Alzheimer's Support, LLC

11/25/2025

Tapping a/k/a Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) for Alzheimer’s Disease and Caregivers: A Gentle Tool for Calming Stress and Supporting Care

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease brings moments of love, worry, and exhaustion, sometimes all in the same day. Caregivers often look for safe, simple tools that can ease fear, reduce agitation, and help their loved one feel more grounded. One gentle approach is Tapping Therapy, also called EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques).
Tapping is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and it will not stop the changes in the brain. However, for some individuals, especially in the early and early-mid stages, it may offer calm and comfort. Just as important, it can help caregivers regulate their own stress, which sets the emotional tone in the room.
What Is Tapping Therapy or Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?
EFT uses light tapping with the fingertips on specific points of the face and upper body while you focus on a feeling or thought. As you tap, you repeat simple, reassuring phrases and breathe slowly. Research in older adults, caregivers, and people living with anxiety and trauma has shown that EFT can lower anxiety, improve mood, support better sleep, and reduce levels of stress hormones in the body.
While large studies in people specifically diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are still limited, these calming effects are very meaningful in dementia care, where stress often makes confusion and behavioral changes worse.
How EFT May Help by Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease
Early Stage: Able to Follow Simple Steps
In the early stage, many individuals can still follow short directions and respond to gentle cues. This is usually the best time to introduce tapping.
Tapping in the early stage may help with:
- Anxiety and nervousness about changes
- Frustration when words do not come easily
- Trouble relaxing at night
- Fear about appointments or new situations
A short tapping routine before outings, bathing, or bedtime can sometimes reduce agitation and help the person feel safer and more supported.
Middle Stage: Keep It Very Simple
In the middle stage, some individuals may still tolerate tapping, but the approach needs to be much simpler. Others may find it confusing or unpleasant, especially if they do not like being touched on the face. Let the individual continue tapping themselves as long as they can. This keeps them more interested and engaged with self-calming.
You might:
- Use just one or two tapping points, such as the collarbone or top of the head
- Keep phrases very short, such as “Safe with me” or “We are okay right now.”
- Play soft, familiar music in the background
- Use a calming aroma in the room (for example, lavender in a diffuser if it is safe and well tolerated)
If the person pulls away, looks upset, or seems confused by tapping, stop immediately. In this case, it is usually best to use tapping only for yourself, as the caregiver, not with the person with dementia.

Late Stage: Caregiver-Focused Tapping
In the late stage of Alzheimer’s disease, most individuals cannot understand directions or tolerate facial and upper-body tapping. Because of this, tapping is usually not appropriate for them directly.
However, EFT can still be very helpful for caregivers. You can tap before going into the room, after a difficult episode, or at the end of the day when you feel drained. When you calm your own nervous system, your loved one often feels safer, even if they cannot understand why.
A Simple Tapping Round for Caregivers
You can tap through this short sequence whenever you feel overwhelmed:
Side of hand: “Even though this moment is hard, I can take a breath.”
Eyebrow: “I’m doing my best.”
Side of eye: “This stress…”
Under eye: “This overwhelm…”
Under nose: “It’s okay to pause.”
Chin: “I’m allowed to feel this.”
Collarbone: “I can calm my body.”
Top of head: “I’m finding a little more peace.”
You can repeat this once or twice, or as many times as it feels helpful. Many caregivers find that even a few minutes of tapping helps them feel steadier and supported inside.
Used Gently, EFT Supports Comfort and Connection
EFT may not be right for everyone and is not right for every stage of Alzheimer’s disease. For some, even a gentle touch may feel uncomfortable or confusing. For others, especially in the early to middle stages, it can become a comforting routine, something familiar you do together before bed, after a shower, or when the day feels heavy.
Most of all, tapping gives caregivers a simple tool to turn to when emotions run high. In Alzheimer’s care, those small moments of comfort, calm, and connection matter deeply for both the caregiver and the person living with the disease.

11/19/2025

https://youtu.be/U32HFaVnOSk
Link above for intro video

Hearing and Alzheimer’s: Understanding a Hidden Connection That Affects Daily Life
When you are caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease, every day can feel like a mix of love, worry, and hope. You do everything you can to bring them comfort, peace, and moments of clarity. What many caregivers don’t realize is that hearing plays a powerful role in how your loved one understands the world and connects with you.

