Offering real support and care to seniors is a challenge for many families. For those living far away from senior loved ones – or unable to visit due to current circumstances – the challenge is even greater. As families spread out around the country and globe, seniors often rely on the support of loved ones who live far away. Long-distance…
A loss of independence is a fear many seniors have. When this fear is realized, there are several ways caregivers need to help. According to an AARP study, 57% of seniors over age 70 do not find it easy to live alone and need help with daily tasks. This loss of independence can take its toll on a senior’s psychological and physical well-being. Family…
Our primary love partnerships are the most significant in our lives. Marriage or committed partnership has proven to extend our health and longevity, for a variety of reasons: Ohio State University research psychologist Christopher Fagundes, PhD, notes that married couples are less likely to engage in risky behavior or substance abuse – and that just moving in together lowers these behaviors even more. …
It’ll take more than a jar of change to pay for the long-term care most people will need. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 52% of people turning 65 will need long-term care at some point. Yet less than 1/3 of Americans age 50+ have begun saving for long-term care. Many people are also confused about what government…
Caring for someone with brain disease like Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia can provide special challenges. One of the most difficult can be handling your loved one’s anger, confusion, and agitation. These are emotions we all have, but those with brain disease may lack vital centers that help regulate them. Remember too that these emotions are driven largely by…
When we have young children, we think about who might take care of them if we are not able to do so. But we often don’t make such plans when we are a caregiver for a parent or other elderly adult, even though the person we care for may need us just as much as our children did. And we…
Getting together with family over the holidays can be fun and exciting. It also often brings to light the difficulties aging parents or loved ones may be having in their day-to-day life. (See recent article Holidays: A Chance to Assess). With the increasing number of aging Baby Boomers, more and more families will be confronting the issues of caregiving…
When Phyllis arrived in the ICU after heart surgery, her daughter Isabelle expected her to be a little out of it for a day or two. But on the third day, she and her father grew increasingly concerned that Phyllis’s behavior was very unusual, even under these circumstances. She didn’t seem to really understand where she was or what was…
Today’s seniors grew up in the era when automobiles became commonplace, and were the pride and joy of many teens. Driving, therefore, equals independence in the minds of most seniors. But physical or intellectual impairment and even the normal changes of aging can make driving less safe, or unsafe, for older adults. It seems that every week, we see a…
