Alzheimer’s Disease presents many challenges, not the least of which is something called sundowning—a period in the late day/early evening when agitation or irritability can set in for no apparent reason. Confusion tends to worsen as the sun goes down, hence the name. So, what causes it and how can you manage it?
The holidays can be a lot of fun but can also be a bit stressful, especially on seniors. They don’t want to feel like they are a burden to anyone, yet they still want to enjoy all the festivities of family and friends. If you notice some of the following signs in your senior loved one, it may be time to ask about an in-home caregiver.
One of the most difficult parts of caring for senior loved ones is knowing how to handle the depression that often befalls them. There is no doubt that seniors are more at risk for developing depression, and it’s important that family members and caregivers understand the warning signs and what to do about them.
Being a caregiver to a family member has an impact on the other relationships in your life, making the personal priorities fall to the back burner. While we may tell ourselves, this type of caregiving is only temporary, it often turns into much longer months or even years. You must take care of yourself while you take care of a family member, and that self-care includes nurturing the most important relationships in your life. Here are a few tips…
Did you know that nearly half of all senior adults over the age of 65 need some type of assistance daily? It’s true. As many as 70% of seniors will need a caregiver at some point as they continue to age. One of the biggest challenges with caregiving is how to know when it’s time to hire in-home care. Here are some signs that can help you determine if the time is right.
Dementia falls under the umbrella of Alzheimer’s disease and refers to the cognitive decline, memory loss, and several other behaviors that impact the ability to have normal function and routine. In advanced stages, it can also pose a safety risk, such as wandering off or getting lost. Here are a few of the behaviors commonly associated with the onset of dementia:
It’s tough for anyone living with a chronic disease, but it seems even more challenging when it’s a senior loved one who has worked hard to raise a family and are now faced with sickness. If you are a caregiver for an older adult in your life, you already know how important it is to maintain a routine and a predictable order. This is especially true for cognitive decline such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Learn more…
We all want to live long and healthy lives! As adults, we desire to do all we can to help our parents age well and gracefully. This may be going along beautifully until a health crisis or some other stressful event happens. What to do next? How do we give our aging parents the control they need to continue to feel independent while still stepping into the role of helper or caregiver? Read on.
Did you know that sitting too much can also be a problem? While sitting too much is not a good habit to fall into, neither does it mean that you need to stand for hours on end. The point is not to stand more, but to sit less. So, the bottom line is gentle activity or even slow movement is better than sitting still for extended periods of time. Learn more…
The life expectancy continues climbing in this country, and with that comes even more caregiving responsibilities of adult children of elderly parents. For a few, this means just providing care and support after an illness or surgery. But for many other family caregivers, taking on the task of caregiver will last 5 years or more. So, how do we manage the stress that comes with caring for those we love most? Read on…
Anyone who has become a caretaker for aging parents knows that as they age, they can become stubborn. Whether it’s dementia setting in, medications, or just a loss of control, seniors can become obstinate as they age and that can present its own special set of challenges for those doing the caretaking. So, how do you deal with stubborn parents? Read on…
All of us get anxious from time to time, no matter how old we are. But for seniors, anxiety can be harder to cope with as they age. If you have an older loved one who is struggling to get through normal daily tasks due to anxiety, it’s time to speak to a doctor and get a plan to help ease the symptoms before it becomes hard to manage.
As seniors grow older, you may notice increasing problems with balance. This increases the risk of falling, which can have terrible consequences. The good news? There are many exercises that are simple and easy and can be done right from home with no special equipment! Here are a few exercises that will increase balance and mobility in your senior loved one.
Recovering from any kind of surgery can be a challenge, but if your friends and family who could help you don’t live close by, you may be having to recover on your own. Here are some tips to help make that recovery process easier, whether you are the patient, or you have a senior loved one who is the one recovering. The main goal, of course, is to get back to normal as quickly as possible!