Hearing is not just about sound. It is how the brain gathers meaning, emotion, and a sense of safety. When hearing begins to fade, the brain must work harder to fill in the missing pieces. This extra effort can leave your loved one more tired, overwhelmed, or withdrawn. To you, it may appear as if they are slipping further away, when in reality, they may simply be struggling to hear.
When hearing changes, daily life changes
Hearing loss can make conversations feel confusing or exhausting. Your loved one may pull away because they cannot keep up. They may answer questions incorrectly because they hear only part of what was said. They may avoid group settings or family gatherings because the sound becomes overwhelming.
These changes can easily be mistaken for cognitive decline. Many caregivers feel heartbroken when they notice their loved one seems quieter or less responsive. Often, hearing is the silent contributor.

Why this matters for Alzheimer’s
Research continues to show a strong connection between hearing loss and dementia. Scientists now believe that hearing loss may accelerate cognitive decline by affecting how the brain processes and organizes information. When hearing becomes difficult, the brain receives less stimulation and must work harder with fewer resources.

For someone already living with Alzheimer’s, this added strain can make daily life more challenging.

The hopeful part
Here is the encouraging news: hearing is a modifiable factor. Improving hearing can make communication easier, reduce stress, and enhance connection. For many families, updating a hearing aid or having a hearing check has brought back moments of conversation, shared laughter, and peace.
Better hearing also strengthens the effects of music therapy and relaxation techniques, both of which are central to The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠. Adding the pleasant aroma from personalized Aromatherapy is the cherry on top. When they hear the music more clearly, the emotional memories tied to familiar songs can surface more easily, bringing joy and comfort. This feeling of comfort provides relaxation.

What caregivers can do?
These small steps can make a meaningful difference:
• Encourage regular hearing checks
• Make sure hearing aids are clean and working properly
• Reduce background noise when talking
• Sit close, face-to-face, with good lighting
• Use a gentle voice and pause often
• Notice if your loved one seems tired, discouraged, or unsure, and respond with patience
These steps do not require medical training. They are simply ways of supporting the person you love in the world they now live in.

You are not alone
If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to support your loved one as their needs change, please know you are doing better than you think. Caregiving is not easy. It calls on every part of your heart. You deserve support just as much as your loved one does.
At Alzheimer’s Support LLC, everything we do is designed to help you create moments of connection and comfort that bring light into difficult days. Understanding how hearing affects the brain is one more tool that can make your caregiving journey gentler and more meaningful.

11/11/2025

Elopement in Alzheimer’s Disease: Understanding and Preventing Wandering with Compassion

So, what is elopement? When I first heard this term within the Alzheimer’s population, my mind immediately went to a loved one running away to get married. Well, that seemed a bit odd, and it was. It actually means a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia is wandering. This type of behavior is common and can be very dangerous. It is a concerning behavior in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. In this case, it refers to a situation where a person leaves a safe environment, often unnoticed, with the potential of becoming lost, confused, or even harmed. This behavior can happen at any stage of the disease, but it becomes more common as cognitive decline progresses.
They often do not know where their home is, and they may not be dressed appropriately for the weather. They may need food, water, and their medications. Monitoring these individuals becomes extremely important. Many families use monitoring devices to give some warning that their loved one may be venturing out before they get very far.


See more: https://alzheimerssupport4u.com/blogs/blogs/elopement-in-alzheimers-disease-understanding-and-preventing-wandering-with-compassion

11/07/2025

11/04/2025

Sensory Activities That Calm, Connect & Awaken

These activities draw on peer-reviewed evidence and on the daily practice of Alzheimer’s Support LLC’s Wake Up the Brain Process℠. This process blends sensory engagement with music, relaxation, and aromatherapy to bring comfort and reconnection to individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

Learn simple ways to make your loved one’s life better and to bring greater peace into your own.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be one of the most difficult chapters of your life. You want to improve their quality of life, yet it feels like it keeps slipping further away. Here you will find methods and ideas that can help open moments of clarity, connection, and comfort. These may be the answers you have been hoping for.

