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Dr. Hao Huang
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Sundowning in Dementia
Published September 5th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Understanding Sundowning in Dementia (Adapted from the Alzheimer’s Association, Cleveland Clinic, Family Caregiver Alliance, and other expert sources) 📖 What is Sundowning? Sundowning (also called late-day confusion, sundown syndrome) refers to a pattern of increased confusion, agitation, disorientation etc. in people with dementia, usually during l
Applying to Care Facilities with Dementia - An Inconvenient Truth
Published November 12th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
The Risks of Hiding a Dementia Diagnosis When Applying to a Care Facility It can be very hard for families to face a dementia diagnosis. Sometimes, when a loved one needs to move into a care facility, families may be tempted to downplay or hide the diagnosis — hoping to make placement easier or less expensive. Unfortunately, this choice can lead to
Aggression and Anger
Published September 8th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Aggression & Anger in Dementia (For caregivers, family, and friends) What it is Aggression in dementia can be verbal (shouting, name-calling) or physical (hitting, pushing). It may happen suddenly or be triggered by frustration, discomfort, or environmental stress. The behavior is a symptom of the disease, not a choice. Understanding common caus
Fall Prevention
Published October 23rd, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
ChatGPT said: Fall Prevention in Dementia Care Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, and individuals with dementia are at an even higher risk due to cognitive and physical challenges. Implementing effective fall prevention strategies is crucial to ensure safety and maintain quality of life. 1. Understanding the Increased Fall Ris
Understanding Hospice Care
Published August 7th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Understanding Hospice Care: Levels of Care, Benefits, and Common Myths Hospice care is specialized medical care for people with a serious, life-limiting illness. The focus is on comfort, dignity, and quality of life, rather than curing the disease. Hospice also provides support for families, including emotional, social, and spiritual care. Hospice i
Fall Safety - Transfers
Published January 28th, 2026 by Dr. Hao Huang
Fall Safety in Older Adults — Transfer Safety Why Fall Safety Matters One in four adults age 65+ falls each year, often during everyday activities such as standing, transferring, or moving around the home. Falls can result in serious injuries, loss of independence, and hospitalization. Safe Transfer Techniques Transfers are moments when falls common
VA Infosheet
Published September 12th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
VA Dementia Care Benefits – Patient Information Sheet For Veterans and Families This guide explains how to figure out what benefits a Veteran may qualify for and how dementia care is supported within the VA system. It is written for families who may be exploring VA benefits for the first time. Take Home: If you are 70% service connected, you may be
Repetition
Published November 19th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Understanding Repetitive Behaviors in Dementia What Are Repetitive Behaviors? Repetitive behaviors (also called perseveration) in dementia often involve repeating a word, question, gesture, or activity (like pacing or tapping). These behaviors are common, especially in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. They are usually not purposeful in the s
Leaving the Hospital
Published February 18th, 2026 by Dr. Hao Huang
Patient Education for Caregivers: What to Ask and Do When Your Loved One Is Being Discharged from the Hospital For caregivers of older adults with dementia When a person with dementia is discharged from the hospital, caregivers play a critical role in ensuring a safe transition. Hospital discharge is a high-risk period, and clear communication with
Hallucinations and Delusions
Published September 9th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Hallucinations & Delusions in Dementia: A Caregiver’s Guide What Caregivers Need to Know People with dementia may experience hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not real) or delusions (firm false beliefs, like thinking someone is stealing from them). These symptoms can be upsetting for both the person and their caregiver.
Difficult Conversations in Dementia
Published November 25th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Having Difficult Conversations with a Person Living with Dementia A compassionate, practical guide for families and caregivers Why these conversations matter Talking early and honestly about memory problems helps your loved one stay involved in decisions, protects their safety, and reduces stress later. These discussions work best when done graduall
Clinical Trials for Dementia - Resources
Published January 9th, 2026 by Dr. Hao Huang
Finding Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials A Guide for Patients and Families Participating in a clinical trial can give you access to new treatments, closer medical monitoring, and a chance to contribute to Alzheimer’s research. Participation is always voluntary. Ways to Find Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials 1. Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) NIH-f
Driving and Dementia
Published October 16th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Driving and Dementia: A Patient & Caregiver Guide Purpose: This guide is for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers to understand how dementia affects driving, recognize safety concerns, plan for transportation alternatives, and approach what can be a very difficult conversation. 1. Understanding Dementia and Driving Dementia ca
Financial Planning for Persons Living with Dementia
Published August 5th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
🧾 Financial Planning Checklist for Dementia (General) For Patients, Families, and Caregivers 💡 Why Early Planning Matters Start financial and legal planning as soon as possible after diagnosis Involve the person with dementia in decision-making Early planning helps: • Protect assets • Avoid legal complications • Reduce caregiver burden • Ensur
Types of Dementia