Moving is stressful when everything goes right! Moving aging parents from the home they have known for years can come with many extra challenges. For seniors who have been in their house for years and even raised children and grandchildren there, this process requires a special touch with lots of care. Use this checklist to help make downsizing easier on both you and your parents when it comes time to move.
All adults need 7-9 hours of sleep, no matter our age. Older adults often find themselves feeling frustrated when they can’t get to sleep or sleep through the night. It can happen for a variety of reasons, not the least of which could be medications, pain, or even depression. Learn some of the causes and how to get better sleep.
It’s a lost art to embrace the aging process with grace and poise. The truth is, we go through many difficult changes as we grow older, and many of us see a decline in our health as we age, simply because we don’t know how to deal with all the changes of aging in a healthy way. Whether it’s retirement, loss of loved ones, grown kids leaving for college, or even declining health, the changes that come with aging can be scary. We want to help! Read on….
It’s often thought that those diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s will steadily lose their quality of life. While cognitive decline is certainly part of the process, there are things you can do as a caregiver to maintain as much quality of life as possible. Regardless of the stage of their disease, they need to be stimulated every day, both in mind and body!
“Aging in place” is a term that has become more and more frequent these days. As people age, most prefer to do it in the comfort of their own home and familiar surroundings. Thankfully, most people will be able to do just that if they desire, although it takes a little advanced planning. Here are some tips to plan ahead for aging in place.
If you are a caregiver for a senior loved one, you know how tough it can be, both mentally and physically. You need to expect some adjustments and know that even if it’s hard to manage the stress, there are ways to do it that will help you. We’ve put together several coping skills so you can deal with the tough times that always come from being a caregiver around the clock.
Research shows that seniors today have more access than ever to the internet. This includes the use of smartphones, tablets and even computers. As seniors dive into the world wide web, their identity information is at risk for hackers and thieves. So, how do we keep seniors safe from identity theft? Read on!
Everybody complains of memory loss as we grow older. Whether we’re looking for car keys, important paperwork or trying to remember someone’s name, it seems we have had to accept that memory loss just comes with the aging process. When older adults suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s, memory loss can be much more pronounced and difficult to deal with. There are some ways to help make it better, though. Let’s look at some tips!
If you’ve ever been a caretaker for a senior family member, you already know how difficult it can be. The toll it can take emotionally and physically can be daunting if you aren’t prepared. Let’s look at some of the most common issues associated with being a full-time caregiver and what you can do about it. Remember, knowledge equals power!
As the fourth leading cause of death in America, stroke statistics are frightening to say the least. Someone will die from a stroke every five minutes. So, it pays to know more about stroke, how it happens, who is at risk, and what to do should one occur. If you are a senior, or a caregiver for a senior loved one, you need to know the facts on strokes!
Have you ever heard the phrase, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” Many seniors start worrying that they are losing memory and cognitive thinking skills as they age, and many of them think it just comes with growing older. To some degree, that can be true, but how do you know the difference between normal memory loss from aging and a cognitive decline such as dementia? Read on…
It’s stressful enough being a caregiver for an aging parent, but when you are also in the “sandwich generation,” things can be even harder. The sandwich generation refers to adults caring for senior parents as well as children young enough to still be in the home. Here are some helpful tips for easing the stress of caring for two different generations.
You’ve probably heard of Parkinson’s Disease or know someone who suffers with it. It is a progressive disease that affects the central nervous system, making movement, balance and muscle control become very difficult. Over time, it can cause total loss of control over certain body functions. Although there is no cure, there are many treatments to help manage the disease. One such option involves nutrition. Keep reading to learn what seniors with Parkinson’s should be eating.
Did you know that heart disease kills more people than any other condition in the United States? While there can be genetic risk factors that increase your odds of developing heart disease, most often it is brought on by lifestyle choices that can be corrected. With one in four people dying from heart disease, it’s time to learn just what does put seniors at risk!