See more in the first comment

11/04/2025

Sensory Activities That Calm, Connect & Awaken

These activities draw on peer-reviewed evidence and on the daily practice of Alzheimer’s Support LLC’s Wake Up the Brain Process℠. This process blends sensory engagement with music, relaxation, and aromatherapy to bring comfort and reconnection to individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

Learn simple ways to make your loved one’s life better and to bring greater peace into your own.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be one of the most difficult chapters of your life. You want to improve their quality of life, yet it feels like it keeps slipping further away. Here you will find methods and ideas that can help open moments of clarity, connection, and comfort. These may be the answers you have been hoping for.
See the link to the full article in the first comment

10/30/2025

Safe Medication Practices in the Alzheimer's Community.

Caregivers often ask: When should I step in? How do I balance my loved one’s independence with their safety? This article offers guidance on recognizing when help is needed, along with practical tips to make medication management safe, consistent, and less overwhelming.

When the Person Can Still Take Their Own Medication
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, many people are still able to take medications with a little support. Encouraging independence for as long as possible can help them feel capable and valued, while also easing your caregiving load.

Helpful tips:
- Set reminders: Use alarms on a phone, a talking clock, or a simple pill reminder app.
- Simplify the system: Weekly pill organizers can reduce confusion about whether a dose has already been taken.
- Written instructions: A large-print list of daily medications can be posted in the kitchen or bedroom as a gentle guide.
- Supervised independence: Watch discreetly at first to be sure your loved one is taking the correct pills at the correct times.

It’s important to reassess regularly. Even if things go smoothly for weeks, sudden changes in memory or attention may mean extra help is now needed.
Signs It’s Time to Step In
Medication management should shift from independent to caregiver-led when:
- Pills are left untaken, lost, or found scattered.
- Multiple doses are taken because the person forgot they already swallowed them.
- Confusion about which medication is which leads to agitation or resistance.
- Safety risks appear, such as choking, hiding pills, or refusing medications entirely.

It’s natural to feel conflicted about stepping in, but protecting your loved one’s health and safety is an act of love.

Best Practices for Caregivers Managing Medications

When you take over medication management, structure and safety become the priorities.
- Use a locked pill box or dispenser: This prevents accidental double-dosing or tampering.
- Keep a written schedule: Post it somewhere visible and keep a duplicate copy for yourself.
- Coordinate with healthcare providers: Ask about simplifying medication regimens, such as combining pills or reducing unnecessary prescriptions.
- Establish a routine: Give medications at the same time and in the same way every day to reduce confusion.
- Track side effects: Keep a small notebook to record any changes in mood, appetite, or behavior after medication changes.
When Refusals or Struggles Arise
Some individuals with Alzheimer’s may resist taking medications. This can feel discouraging, but there are gentle ways to help:
- Stay calm and patient: Avoid arguing or forcing pills.
- Offer choices: A simple question like “Would you like water or juice with your pill?” can restore a sense of control.
- Disguise the task: Incorporate pill-taking into another activity, such as mealtime.
- Ask the doctor about alternatives: Some medications come in liquid, patch, or dissolvable forms.

Care for Yourself, Too
Medication management can be exhausting. Between appointments, refills, and day-to-day oversight, the caregiver’s role is demanding. Reach out for help when needed; a family member, a visiting nurse, or even an automated medication delivery service can lighten the load.

Remember: keeping medications safe isn’t just about pills, it’s about preserving quality of life, protecting dignity, and offering peace of mind for both you and your loved one.

Whether you are gently guiding your loved one as they manage their own medications or have taken full responsibility, know that every step you take is an act of deep care. With patience, structure, and support, you can make this part of the journey safer and more manageable.

10/28/2025

When Alzheimer’s Confuses a Loved One with Someone They Dislike: How Families Can Cope?

When Alzheimer’s disease enters the home, families often find themselves in heartbreaking and unpredictable situations. One of the most distressing is when a loved one with Alzheimer’s mistakes a family member for someone they deeply disliked in the past. This confusion can lead to anger, threats, or even aggression toward the innocent family member, leaving the household unsettled and divided.

