What Does National Adopt-a-Dog Month Have to Do with Alzheimer's?

What Does National Adopt-a-Dog Month Have to Do with Alzheimer's? By Esther Heerema, MSW Today is the last day of October- which means it's the last day of National Adopt-a-Dog month. Why highlight this when we're talking about Alzheimer's disease? Because dogs- and other animals- have proven to have multiple benefits for people living with Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia.  The Benefits of Pet Therapy for People with Dementia  Pet therapy has been shown to have various benefits for those living with Alzheimer's and related dementias, including improved nutrition and a decrease in challenging behaviors.  READ NOW Coping and Living Well after Diagnosis of Alzheimer's or Dementia  Got a new diagnosis of Alzheimer's or another type of dementia? Learn how to cope and live well by caring for all aspects of your health. READ NOW 10 Pet Peeves: Good Intentions Don't Always Equal Great Results  We mean well. But when we're interacting with people who are living with dementia, we'll actually DO well if we skip these 10 things.  READ NOW Does Anesthesia Affect Your Risk of Alzheimer's Disease?  Perhaps you wonder if memory loss is one of the risks of general anesthesia. Or, if exposure to anesthesia could increase your risk of dementia. Here's what research says.   READ NOW How to Designate a Power of Attorney for Healthcare Decisions  Make sure that your medical decisions reflect your preferences by appointing a trusted family member or friend to be your power of attorney for healthcare.  READ NOW Worried about Your Memory? Here's What's Normal after Your 20's  Some research studies point out that our brains are at maximum functioning in our twenties, saying it's all downhill from then on. (Thanks for the uplifting research?) Other studies are a little more encouraging and have concluded that select types of cognitive functioning actually improve over time. Here's what to expect in your 30's and beyond.   READ NOW Advertisement READ THESE NEXT Understanding Lung Cancer Understanding Plaque Psoriasis Understanding Insomnia Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Understanding Type 2 Diabetes Are You at Risk for Osteoporosis? Study Says Most Parents are Terrible at Teaching Their Teen How to Drive Understanding Asthma AN ABOUT.COM BRAND You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Alzheimer's & Dementia newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 © 2016 Verywell.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.