Never has there been a time when we are more conscious about what we eat, our overall health, and how food affects us. There is no question that aging can be significantly impacted by the foods we eat, and as older adults approach their senior years, it will become clear that food choices will impact BMI (body mass index) and the measurement of the waist. Both things can put as at risk for many diseases when not kept at healthy levels. Learn more:
Did you know that seniors can actually overcome many challenges of aging simply by dancing? It’s true! While we might not think of dance as something elderly people like to do, you might be surprised if you just ask them! Beyond the great physical benefits, here are some ways that dance can improve the quality of life for your older adult!
Have you ever heard of a TIA? It is an abbreviation for “transient ischemic attack” that refers to having a “mini-stroke.” If the older adult in your life suddenly seems out of sorts or acts in a bizarre way, they may be experiencing a mini-stroke. They’re more common than you think. It would be very wise to know the signs and symptoms, and what to do if it happens. Let’s look deeper….
Seniors, like all of us, need all the essential vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. During the winter months, Vitamin D is often depleted due to lack of sunlight and time outdoors. This problem can be even more compounded because vitamin D is not found naturally in many foods like other nutrients are. For aging adults whose bodies don’t absorb vitamins as easily, it’s even more important.
We all know that exercise is super important for our health, but did you ever stop to think about the heart benefits as we grow older? It’s especially true of seniors. Even mild to moderate exercise in seniors can help them prevent stroke, heart disease and high blood pressure. It can also lower cholesterol levels and even help eliminate type 2 diabetes. Here are some other benefits for seniors who get regular exercise:
We have pretty much been told nowadays that Alzheimer’s reduces people down to nothing more than a shell of what they used to be. Family and caretakers often feel they have to just stand by and watch their loved one slip away. The good news is that there ARE things you can do to help your senior loved one have a better quality of life by staying engaged and active! Follow the ideas in this article to help your senior loved one feel valued and secure.
When it comes to arthritis, older adults and seniors are among the hardest hit. As the weather gets colder, pain from arthritis increases and natural ways to combat this disease are sought after. There are many prescription medications that can help ease the symptoms of arthritis, but many of them come with unpleasant side effects that can be tough to endure. However, there ARE natural remedies to help ease arthritis pain! Read on.
Studies show that as older adults age, hearing loss is common, along with some type of decline in cognitive health. In fact, seniors with hearing loss will experience cognitive decline nearly 40% faster that those without. The bottom line is, by taking active steps to prevent hearing loss as early as possible, you may also be protecting your independence as you age.
Christmas has passed and now 2019 is upon us! This means more parties and more celebrating for most of us. However, if you have a senior loved one, late night parties aren’t exactly an easy thing to endure. New Year’s Eve often includes staying up late and partying hard, but there are many wonderful activities that allow for a grand time with the seniors in your life, that don’t include staying up half the night. Read on for our tips!
Holiday time can be tough for many of us, especially seniors. There are a variety of reasons that make this a difficult time for many people. Seniors often feel anxious about needing assistance or being a burden. They may fear they won’t hear well and can’t enjoy the conversation around them. Whatever the case, we have some tips to help the seniors in your life enjoy the festivities!
Holidays can be a crazy for time for many of us, especially if you are hosting family members. Perhaps you remember everyone gathering at your parents’ house when you were growing up, and now the mantle of responsibility falls on you—how do you prepare for hosting elderly relatives? We have some tips!
As we become adults, the tables begin turning as our parents start aging, and in some cases, we even become caretakers for parents who begin having cognitive impairments like dementia or Alzheimer’s. It can be tough on everybody when seniors know they have memory loss and can’t do anything about it. Even though they may seem checked out, it’s SO important to be careful of what we say around them. Here are a few tips to help you remember what NOT to say to your aging parents.
It’s that time of the year where family and turkeys converge. The big Thanksgiving get-together is traditionally a time to share a meal, gratitude for the good things in our lives, and just good fellowship with those we love. Many of us are mindful of our diets, including seniors, so how do you help everyone eat healthy at the Thanksgiving feast? Here are a few tips.