Published October 9th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Understanding the Different Types of Dementia When we hear the word dementia , many of us immediately think of Alzheimer’s disease. But dementia isn’t just one condition — it’s an umbrella term for a group of disorders that affect memory, thinking, and daily life. Understanding the different types is important for families because: Different dementi
Nursing (Post-Acute and Skilled Nursing) Home Navigation
Published August 5th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Main Recommended Resource for Nursing Home and Rehab Navigation Medicare Care Compare 🔗 https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/ Click the left-hand column on “Nursing homes including rehab services.” Note that the search will include both Post-Acute Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility results. Post-Acute Rehab: A place where patients go after the hosp
RCFE Guide - How to Choose and Vet an Assisted Living Facility
Published February 19th, 2026 by Dr. Hao Huang
Patient & Caregiver Guide: Choosing the Right RCFE in California for Dementia This guide is designed for families placing a loved one with dementia into assisted living (RCFE) in California. Step 1: Understand what an RCFE is (and isn’t) RCFE = assisted living (not a nursing home) They provide: Medication assistance Supervision Help with bathing
Medications for Challenging Behaviors in Dementia
Published September 25th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Definitions: We don't really need to tell you what the challenging behaviors in dementia can be, you live this life every day. But to make sure we are on the same page, in this article we are talking about behaviors such as: Agitation Aggression (physical or verbal) Depression or anxiety Irritability/emotional lability Paranoia, delusions, or halluc
Nutrition in Dementia
Published March 18th, 2026 by Dr. Hao Huang
Nutrition & Hydration in Dementia: A Caregiver Guide Good nutrition and hydration are essential for health, energy, and quality of life in people living with dementia. Changes in appetite, eating habits, and the ability to eat can be part of dementia and affect overall wellbeing. The tips below can help make eating easier, healthier, and more en
Personal Care Agreement Sample Template
Published March 5th, 2026 by Dr. Hao Huang
Personal Care & Financial Agreement for __________________ Purpose: This agreement clarifies caregiving responsibilities and financial roles among family members or other caregivers for ____________________, who has dementia. Its goal is safe, consistent care and transparent management of resources. It is intended to be a template, and may not b
Hoarding
Published February 17th, 2026 by Dr. Hao Huang
Patient Education: How to Deal With Hoarding in Dementia Hoarding is a common behavior in people living with dementia. It can be distressing for caregivers and may create safety risks, but it is important to understand that hoarding is caused by changes in the brain and is not intentional. This guide explains why hoarding happens and provides practi
Long-Term Care Insurance
Published February 23rd, 2026 by Dr. Hao Huang
Long-Term Care Insurance: Guide for Caregivers How to Maximize Benefits, Navigate Claims, and Coordinate with Taxes and Care Providers 1. What Long-Term Care Insurance Covers (and Why It Matters) Long-term care insurance (LTCI) pays for custodial care, which is help with daily functioning, not medical treatment. This includes care for people with: D
Challenging Behaviors - General
Published December 18th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
1. What Are “Challenging Behaviors” in Dementia? In the context of dementia, challenging behaviors are changes in actions, emotions, or reactions that are distressing, unsafe, or difficult for the person living with dementia or for those providing care. These behaviors are not intentional and are not within the person’s control. As dementia affects
Wandering
Published September 8th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Wandering in Dementia: A Practical Guide for Caregivers Understanding the Risk Wandering is common in dementia—and it can occur at any stage. Around 6 in 10 people with dementia will wander at least once, and many multiple times It may be triggered by confusion, unmet needs (like hunger or toileting), restlessness, or a desire to fulfill past respo
Stove Safety
Published February 5th, 2026 by Dr. Hao Huang
Stove Safety Options in the Context of Dementia Does the person living with dementia leave the stove on? For people living with dementia, the kitchen can become a high-risk environment, particularly when it comes to stove use. Memory impairment, reduced attention, impaired judgment, and difficulty with task sequencing can lead to burners being left
Mobility - Forgetting or Refusing Mobility Assistance
Published March 20th, 2026 by Dr. Hao Huang
Helping Someone with Dementia Use Their Walker or Cane Why It’s Important Mobility aids like walkers and canes help reduce falls, support balance, and promote independence. People with dementia often resist using them — not because they can’t , but because of how they feel, think, or interpret what the aid means. Strategies to Encourage Use 1. Simpl
Resisting Care
Published September 23rd, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Resisting Care People with dementia often resist care because they’re scared, confused, in pain, embarrassed, or don’t understand the need for help. Changing routine, feeling rushed, or being asked to do something they can no longer follow can trigger a “no.” Often, non-drug strategies work best. Before you start (plan ahead) Make sure basic needs a
Understanding Home-Based Services
Published August 7th, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
Type of Care What it is Who it’s for Services may include Who provides it Paid by Home Care (Non-Medical) Support with everyday activities provided by trained caregivers (not nurses or doctors). People who need help with daily tasks but do not need skilled medical care. -Bathing, dressing, grooming -Meal preparation and feeding -Companionship -Help
MIND Diet
Published August 22nd, 2025 by Dr. Hao Huang
MIND Diet — Wiki 1) What is the MIND diet? The MIND diet (Mediterranean–DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) is an eating pattern that blends key elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets and emphasizes foods linked with better brain health and slower cognitive decline. In its scoring system, foods are grouped as “brain-healthy” (to eat
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