your Person with Dementia When They Don't Recognize You?

Have you ever wondered if you should still visit your person with dementia even if they don't always recognize you?

Even though your loved one may not know your name or your connection to them any longer, they can still sense that you're an important person in their life. Their eyes can still light up, and they can feel emotions like love.

That's important, because they're not experiencing physical touch or emotional connection as often as when they were living with their family.

So when you visit them, you're still able to love on them and create feelings of warmth and connection. That's what they need to be able to stay happy and healthy throughout their illness.

Learn more in this video.

$$$ Referral Bonus Recipients $$$

Don't forget that we offer a $300 referral bonus. We know the best caregivers know the best caregivers! Please send them our way, and in turn, we'll send money your way.

Call Tammie at (207) 610-3280 in Maine, or Karen at (781) 635-4968 in Massachusetts with your referrals.

This past quarter, we had one referral:

Nordette Downie

(referred by Sanceia Myers-Scott)