Although you and your parent may have made a pact years ago that he or she would never be dependent on you, life does not come with guarantees. Occasionally as the adult child, you need to make decisions for your mom or dad, and sometimes that includes working with a caregiver. You know your parent does not want to move…
Aging adults often need more assistance as they grow older. Before you become your parent’s primary care provider, it’s important to understand if you are up to the job. Providing home care for elderly adults is just that – a job. You will be taking over daily tasks like bathing, dressing and toileting for them. Role reversal is not an…
Change is not always easy, but when mom or dad has the support of compassionate home health care services enriching their daily lives, positive outcomes are possible. Physical and emotional changes always come about with aging. What may have been easy for your parent months or even weeks ago may suddenly be more challenging. But caregivers and occupational therapists assist…
Elder abuse is a major problem that seniors face as they age. Of course it’s wrong and often avoidable if care providers, including family members, are better educated. But consider how difficult it may be for you to take care of your loved one who may be acting erratic. Your parent may be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s and the…
Your mother or father may have been excited to become a grandparent. They may have been so excited that they were willing to help care for their grandchildren. However, the word “help” should have been defined. Think about this: Your mom or dad spent a good portion of their life raising their children, and now it is their turn to…
Loss or change of taste buds is not uncommon among elderly adults. Taste and smell help people determine their like or dislike of food, and they are interrelated. What Happens After the Loss of Taste and Smell If a senior loses the sense of taste or smell, eating becomes boring, almost senseless and one of two things may happen. The…
As an adult child, you and your parent have had many conversations over the years that have probably ended with the words, “I love you.” However, when mom or dad is at the ending stages of life, you may feel like you just have not said those three words enough or placed enough meaning and emotion into them. Not only…
Everyone needs human touch, however, as seniors age, too often they tend to have less personal contact with other people. It’s not that your mom or dad does not want to hold hands with someone or wrap their arms around you for a loving, comforting hug, but chronic pain may be impeding their movement and making touch more painful. With…
Often family photos have been placed in albums or boxes that may or may not be labeled. Your mom or dad may have stowed these family mementos away many years ago. In fact, it’s possible you have never seen many of the relatives and friends of your parent’s past. These photos are a link to their past and may provide…
Your mother or father probably wants to age in place, which means they want to remain at home as they grow old, rather than entering a nursing home or assisted living facility. To help them, their home must meet their current needs. Downsizing is an important way to achieve that goal. A caregiver can assist you in downsizing their home….