It’s no secret that physical activity is a huge benefit to people of all ages, especially seniors. The hard facts of scientific research show that exercise WILL improve overall health! But, did you know that seniors with dementia are among those who reap huge benefits from physical activity? Read on to learn more…
Being a caregiver is a demanding job and one that requires a lot from you, both psychologically and emotionally. In order to prevent burnout, you need to learn how to take care of yourself as you are taking care of your loved one. Here are some tips to help you de-stress and avoid caregiver burnout.
Helping your senior loved one through surgery can be a daunting task, but also a labor of love. As with anything else that comes with aging in place, post-op recovery takes special planning to ensure the comfort of everyone involved. If you are a caretaker for an older adult, you may find it easy to trust their doctors, but not so much when it comes to trusting yourself. Following, are some of our best tips for caring for your loved one after heart surgery.
As you begin to move into your senior years, choosing healthy food is a smart thing to do. When you approach the age of 60, your body begins to change, and your metabolism slows down. The food you eat is responsible to provide the nutrients that you need. Use these tips to select better for a healthier you!
Did you know that drinking caffeine can lower the risk for Alzheimer’s Disease? For many years it has been thought that consuming caffeine has a negative impact on one’s health, but in recent years it’s now becoming clear that drinking coffee in moderate amounts is indeed linked to lower risk of Alzheimer’s. Let’s look at some of the most recent studies concerning drinking caffeine so you can feel better informed!
It’s estimated that nearly a million people will have a stroke this year. But here’s the good news: up to 80% of all strokes are preventable! The National Stroke Association and other agencies like it, have dedicated themselves to educating the public about how to recognize the symptoms of stroke, as well as how to prevent them. Scores of deaths could be prevented with this information.
Depression, worthlessness, and anxiety are some feelings that are often found in seniors as they age. There is no need to allow these feelings to take over your life. When you begin to look at the positive things that come with the process of aging, it will allow you to age gracefully and gain the most from your senior years. Here are a few things that you can to do embrace the aging process:
As your aging parent grows older, their immune system becomes more fragile, so sleep is crucial for them to stay healthy. Even though seniors tend to need less sleep in their older years, they should still get at least 6-8 hours of good rest each night. Read on to discover a few of the ways poor sleep can affect your health.
Everyone knows that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Unfortunately, kitchens are also the number one place in the home for accidents, especially for seniors. How safe is your kitchen? Read on to find out what to look for to make sure your kitchen or that of your senior loved one is a safe place to be.
There are a lot of scenarios where home care may be warranted. Whether it’s a parent, a child with disabilities or perhaps you yourself need to research options for a long-term condition. Maybe an ailing loved one is going to be moving into your home and you’re wondering if you should hire a home health agency. Here are some of the many benefits to help you know which direction to turn.
Everyone wants to be independent and healthy as long as possible, and most seniors fear to be a burden to their loved ones above all else. If your older adult is showing signs of needing more care and assistance to have a full life, it’s best to approach it slowly and transition gradually. Read on to discover our tips and suggestions about easing your loved one into assisted living.
Alzheimer’s Disease has a component that might be familiar for caretakers and their loved ones—it’s called sundowning, and it’s the increased level of confusion that tends to happen in the later part of the day. You may notice that they become more agitated as the evening wears on, and confusion increases. It happens more often as the disease advances, but there are things you can do to lessen the effects. Here are some tips….
For seniors all over the country, their main desire as they grow older is to stay in their homes for as long as they possibly can. Their independence is incredibly valuable to them, so it’s important to know the signs to look for that may indicate they might need some extra help. Here are some signs to look for if you are concerned about their well-being living alone.
For many seniors, the warm summer months are favored over winter, due to achiness and pain associated with colder temperatures. While summer brings warmer days and more activities outdoors, it also brings the danger of dehydration. It’s easy for any of us to become dehydrated, but it can be especially dangerous for seniors. Here’s why…
While it may take a little longer for us to heal and bounce back from things as we age, an appropriate level of activity is ALWAYS a good thing, no matter how old we get! If your older adult has physical limitations or health problems, you might be surprised how easy it is to find some exercises that can be done safely. Let’s look at some benefits!
