2024 Resolutions: Positive Goals for Caregivers
“I’m going to force myself to run three miles every day.” “I’m going to clean the bathrooms more often.” “I’m going to eat more celery and less chocolate.” Do your New Year’s resolutions feel more like punishment than positivity? If that’s the case, resolve to make 2024 the year you set some goals you will […]
Breath of Fresh Air: Practical Tips for COPD Care at Home
Coughing. Difficulty breathing. Wheezing. If you’re caring for a loved one with COPD, you know these symptoms all too well. Your aim is to help the person live their highest possible quality of life, but it’s not easy. Despite the fact that there is presently no cure available for COPD, it is treatable, and there […]
Anxiety and Older Adults: Decoding the Silent Struggle
Aging is accompanied by a set of common changes. Shifts in eating and sleeping habits, memory, and interests in activities are often attributed to the natural process of growing older. However, these very changes can sometimes be indicative of an often overlooked and untreated condition in older adults: anxiety. Anxiety and Older Adults: What Are […]
Simplify Diabetes Management With These Proven Techniques
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and with more than 130 million Americans diagnosed with the disease, it is likely you know someone or maybe even are part of this group. Whether you’re new to caring for someone with diabetes or a seasoned veteran, there’s always something new to learn to improve diabetes management. These tips […]
AI-Enhanced Scams: How Technology Is Being Used in Elder Fraud
October is the season for spookiness, but none of Halloween’s haunts can hold a candle to the frightening reality of the latest senior scams and elder fraud incidents. Older adults have long been the target of scammers, who prey on their perceived vulnerability and loneliness. Yet technology is taking their efforts to a whole new […]
How to Overcome Common Caregiving Problems
Taking care of your aging parents is an extremely rewarding act of love. As you think about the care they provided to you when you were growing up, you now are able to do the same for them. It allows you to take your relationship with your parents to a whole new level. Having said […]
Caring for Aging Parents? Top Tips for Only-Child Caregivers
Being an only child has some perks. During childhood, you never had to experience sibling rivalry or fights, and you also had the benefit of receiving all the attention and love of your parents. As an adult with no siblings, you may now find that it’s your turn to provide all of the care and […]
Activities for Dementia Patients That Can Help Improve Self-Confidence
What gets you out of bed every day? Many of us have an extensive list of to-dos that pushes us to begin the day. As much as we might wish we could keep hitting the snooze button, having a sense of purpose is in fact imperative to our health. That’s true for a person with […]
Top Incontinence Care Tips for Family Caregivers
It’s not something most of us would feel comfortable discussing with others. The awkwardness of even talking about incontinence is generally enough to keep the problem hidden. Not only that, but there’s a common, incorrect assumption that it is simply a normal part of aging and needs to be quietly accepted. Yet the reality is, […]
Monitoring and Managing Allergies in Older Adults
Ahh, summertime! Now that the long, cold winter and wet springtime are over, we can at last get outside. For older adults, getting out into the beauty of nature, fresh air, and sunshine is extremely important for both mental and physical health. Sadly, however, it can also trigger seasonal allergies in older adults. And this […]
Senior Advocacy Tips During a Hospital Stay
Whether an older loved one is in the hospital for a planned procedure or an unplanned medical emergency, you might be left feeling vulnerable and helpless. You are fully trusting the trained medical professionals to meet all your loved one’s needs during their hospital stay and to know just what to do to help keep […]
Understanding Why Seniors Lose Their Appetite
You’ve just made a big batch of Mom’s special chili recipe. The house smells yummy, and you cannot wait to enjoy a bowl. However, while you are savoring not just the taste but the memories the meal invokes, Mom is simply stirring the food around in her own bowl. And it is not the first […]
Strategies to Help Dementia Patients Preserve Independence
If you’re caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you may be inclined to do as much as possible for the person to relieve the strain of even the most basic daily tasks. Independent living and dementia may even seem like polar opposites. However, we all have a natural need to preserve self-reliance and […]
Navigating Criticism While Caregiving for a Loved One
“You always…” “You never…” “If I were you…” As a family caregiver, you work selflessly to provide care for someone you love. What happens when you are giving it all you have, but your all is not good enough? Criticism while caregiving is never easy to hear, and it can be quite hurtful when it […]
