Have you ever asked your mother or father what they would like to do only to receive an answer like, “I don’t know.” You begin rattling off a list of ideas, and you either get no response or a negative response. You suggest a walk and they tell you their arthritis is acting up. Maybe you recommend having a picnic…
Your mother or father thinks insurance benefits should be black and white. They have reached the age to qualify for Medicare, so why is it that the benefits are so confusing? Also, what other advantages are your mother or father entitled to besides Medicare? It’s important to look beyond the medical benefits to see what else your mom or dad…
As seniors age, their friendship circles may grow smaller and smaller due to aging, death or relocation. Your mom or dad may be feeling left out and lonely after many years of having a spouse and many friends and acquaintances who filled the hours of their days. However, making new friends is more difficult as they spend more time alone…
Growing up, we were taught to listen to our elders. Yet as our parents have grown older, we have tended to think they should listen to us instead of the other way around. We see things we believe are uncharacteristic of our mother or father and the alarm bell rings in our head. When we approach mom or dad and…
Activities for your mom or dad can involve much more than playing BINGO, or sitting in a knitting circle and chatting. Today’s seniors are searching for home care services that include the independence to choose the lifestyle they want to live. Research indicates that adult children may not have to make many decisions for their mothers or fathers as they…
Is your parent single, lonely and bored? Dating may be the solution that puts a smile on your mother or father’s face. It’s important to remember your parent is human and humans have a need for intimacy and relationships. Your mother or father may not be looking for the intimacy in the raw form of the word, but they may…
You may think you know your parent but many adult children are out of touch with their elderly mother or father’s feelings and needs. It is important to get reacquainted so you can understand how to help them moving forward. When you once lived in your parent’s home, you may have known your mom or dad’s political likes and dislikes…
After retirement, the social networks that were built up around work may begin to fade. The work world that a retiree held in common with coworkers and other professionals when he or she was employed is no longer as central to the retiree’s life. The natural networks for developing relationships – school, work and activities related to raising a family…
Living assistance services take the responsibility and burden off of family members and loved ones, whether for short or long term care needs. Care provided can be as simple as performing daily tasks. Services they offer are non-medical and often include companion care – being a friend not only to the senior, but to the extended family. Caregivers providing living…
