During a visit to their hometown, Dan and Amy visited their great-aunt. Aunt Becky was glad to see them, but they were worried at what they saw in her home. Her usually spotless house was dirty and unkempt. Though she’d … Continue reading
A Labor Day Shoutout to Working Family Caregivers
During the pandemic, it has become more apparent than ever that working family caregivers are stretched thin as they balance caregiving with their job responsibilities. Much attention has been paid to the stressful situation of working parents, who were suddenly … Continue reading
Vacationing With Your Senior Loved One
Last year at this time, few people were even considering hitting the road for a vacation. Even at the beginning of Summer 2021, there was some hesitation. But reports are that many people in the U.S. now are seeking to … Continue reading
Protecting Our Brains During the Pandemic
While most people think of COVID-19 as primarily affecting the lungs, the data on millions of patients shows it can damage other body systems, including the brain. Some patients have experienced serious brain inflammation, delirium, hallucinations, psychotic symptoms, and strokes. … Continue reading
More Than Ever Before, Family Caregivers Need Our Help
November is National Family Caregivers Month During 2020, there’s been much focus on societal inequalities. Many people have been discussing the impact of racial, cultural, gender and economic discrimination on populations both in this country and around the world. Yet … Continue reading
Social Distancing Lures More Seniors Across the Digital Divide
To find a paradox in senior well-being, we need look no further than today! We know that staying socially connected is vital for the mental health of seniors. And yet, social distancing is the key ingredient to help them avoid … Continue reading
“Should I Give Up Driving … Or Get a New Car?”
December 2–6, 2019 is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week The inability to drive is one of the greatest challenges to senior independence. In some cases, this is simply the best choice. If advanced vision loss, severe mobility challenges or dementia … Continue reading
Supporting Caregivers Is Everybody’s Job
November is National Family Caregivers Month. In the U.S., more people than ever before are providing care support for older relatives and friends. They are helping loved ones manage their health care and medications, assisting with the activities of daily … Continue reading
Hospital Delirium: What Senior Patients and Families Should Know
A senior goes in for a routine surgery and afterward, family are dismayed to see that their loved one isn’t themselves at all! Their loved one might be agitated, confused, or barely awake. They might not know where they are, … Continue reading
Labor Day Special: Working Caregivers Are Having a Tough Time of It
This Labor Day, more workers in the U.S. than ever before are juggling two jobs—their paid work, and caring for a disabled spouse, their parents, or other older loved ones. Did we say two jobs? Make that three! According to … Continue reading
Seniors and Their Furry, Feathered and Finned Companions
The U.S. Census Bureau says that 68 percent of U.S. households today have a pet, and pets are a $15 billion industry. Most of us love being around animals—and many research studies show that owning a pet is beneficial for … Continue reading
Opioids Aren’t the Only Dangerous Pain Medications
With so much coverage of today’s opioid epidemic, there is new emphasis on alternative pain treatment. For many people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal pain, this includes the use of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). This class of drugs includes … Continue reading
Thinking About Pain
People who are living with chronic pain can feel discounted and insulted when someone says “It’s all in your head.” But studies show that the way we think about pain can make a real difference in how we perceive it, … Continue reading
Strokes in Adults Under 45
“He’s too young to have a stroke!” is a common line you hear when someone under 45 unexpectedly experiences one. The risk increases with age, but people of any age can experience a stroke. May is World Stroke Month, and … Continue reading
Caring for Someone Living with Dementia During the Holidays
While the holidays can bring the joy of reuniting with family and friends, for many caregivers, the holidays can add stress to an already challenging role. Along with shopping and trying to squeeze in participating in the events that make … Continue reading
How to Celebrate Mother’s Day when Mom has Alzheimer’s
Holidays can be a challenging time for families who are caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s. Beloved traditions may have to be adjusted to accommodate new realities. On Mother’s Day, many adult children wonder how to celebrate a day that … Continue reading
Helping Lift an Elderly Loved One Out of Depression
More than six million Americans over the age of 65 suffer from depression, which is often exacerbated by the holiday season. Not only can the holidays highlight feelings of loss for those who have lost a spouse, the post-holiday season … Continue reading
Holiday Family Reunions May Highlight the Need for Home Care
Every year, one of the most cherished holiday traditions is gathering with family. Getting together with those we hold most dear is often a highlight of the year. For those who may see their parents only during the holidays, this … Continue reading
How to Connect with Someone Living with Dementia
Meaningful communication is often the first casualty of dementia. People living with Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia may be living in a completely different time or place than those around them. Additionally, they may not remember what was said … Continue reading
How to be an Effective Long-Distance Caregiver
As a society, we’ve become much more mobile. Gone are the days when generation after generation continues to live in the town in which they were raised. This has created a society where families may be separated by thousands of … Continue reading
Survival Tips for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Anyone who has the responsibility of caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s can tell you that is comes with its own set of challenges. Many caregivers report feeling isolated, stressed, and living with a sense of grief as the person they … Continue reading
How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout
The National Alliance for Caregiving and the AARP report that nearly 66 million Americans provide uncompensated care to a loved one who is ill, disabled or aged. Many of these caregivers have full-time jobs and families of their own. Juggling … Continue reading