Home Care Providers
In last month’s column we addressed the importance that seniors place on being able to maintain a home living environment for as long as possible. However, such a strong determination is not without its challenges and potential pitfalls. As we observed, merely desiring to remain independent is no guarantee that a senior can maintain a [...]
While seniors face a growing number of challenges just trying to stay physically, mentally, and emotionally “fit”, I’m sad to say that there is another challenge that is taking its toll on our senior population today … and that is physical and financial abuse. And what makes this even more troubling is that it often comes at the hands of trusted family members and friends.
Continue reading about Nine Tips for Seniors to Avoid Financial Abuse
In the previous two columns dealing with this subject, I specifically addressed some of the practical actions and preparations a senior and their family can take to lessen the inevitable challenges “before” and “during” the death of a parent. In today’s column I want to focus on how to handle the actual death experience, and [...]
Continue reading about What Happens When Mom and Dad Are Gone? Part 3
Recently, my wife and I engaged in an exercise that far too few couples (or individuals) ever get around to doing. For several hours we discussed and completed a document detailing our “wishes” regarding how we want to be treated if we become seriously ill. We also discussed and wrote down how we want to [...]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that at least 1.7 million Americans age sixty-five and older would die in 2008, and an equal or larger number in 2009. Of those, many will be the last surviving parent, and sadly, a large percentage will depart without a plan or even a simple will. No family meetings. No wishes expressed. No final loving words to share.
Continue reading about What Happens When Mom and Dad are Gone? Part 1
To a caregiver the outward symptoms of physical illness are pretty obvious. Aches, pains, or other persistent complaints can all be indicative of an underlying health issue. However, not all illnesses manifest themselves in the physical to cause such outward symptoms. Mental illnesses, such as depression, can have symptoms that mimic something as simple as [...]
Continue reading about Depression in the Elderly, Caregiver Advice
Everyone has mood swings and it is something caregivers have to deal with. We often run the gamut of emotions several times a day. Various triggers in our lives can evoke feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration – among others. Having a support system is important so that we may talk through our feelings. In [...]
Continue reading about Caregivers Taking Cues From A Client’s Moods
Many of us do not get the proper nutrition that our bodies require from the foods that we consume. In general, most people do not maintain a healthy and well balanced diet from which the nutrients could be derived. Failing to do this could result in a number of adverse health effects due to vitamin [...]
All of us experience insomnia at some point in our lives. Any disruption to our daily routine or schedules can throw our internal clocks out of whack. Time changes, foods we consume during the day, worry, stress, and illness are just some of the reasons why falling asleep may be difficult for us at times. [...]
Continue reading about Sleep Issues of a Senior, Home Care Advice
As we age, hardly any part of our body remains what it used to be. We lose muscle mass and skin tone. Our gait slows, our teeth may come loose, or our hair may begin to fall out. We may slur our speech a little bit, become hard of hearing, or just plain forget things [...]
