Dear old Dad! He’s been your biggest fan since the day you were born, running beside you as you learned to balance on a bike for the first time, coaching your Little League team, and working incredibly long hours to make sure your family was well provided for. And now that he’s older, how can you adequately show your love…
Diabetes… heart disease… Alzheimer’s… Parkinson’s… arthritis… the list of chronic conditions that can impact seniors is exhaustive. As many as 85% of all seniors are battling at least one, and 60% struggle with two or more. Managing the medical appointments and procedures, medications, and dietary requirements for one condition is tough enough, but when multiple diagnoses come into play, it’s…
For those caring for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, every day may be different – some more challenging than others, and always, a puzzle or two to decipher to determine how best to keep your loved one safe, calm, and comfortable. Although many families feel there’s no alternative but to find a residential…
When you care to spend time with a senior family member, sometimes you both run out of things to talk about. Watching movies together can be a great solution. You can use a film as an excuse to get your senior out of the house for a lazy matinée, grab some popcorn like when you were young, enjoy the big…
If you have an elderly loved one, the time might be approaching when more hands on care is required. Whether that need is just around the corner or still a few years away, now is the time to observe and prepare for a next step. Vision, flexibility, motor skills, and other physical abilities often decline gradually. It’s not always easy to notice those changes…
Most adults enjoy getting out and going places. They enjoy seeing and doing things. But, as a person ages and becomes more sensitive to cooler weather or needs help with moving around or traveling, they may be hesitant to get out. Unfortunately, this often results in becoming reluctant to partake in activities they have previously enjoyed. However, the numerous senior holiday events around…
Acting as the primary caregiver to a seriously ill or aging family member may seem like the only choice you have. You may have chosen this direction for financial, personal, religious, or even moral reasons. Regardless of your reasons, it is inevitable that you will face challenges. Fortunately, there are ways to help prevent or alleviate their impact on you…
Hearing that your senior loved one will be returning home from the hospital, even after a short stay, is welcome news. However, you may have two conflicting emotions, thrilled they are coming home and stressed over how you’ll get everything in order without turning your life upside down! Plus, you’ll likely have plenty of other questions: How many doctors need to…
Entertaining the different personalities of an extended family under one roof, and making sure they all have a good time, has always been a challenge. But handling the holidays with an Alzheimer’s patient can add a whole new dimension to the gathering. Memory loss is often more than forgetting or not recognizing someone. It can also mean strange and unanticipated behaviors. As Alzheimer’s…
Holidays are stressful enough for most adults, but if you are responsible for the care of an elderly relative, you might wonder how you can possibly get out to shop for gifts, find time to clean the house, and prepare for enjoyable dinners with the rest of your family. And you might feel that traveling to visit distant relatives or friends…
