A Guide to Understanding Eating Disorders in Seniors
Changes in eating habits and weight are common as we grow older. Medication side effects, dental problems, less physical activity due to mobility issues, and other factors need to be explored and either addressed or ruled out. But there’s another possible culprit that may surprise you: eating disorders in seniors.
Smooth Transitions: Welcoming A New Caregiver into a Loved One’s Home
The big day has arrived: Dad’s first day with his new caregiver! If your family is like many, you may be experiencing a range of emotions: relief, uncertainty, and anxiety, to name a few. These feelings are common and perfectly normal when welcoming a new caregiver into a loved one’s home. A little advance planning […]
How to Talk to Parents About Aging Issues
Perhaps you recall having “the talk” with your parents about those cringeworthy pre-teen topics. If you thought that was uncomfortable, brace yourself for how to talk to parents about aging issues and the need for care at home! This can be extremely difficult, for many reasons:
Sudden Worsening of Dementia: Common Causes
Wouldn’t it be helpful if there was an Alzheimer’s care manual, with step-by-step information on what to anticipate at each stage of the disease? While there are several general commonalities in the progression of dementia, each person’s experience is different. This makes it hard to know what to expect on any given day.
Caregiver PTSD: Risks and Warning Signs
If you think PTSD only happens to those who have experienced life-threatening danger, think again. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) can arise after any traumatic experience or event. It might surprise you to learn that caring for a loved one is among the main causes of PTSD. However, the condition frequently goes undetected, and thus untreated. […]
How to Help an Older Adult With Social Vulnerability
It was not that long ago that people were isolating from one another to guard against spreading COVID-19. Seniors were particularly vulnerable, so additional precautions were taken to keep them safe. Solitary lifestyles adopted out of necessity became the new norm for a number of seniors who have yet to break out of this isolation. […]
Is it Aging Related Stress or Anxiety?
Is an older adult you love struggling with socializing, sleeping well or enjoying activities, or experiencing memory problems? Before chalking it up to the common effects of growing older, consider another common culprit: anxiety.
Six R’s of Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
When caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it’s important to remind yourself that you ARE capable, you ARE doing an excellent job, and you ARE making a difference! And while you’re self-affirming, there are several additional “Rs” that can help both you and the person in your care; six of them, to be exact.
How to Cope After the Death of a Loved One
After losing a loved one, the last thing you want to do is complete a list of to-dos. The pain and loss alone are overwhelming enough. Taking time to work through your grief is crucial. Yet there are, unfortunately, a number of tasks that need to be taken care of, at different intervals after the […]
What Should You Do When a Senior With Dementia No Longer Recognizes You
You’ve been taking care of Mom since her diagnosis of dementia. You’ve been working through many of the challenging symptoms. Yet one day, she looks at you and calls you by a different name – that of her husband or father or younger brother. Do you correct her, reminding her that you’re her son? Should […]
Making Your Loved One Comfortable in a Temporary Care Home
After a hospitalization or surgical procedure, the doctor may recommend rehab in a temporary care home before the person returns home. This is typically a short-term time of intensive therapy to promote healing and recovery. However, the thought of moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility even for a matter of weeks or […]
Improv Activities for Dementia Care: Connecting Through Creativity
Creativity, adaptability, and a healthy dose of lighthearted fun are some of the top ingredients to healthy and effective dementia care. It stands to reason then that a spontaneous activity like improvisation is a good way to connect and engage with a person struggling with cognitive challenges. Not only does it enable you to pivot […]
Senior Hygiene: How Often Should an Older Adult Bathe?
Sinking into a warm, soothing, bubble bath at the end of a stress-filled day, and stepping into a hot, invigorating shower first thing in the morning are daily pleasures for many of us. However, it is possible to have too much of a good thing when it comes to senior hygiene. You might want to […]
Caring for Senior Parents: How to Manage Emotional Empathy and Avoid Burnout
Empathy is, obviously, a crucial characteristic of effectively caring for senior parents. The ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes allows you to better meet their needs. However, there is one particular form of empathy that you need to understand as a caregiver in order to guard your own health and wellness: emotional empathy. […]
Cancer Care Tips: The Do’s and Don’ts of Chemotherapy
The benefits of chemotherapy are undisputable and can save someone’s life. Yet in the process of destroying harmful cancer cells, noncancerous cells can also be in the crossfire, causing challenging side effects. The doctor will provide instructions on what cancer patients need to do to minimize these effects, but it’s just as important to know […]
Cultivating Purpose: The Importance of Meaningful Activities for Seniors
What is it that gets you out of bed each morning? If you’re part of the sandwich generation, caring for both younger and older loved ones, your list is likely quite long! As the nest empties, however, it becomes important to redefine our identity and discover new ways to bring meaning to each day.
Siblings Deny the Warning Signs That Care is Needed for Senior Parents
When you begin to detect the red flags that care at home is needed for someone you love, it’s quite common for that person to balk at the idea. After all, admitting the need for help isn’t easy, especially for someone who values their privacy and independence. Yet what do you do when siblings deny […]
Using Routine With Dementia Care – Why It’s Essential
Have you ever woken up from a dream feeling totally disoriented? The dream seemed so real, and it takes a moment to regain your bearings. For someone with dementia, this confusion is part of everyday life. Our goal in providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s is to help provide as much stability as possible, and […]
Ableism Explained- Treating the Disabled with Respect and Dignity
Have you heard the word “ableism” but really could use some help to have ableism explained to you more clearly? First, think about your initial thought when you see a person in a wheelchair. Do you see that person as less-than, someone in need of being fixed? Do you presume they require special treatment, as […]
How You Can Help Advocate During Medical Tests for Older Adults
There’s often nothing “routine” about a routine checkup. You may arrive to your appointment perfectly fine but leave with orders for blood work as well as other lab tests a doctor recommends to help keep you as healthy as possible. These tests might be nothing more than a small inconvenience for you, but for a […]