How to Cope With Shadowing in a Loved One Who Has Alzheimer’s
Primary caregivers for individuals with dementia are often all too acquainted with the challenge of trying to grab a moment or two alone – to get a quick shower, step into the other room, or even use the bathroom. Those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can experience increased fear when a family member is out of sight […]
What to Ask Your Pharmacist When a Senior Gets a New Prescription
You’ve just left the doctor’s office with Mom. She is forwarding a new prescription to the drug store which should be ready by the time you get there. Your plan is to zip through the drive-through window, pick up the medication, and take Mom to lunch. But is there a step you’re missing? Any time a […]
How to Continue to Build a Nest Egg as a Family Caregiver
Providing care for an aging parent is a time-intensive labor of love. It may also influence finances, as family caregivers may choose to take unpaid leave from work, reduce their hours, or stop working altogether. It’s not unusual for family caregivers to set aside their long-term financial plans in order to prioritize a loved one’s […]
Top Tips to Find a Work-Life Balance as a Family Caregiver
It is a delicate balancing act. On one hand, you have your career, which provides you purpose, fulfillment, and of course, a paycheck. On the other hand, you are taking care of someone you love. Trying to give 100% to both of these crucial roles can make you mentally and physically drained, with little if […]
Watch for These Signs That Could Point to Alzheimer’s
You cannot quite pinpoint it, but you have begun to observe some changes in Mom’s conduct recently. She’s a bit more forgetful than before. She keeps misplacing her car keys. At times she repeats herself. Could it be Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? Currently, over 6.5 million people age 65 and older are struggling […]
How Home Care Can Help Those With Anhedonia
Following the busyness of the holiday season, it’s not unusual for the winter gloom to kick in. Yet what may appear at first glance to be just a bit of boredom could actually be something bigger that should be dealt with. What Is Anhedonia? Anhedonia, is a loss of interest in activities that someone once […]
Lifestyle Changes for Seniors for Healthier, Happier Lives
As we get ready to roll the calendar forward to 2023, it’s an ideal time to think about what we’ve learned through the previous year and what changes we would like to make in the new year. It’s more than simply making a resolution that’s likely to be given up on within a matter of […]
Identifying Cognitive Impairment in a Family Member During Your Holiday Visit
Returning home for the holidays is a wonderful time to think back on holidays past and make some new memories. But, it’s also an occasion when family members may see changes to senior loved ones – changes that could be too minor to detect on a phone call or FaceTime, but are glaringly apparent in […]
Strategies for Your Dementia Care Toolbox
Providing care for a person with Alzheimer’s can feel as difficult as trying to comprehend quantum physics. It entails trying to make sense of what looks nonsensical, and reacting in ways that seem illogical to everything you’ve thought up to now. Yet with some basic tools in your dementia care toolbox, you can feel more […]
The Emotional Journey of Taking Care of Elderly Parents
As a family caregiver, it often feels like you have to be the rock of the family: calm, composed, and in control. Whatever the situation, you retain the sense of peace and warmth your family member needs, always strong, supportive, and never wavering. Right? If this describes the image you have created for yourself, it […]
Tips for Prepping for a Senior Doctor Visit
When caring for an older loved one, balance is key. You intend to provide as much help and support as you can without overstepping the boundaries that protect a senior’s self-esteem and personal independence. It is particularly true with regards to making essential medical care decisions. There are a number of clashes that can arise […]
Sensory Activities for Seniors With Dementia Help Reduce Agitation
Swift changes in moods are hallmark characteristics of dementia, and can be extremely hard for family caregivers to navigate. One moment you might be having fun participating in an enjoyable activity together, when seemingly out of thin air, the senior’s demeanor darkens. You could then find yourself walking on eggshells while you carefully attempt to […]
Home Care Helps Seniors Better Manage and Live With Chronic Pain
Aching. Stinging. Burning. That is how many older adults who live with chronic pain describe how they feel on a regular basis. Chronic pain may occur anywhere in the body, sometimes for no obvious reason whatsoever. It is defined by pain that lasts for more than three months, either continuously or coming and going. And […]
