It’s natural for some of us to struggle at times to make conversation with others, whether they are family members, co-workers, or strangers. We often stick to safer topics of default such as politics, family, the weather, or jobs. This is a great time to dig into the family history and let the younger generations. Children often need prompting to…
Clear communication can be a challenge for anyone but add dementia or Alzheimer’s into the mix and it seems to become an even bigger, more frustrating obstacle to overcome. As a caregiver, it can be difficult to remind yourself that your loved one’s brain is deteriorating. It is not their fault they cannot communicate clearly with you as they did…
By: Brenda Adeogun, APN, RWJBarnabas Behavioral Health Center Although we may not have been able to spend time directly in the presence of our loved ones, hopefully you have found a way to bridge the physical gap. Some partook in virtual gatherings, others rescheduled and are currently planning to celebrate in 2021 when the time is right. On the converse,…
Winter weather may be delightful to look at, but it can be frightful to deal with and dangerous. Here in the Northeast, we get Nor’easters, which is like a hurricane in the winter with precipitation and wind. Occasionally, we will get an old-fashioned blizzard. These winter weather events bring risks for all, especially older New Jerseyans. Older individuals tend to…
Invisible wounds of war are injuries that veterans receive that can’t be seen on the outside. They affect their mental health, their caregivers and their families. Dr. Heidi Kraft, clinical director at San Diego-based PsychArmor Institute and a Navy veteran, addressed these issues in a special webinar about invisible wounds of war that impact veterans as they age and how…
Bringing a caregiver into the home for your loved one can be stressful. There is a lot to consider, but the hardest part is usually admitting that your loved one can no longer care for themselves the way they used to and need additional support. How do you know that it is time? Use this checklist as a guideline and…
By: Arnold Williams, M.D. Chair of Medical Staff for RJWBarnabas Behavioral Health Center While we may be well versed regarding the signs and symptoms of mental illness, such as depression and anxiety, but when is it time to reach out for professional help? If you or your loved ones’ mental illness is impeding their everyday life, and in a way…
EDITOR’S NOTE: This content has been provided to Assisting Hands Home Care by Susan G. Komen New Jersey in honor of breast cancer awareness month and was originally published on their blog. We thought it contained valuable information and obtained permission to share it as a resource. For many, caregiving can be a very fulfilling and rewarding experience; a role…
Being crafty isn’t just fun, it’s good for your health overall. Crafting improves cognitive function, motor skills, reduces stress and blood pressure while lowering anxiety. It helps strengthen the dexterity of the hands and fingers, aids in hand/eye coordination, activate the creative part of your brain, and can help ease the symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and even dementia by…
When you say the word caregiver, what comes to mind? A warm, mom-like woman with a comforting smile is probably the first image that pops into your head. That stereotype is changing as more men step into the role of caregiving. Husbands and sons are taking on more care responsibilities than ever before, a trend that has been on an…