This happened when my grandmother was still alive. She had a niece whom she really disliked. My sister was my grandmother’s pride and joy, but when Alzheimer’s entered the picture, that all changed. She called my sister Natalie, the niece she despised, instead of referring to my sister, Patty, by her correct name. It was difficult because my grandmother was very loving and really gravitated to my sister, who was older than I was. She had to take care of my sister during times when I had to be hospitalized. My mother couldn’t leave a baby alone. It was a difficult situation for my sister, but unavoidable.

It’s important to remember that this reaction is not intentional. Alzheimer’s changes how the brain processes memory, emotions, and recognition. The person is not deliberately rejecting or attacking their loved one; they are responding to a false reality that feels absolutely real to them. While painful, there are compassionate and effective ways to manage and calm these situations before they escalate.
1. Stay Calm and Do Not Argue
When confronted, the natural response may be to defend or argue. But reasoning with someone whose brain is misprocessing reality usually intensifies the conflict. Instead:
- Take a slow breath before responding.
- Use a calm, gentle voice.
- Avoid trying to prove the family member’s true identity.

Validation of feelings, rather than facts, is more effective. For example, saying, “I see that you’re upset and feel unsafe. I’m here to help you feel calm,” can de-escalate tension far more than saying, “That’s not true, I’m your granddaughter!”
2. Step Away if Needed
If the situation feels unsafe, give the person space. The family member who is being “misidentified” should quietly step into another room, allowing someone else to step in and redirect the person with Alzheimer’s. Sometimes a short separation helps the agitation fade.
3. Redirect with Comfort
Redirection is a powerful tool. You can try:
- Playing a favorite piece of music.
- Offering a soothing scent like lavender or vanilla.
- Bringing up a pleasant memory unrelated to the conflict.
- Handing them a comforting object, such as a photo album, blanket, or something familiar from their past.

Sensory comfort often helps shift the brain away from agitation.
4. Assign Roles in the Home
To reduce repeated conflicts, families may need to adjust roles:
- The person who is misidentified should limit one-on-one interactions when possible.
- Other family members can take the lead in caregiving tasks that trigger stress.
- Everyone in the household should understand the situation so they don’t take sides or add tension.

This is not about exclusion, it’s about safety and balance for everyone.
5. Create a Safety Plan
Because threats and aggression can escalate, it’s wise to have a plan:
- Decide ahead of time who will step in if conflict arises.
- Keep breakable or sharp objects out of reach.
- Know when to call for outside help if the situation becomes dangerous.

Safety for all family members, including the one with Alzheimer’s, is the top priority.
6. Seek Professional Support
You do not have to manage this alone. Reach out to:
- The loved one’s doctor, to rule out medical causes of sudden aggression (such as infections or pain).
- Alzheimer’s support groups, where other families share real-life strategies.
- Professional counselors or respite services, who can guide the family and provide relief.

A Gentle Reminder
Your loved one is not choosing this behavior. Alzheimer’s changes the way they perceive the world, and in their world, they react to someone they genuinely believe is a threat or a disliked figure from their past. By responding with patience, redirection, and safety strategies, families can reduce disharmony and protect both the person with Alzheimer’s and the family member caught in the confusion.

This is a heavy burden, but you are not alone. There are resources, professionals, and communities ready to support and guide you. What matters most is creating an environment of compassion, understanding, and safety, even when the disease makes that feel difficult.

10/28/2025

10/16/2025

Beautiful

One-day DIY Small Rock Landscaping Ideas

10/16/2025

The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠
Comparing the Cost of Alzheimer’s Care Options

