The ability to get up and go wherever we want, whenever we want is a freedom many of us may not give a second thought. Driving symbolizes so much more than just part of a daily routine; it represents both independence and self-reliance. And, it can be incredibly difficult when the time comes to give that up. Driving requires sustained…
Those who provide care for a senior loved one know when something seems a bit “off”. You become so familiar with the person’s mannerisms, routines, and daily life that even the slightest change can be glaringly obvious. And when something out of the ordinary becomes apparent to you – even if not yet noticeable to others – it’s important to…
Contrary to popular belief, aging and slowing down do not necessarily go hand in hand! Today’s generation of seniors in particular is breaking the mold. Case in point: the Brooklyn Senior Games, a highly competitive, Olympic-style athletic event for seniors ranging in age from mid-60s into the 90s. Or Olga Kotelko, the amazing 93-year-old record-breaking track and field athlete. While…
After months of back-and-forth discussion, you’ve finally reached an agreement: Mom’s ready for some in-home care assistance, just for a few hours a week for now, to help with tasks around the house and with transportation to the grocery store and doctors’ appointments. One of Mom’s neighbors found a caregiver through the “help wanted” section of the paper, and raves…
“There’s no place like home…” That sentiment speaks to seniors even more than it did to Dorothy when she clicked those ruby red shoes together and dreamed of leaving the Land of Oz behind. Given the options, an overwhelming majority of seniors – as many as 90% of them, according to a recent AARP report – prefer to age at…
Let’s be honest: providing care for a senior loved one, in spite of its many rewards, can be stressful. Trying to meet the ongoing, 24/7 needs of another while managing the intricacies of your own life (career, family, home, volunteering, pets, just to name a few) takes more energy and patience than most of us possess. And yet, in tandem…
It’s one of the biggest rites of passage in our teenage years, and certainly one of the most exciting: the day we finally get our driver’s license. And although driving is considered a hallmark of independence, we soon take for granted the convenience of being able to hop in the car at any time and head to any destination our…
Mom has always loved baking. In fact, it’s hard to find a family holiday picture that doesn’t include one of her famous desserts taking center stage on the dining room table. But now that she’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, does it mean that integral part of her will soon slip away? While Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia go…
It may begin with periodic, slight tremors in the hand or foot, or a barely perceptible slowness of gait and feelings of stiffness. Or there may be a lessened sense of smell, or gradually increased sleep or mood changes. While the exact cause is unknown, what we do know is that Parkinson’s disease is currently impacting as many as a…
We’ve waited for it all winter long with bated breath – the warm, sunny days of summer! But now that summer’s in full swing, there are days when we long, even if just briefly, for a blast of that chilly air to provide some relief from the rising temperatures. For seniors in particular, the heat and humidity can be especially…