Many things can cause falls in Seniors and none of them are fun. The good news is that with a few tips and preventative actions, you can help the senior in your life to avoid becoming injured from a fall. Let’s look at a few simple things you can do to create a fall-proof environment for the senior loved one in your life.
Getting out of the house to enjoy some outdoor activities with the senior in your life is easier than you might think. Spring has sprung in most areas of the country and any doctor will tell you that getting outdoors is good for all of us, especially after a long winter! Sunshine carries significant vitamins and other benefits that affect mood, balance and overall health. Want to know more?
It is now known that sugar has a serious impact on Alzheimer’s Disease, so if you know or care for someone who has Alzheimer’s or dementia, now is the time to help them cut sugar out of their diet because their overall health depends on it! Let’s look at some tips and info that will help you stay aware of the sugar your household is consuming and what you can do about it. There are many myths revolving around the great sugar debate, so we will now break down some of the more known ones.
Sensitivity to the surroundings around them is one of the main issues among seniors who struggle with dementia and Alzheimer’s. In order to soothe agitation and lessen difficult behaviors, it’s important to create a calm and relaxing environment. Here are 5 ways to help create a calm environment for the older adult in your family.
A lot of friction can happen when a family must watch their parents age. The old phrase, “age gracefully” doesn’t always seem so graceful, especially when it refers to those we love most. Communication skills are vital to any relationship! Last week we looked at tips for discussing the aging process with your elderly parents. Here are even more great tips for caregivers and family members to have a meaningful conversation with aging parents.
As a society, we have never been more aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet to preserve our health and live longer. This is also true of seniors today! Just like children have certain dietary needs, seniors and older adults do too. Our bodies and metabolism slow as we age, making it easier to eat fewer calories. Fewer calories, however, does not mean less nutrition! Let’s look at the role nutrition plays as we age….
Seniors have a variety of needs that require transportation that is reliable and safe. If the day has come when your older loved one can no longer drive themselves safely, you may want to consider hiring a professional caregiver. Family or friends may not always be available, so it’s helpful to have other options on the table. Here are a few tips to help you hire a caregiver who can transport the senior in your life.
Pets not only fills the need to nurture and take care of something, but they can also improve our health! Did you know that the benefits of owning a pet goes far beyond companionship? It’s true! Studies have been done that proves how a pet lowers blood pressure and heart rate, lowers the risk of heart disease and stress, and even prevents depression. If you or your senior loved one is considering a pet, think about the following pros and cons:
Ice, snow and other winter weather is difficult for everyone, but when you are a caregiver it can take even more challenges. Doctor’s appointments, social activities, church, grocery store runs….all of this can be far more difficult in the winter months. There’s no doubt that falling is a huge risk for seniors, but they are especially vulnerable during cold weather. Here are some fantastic tips to keep your senior safe from falls:
If at all possible, most seniors will choose to stay in their homes as long as possible. They may need some care or assistance and home care workers make that a viable choice. Everything from housekeeping, meal and medication oversight and skilled nursing can all be done within the home. Let’s look at some key reasons that home care for seniors is the preferred course of care…
When a person has Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, it is most often the short-term memory that is affected first. They are able to recall memories from long ago, which can make reminiscence therapy very effective in bringing joy to this group of seniors. Memories can be associated with specific parts of the brain, so doing the following activities can help stimulate brain function. Get creative!
It’s that time of year again where flu season is upon us. Did you know that seniors, as well as their caregivers, are more vulnerable to the flu? It’s true, but there are things you can do to protect yourself and shorten the lifespan of the illness if it does happen. To help you prevent colds and flu, here are some important tips:
All of us get cold in the winter, but seniors are even more prone to being unable to warm up easily during those cold months. Most of us grew up with our mothers warning us we would get sick if we’re cold, but this is especially true with elderly people. They really can get dangerously sick just from being cold. Why is that? Read on…
It’s not uncommon for seniors to have increased pain in their joints and muscles during the winter. Doctors will tell you that there are more prescriptions written for aches and pains during colder temperatures than other times of the year. Here’s some helpful tips for reducing joint pain and discomfort in seniors:
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday for Americans, meant to enjoy loved ones, good food and a relaxed atmosphere. Planning for all this fun and relaxation can sometimes be a bit stressful, especially if you’re a caretaker for the senior loved one in your life. But fear not! Our tips will help you get through Thanksgiving with ease, so you can get back to enjoying what the day is all about—giving thanks for the special loved ones in your life.