Helping a Loved One Adjust to a Wheelchair
Getting older requires us to adapt to numerous changes. Our children mature and move out. We may decide to sell the family home and downsize. Retiring from a lifelong profession changes our purpose and goals. And, health problems or mobility challenges may result in the need for a wheelchair. Helping a loved one adjust to […]
Aging Care Services Help Family Caregivers Recharge
What does a standard day look like for you as a family care provider? For many family caregivers, it begins before dawn, assisting an older relative who has trouble sleeping during the night and is in need of assistance, or at least a person to talk to. From there, the day may be a bustle […]
Strategies to Overcome Medication Refusal in Elderly Loved Ones
“I don’t need that medicine! There’s nothing wrong with me!” If you’ve heard a senior loved one proclaim this or other sentiments to justify not taking the medication their doctor prescribed, you know how frustrating and concerning it is. There are many reasons someone may balk at adhering to doctors’ instructions, from denial to Alzheimer’s […]
How to Cope with False Accusations When an Older Loved One Has Dementia
Imagine having a fantastic afternoon with your family member with dementia, listening to music and working on a puzzle with each other, when all of a sudden the person’s mood darkens. When you innocently ask what is wrong, you receive a sharp and surprising response: “I know you stole money from me! How could you […]
What to do When a Parent Dies
Knowing what to do when a parent dies is hard. In addition to navigating grief, there are a variety of administrative tasks that must be handled in a timely manner. To help alleviate some of the stress during this period of time, our care professionals have put together the following helpful timeline so you will […]
Steer Clear of Injury When Caring for Seniors with These 5 Tips
At the time you made the decision to offer care for an older loved one, you most likely did not think your role would be hazardous. Yet the challenges of caregiving aren’t anything to take lightly. Approximately 94% of care providers who participated in a recent survey noted physical pain in one or more parts […]
Discovering How Home Care Helps with Cognitive Decline
If you are providing care for a senior family member, you are fully aware of the range of emotions involved. On one hand, it’s a huge honor and incredibly worthwhile. Having said that, it is often taxing, exhausting, and stressful. Add to that the other challenges concerning cognitive decline, and it is easy to understand […]
Stress Management Help for Caregivers of Dementia Patients
There is no such thing as a “normal day” for someone with dementia – or, for the person caring for them. The individual may abruptly go from enjoying activities, laughing, and singing to sullen, angry, and aggressive. They could get stuck in tearful repetitions of wishing to go “home.” They may pace and wander. Sleep might […]
Know the Symptoms of a Senior UTI
Itchiness. Burning. Urgency. If you’ve ever had the misfortune of suffering from a urinary tract infection (UTI), you recognize these symptoms well. For younger people, a UTI is generally simple enough to notice and take care of. However, it is often more complex for seniors, as symptoms can be less obvious or even vastly different […]
Tips to Keep Individuals with Alzheimer’s Engaged
Remaining active and involved in meaningful interests is very important for our mental health. Every one of us needs to feel both needed and successful. This feeling doesn’t disappear because of a diagnosis of dementia, though it might require some creativity to achieve. As a matter of fact, stimulating and enjoyable activities can minimize difficult […]
How to Get Help from Siblings When Taking Care of Aging Parents
As the saying goes, many hands make light work, and that’s certainly true when siblings are taking care of aging parents. If you and your siblings work together in harmony to fulfill the needs of your senior family members, congratulations! In many cases, however, one sibling takes on most of the responsibilities. This can quickly […]
Learn the Facts About Senior Delirium and How to Treat It
With its similarities to dementia, delirium is often a baffling condition to comprehend and manage. Seniors are particularly susceptible to delirium, so our aging care experts have collected the following information that can help you recognize and respond appropriately to senior delirium if you suspect it in someone you love. What are the symptoms of […]
The Ins and Outs of Depression in Seniors
After spending time with loved ones and revisiting treasured traditions and memories throughout the holiday season, it is normal for a sense of wistfulness and sadness to emerge for older people. And while some extent of short-term post-holiday unhappiness can be expected, it’s important to know that it can develop into depression. Depression in seniors […]