The Rising Cost of Traditional Alzheimer’s Care
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia is both a labor of love and a financial challenge. Families often face difficult choices, how to balance safety, comfort, and connection with affordability.
Here’s a look at how traditional care options, residential facilities, home health care, and adult day programs compare with an innovative, personalized, and cost-effective alternative: The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠, created by Alzheimer’s Support, LLC (alzheimerssupport4u.com).
Residential or Memory Care Facilities
Residential memory care communities provide 24-hour supervision, structured routines, and specialized staff for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. While they offer important safety and support, the price is steep.
• The average cost for memory care is $6,000 to $8,500 per month, depending on location and services.
• Some higher-end facilities charge over $10,000 per month, reaching $120,000 annually.
These facilities can give peace of mind, but they also separate loved ones from their familiar surroundings and are rarely covered by insurance or Medicare.
Home Health Care
For those who prefer home comfort, hiring professional caregivers is an alternative, but the costs add up quickly.
• Average rate: around $33 per hour.
• Full day (8 hours) of care equals about $7,900 per month.
• 24-hour care can exceed $20,000 monthly, surpassing many facility costs.
Home care provides flexibility but often leaves family members emotionally and financially stretched, especially as care needs increase.
Adult Day Care Services
Adult day programs offer structured activities and supervision during daytime hours, giving caregivers valuable respite.
• Average cost: about $70 per day, or $1,400 to $2,800 per month, depending on frequency.
• They provide helpful engagement but are limited to certain hours and require transportation.
The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠
A Personal, Affordable, and Life-Changing Option
Developed by Alzheimer’s Support, LLC, this online teaching program empowers caregivers to provide personalized, non-medical comfort and stimulation for their loved ones, right at home. There are several videos to help you easily absorb what to do.
For a one-time investment of $457, caregivers gain access to a comprehensive, heart-centered program that can reduce or even eliminate the need for costly outside services, saving thousands of dollars each year while allowing loved ones to remain in familiar surroundings.
What Makes This Program Unique
1. Relaxation Techniques for Both the Individual and the Caregiver
Caregivers learn soothing methods that calm agitation, ease anxiety, and help both parties experience peace together. These techniques build emotional connection while reducing stress and burnout. The H.E.A.R.T.S Process© is part of this program. This enjoyable technique produces a calming effect that is comforting and highly effective not only for the individual with Alzheimer’s and other dementias but also for the caregivers. This effective technique was developed in England for cancer patients. It was soon realized that it was highly successful for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

2. The World-Renowned Music & Memory® Program
The training includes the remarkable Music & Memory® program, known worldwide for bringing joy back to individuals who were previously uncommunicative.
o Many begin to speak or sing again, often recalling lyrics from songs that touched their lives.
o These meaningful moments can be repeated again and again, offering renewed joy for the entire family.
3. Personalized Aromatherapy by a Certified and Registered Aromatherapist
Each plan is customized to meet the individual’s needs, addressing anxiety, sleeplessness, depression, aggression, and more. Every recommendation is designed for safety and maximum benefit, guided by a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist (CCA) and Registered Aromatherapist (RA).
4. Other Non-Invasive, Relaxation-Based Techniques
Additional gentle approaches enhance comfort, focus, and overall well-being, creating an environment of calm and connection within the home.
Cost and Value Comparison
Care Option Average Monthly Cost Care Environment Focus Emotional & Financial Impact
Residential / Memory Care $6,000–$10,000+ Facility Medical & custodial Costly, less personal
Home Health Care $4,000–$20,000+ Home Daily living assistance High caregiver expense
Adult Day Care $1,400–$2,800 Day center Social engagement Limited hours
Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠ $397 one-time Home Connection, communication, relaxation Lifelong benefit; saves thousands
The Real Difference
Beyond the numbers, The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠ offers something money can’t measure: meaningful moments of connection. Families see their loved ones light up again through music, touch, and soothing aromatherapy. The loved one remains with the people they love and trust. This connection cannot be understated. We all want the comfort of being with individuals who love and want the best for us.
This program not only supports the person living with Alzheimer’s but also renews the caregiver’s strength, hope, and peace of mind.
Traditional Alzheimer’s care can cost tens of thousands of dollars each year.
The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠, at just $447 (a $50 introduction discount), offers an extraordinary, affordable, and personal path to comfort, helping caregivers bring joy and calm back into everyday life. In addition, the first 25 people to purchase The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠ training program will receive the book I just finished, which includes additional caring ways and techniques to support you as unexpected issues emerge, as soon as it is printed.
Should the time come when your loved one's medical needs require moving to a care facility, you will have already reduced costs through your use of The Alzheimer’s Wake-Up-the-Brain Process℠, and you’ll be able to carry those same comforting techniques into the facility to keep the benefits going.
To learn more or begin today, visit alzheimerssupport4u.com.