Witnessing a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s can be a very painful experience. As they progress in the disease, memory problems become more noticeable. Eventually, that impairment causes the loss of self and they may not even recognize their friends and family. Communication with loved ones who have dementia can be tricky at times, but not impossible. Here are some tips on how to communicate with your loved one with dementia:
Each year, seniors are among the most targeted age group for scammers to work their dirty tricks. Criminals prey on seniors due to the simple fact that older people are deemed more trusting and willing to give up their financial information. This is a BIG problem. Here are some typical frauds attempted on seniors:
One of the difficult parts of pet ownership is knowing when to let go. If your senior parent has a pet, they are most likely very attached. The emotional bond between seniors and their pets can be a very powerful one, so navigating this subject can be tricky. Here are some signs to look for and helpful solutions to consider:
Caregivers for seniors have a beautiful opportunity to help them preserve their family memories so that generations to follow will be able to enjoy their legacy. Preserving memories will not only stimulate their minds, but also gives them a way to express their love and affection. Studies show that memory books combat anxiety and depression and promotes well-being. So how do you help the senior in your life create a memory book? Here are a few tips and helpful hints to get you started!
Anyone who has ever been in a caretaking role for senior adults knows that it can be very rewarding, yet very stressful. The stress that comes along with that “round-the-clock” availability can be overwhelming for anyone, regardless of how good you are at managing stress. So, how do you handle it and what do you do?
Do you have a senior loved one who adamantly refuses the idea of having someone come into the home to provide care? This is a difficult spot to find yourself in, as you no doubt need a break from the ongoing task of caretaking. Here are a few tips that will help you broach the subject with love and compassion.
Heat stroke can be deadly in seniors. As the summer heats up, so does the risk for heat stroke. It is a potentially fatal condition and can happen before they realize they are in the danger zone. As we age, our bodies become less responsive to heat, so it’s important that seniors understand the signs of a heat stroke.
The vast majority of Americans assume that the best way to care for our elderly is to place them in a nursing home or other skilled care facility. But did you know there are many reasons why allowing seniors to recover at home is better? In this article, we’ll explain the differences between home health care and nursing home care.
There are a few signs that can help you determine when it’s time to talk to your loved one about specialized senior care and what that might look like. Many of these signs just happen as they grow older, but often these same signs can lead to injury and other issues if they are ignored. Here are a few signs:
As we age, we are at greater risk for certain diseases, and seniors are especially vulnerable to high blood pressure, kidney disease, strokes and diabetes. That risk increases if they are not getting proper rest. There are many ways to prepare for rest and these tips are especially beneficial for seniors!
No matter how much you think you have planned ahead, the day your aging parent can’t cope on his or her own comes as a shock. You begin to reverse roles: you become the “parent” and your aging parent becomes your “child” as the scope of Mom or Dad’s needs begin to mimic those you had when you were a child. It’s going to change the dynamic of your household. So what level of care will you need to provide?
No one wants to talk about end of life issues. Especially if those issues involve a beloved aging senior who isn’t near the end of his life. But no matter how hesitant family members might be to broach the subject, it’s crucial that a living will be discussed and legally documented while your senior is still able to make known his or her wishes for end of life care!
At some time, you will find yourself wanting to keep abreast of changes in your elderly parents’ health and well-being. This will require a bit of subtle sleuthing and a lot of observation on your part. You might feel a bit like Sneaky Pete, but it’s for your folks’ good. Here's some tips on what to look for!