Senior Care Journaling: 7 Important Things to Track for a Loved One with Dementia
Keeping a journal is growing in popularity, for many different reasons. Far from the “Dear Diary” days of our adolescence, it is so much more than simply a way to safely share our secrets and dreams. Writing in a journal is a wonderful way to alleviate anxiety, for instance. It allows for creative expression through […]
What to Expect as a Family Caregiver
It may well have started informally, with just a little help here and there. Picking up some things at the store for your aging parent. Dropping off the extra casserole you made while preparing your own family’s supper. Or simply spending more time visiting to make sure things are ok. Gradually, you may be starting […]
Making Holiday Activities Festive for Seniors with Alzheimer’s
The limitations associated with the COVID pandemic impacted last year’s holiday season, forcing many people to remain isolated from each other. Thankfully, this season families are able to embrace the opportunity to safely gather together once more for holiday activities. While decking the halls and getting ready for visits with loved ones, it’s important to […]
Understanding Parkinson’s Care in the Later Stages: Part 3 of 3
A Parkinson’s disease diagnosis has an effect on family members along with the person experiencing this illness. Understanding what to expect as the disease progresses is paramount to being prepared for the changes to come and also to making life the best it can be each day. Over the last couple of months, we have […]
Taking Care of a Loved One in the Middle Stages of Parkinson’s: Part 2 of 3
A Parkinson’s disease diagnosis impacts loved ones as well as the person diagnosed. Understanding what to anticipate as the disease progresses is key to being prepared for the changes in the future and to making life the best it can be each day. During our three-part series, we’ll be sharing what to expect in each […]
Make Dementia Care Easier with Non-Verbal Communication
Communication can be so much more than words. A look, gesture, or touch can communicate volumes. As dementia progresses in a loved one, it may well become necessary to experiment with various methods to stay connected. If you’re unsure where you should start, try these non-verbal communication tips to make dementia care easier: Body Language and […]
Caring for a Senior Loved One with Early Stage Parkinson’s: Part 1 of 3
A Parkinson’s disease diagnosis impacts members of the family as well as the person diagnosed. Understanding what to expect as the disease progresses is vital to being ready for the changes to come and to make life the very best it can be each day. Throughout the next couple of months, we’ll be sharing what […]
How Does Dementia Impact Vision?
The complicated, detailed steps related to making it possible for us to see are incredible. In the blink of an eye, our brains can take data sent from our environment, interpret that data in accordance with input from our other experiences, thoughts, and senses, and then develop an understanding of the information to help make […]
How to Find Caregiver Support for Stressed Family Care Providers
Serving as a family caregiver for a senior loved one is truly an act of love. Even though it might certainly be rewarding, it can also quickly become stressful, as a result of: The physical complications of a chronic health condition The cognitive challenges of Alzheimer’s disease Feeling helpless and unable to fix the senior’s […]
Caring for a Loved One with Middle Stage Dementia: Part 2 of 3
Receiving the news that a senior loved one has been diagnosed with dementia is life-altering. Thinking through the many different factors and facets of the disease as well as its effects, both currently as well as in the future, can be overwhelming. In this three-part series, we examine the early, middle and later stages of […]
Best Ways for Family Caregivers and Seniors to Maintain Emotional and Physical Wellbeing During the Pandemic
While we can certainly start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our emotional and physical wellbeing. Months of isolation and physical separation from people we love has taken a toll on many older adults and the ones they love. Now is the perfect time […]
What to Expect in a Loved One with Early Stage Alzheimer’s: Part 1 of 3
Receiving the news that an older family member has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is life-changing. Thinking through the various aspects and factors associated with the disease, both now as well as in the long run, can be overwhelming. Over the next several months, our three-part series will examine the early, middle and later stages of […]
Top Tips for Minimizing Sundowning in Seniors with Dementia
As the sun begins to set, most of us can relax after a long day and prepare for a quiet evening to unwind – unless of course you are providing care for a person with dementia. Sundowning, or sundown syndrome, is a frequent occurrence in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and will produce […]