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:
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 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 […]
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 […]
Patience When Caregiving: It Takes Practice!
Does your blood pressure soar once you finally finish filling your cart with groceries, only to find just one checkout lane open and a line of irritated shoppers ahead of you? Or when you arrive five minutes early for a doctor’s appointment, simply to have to wait 45 minutes to be seen? Some people just […]
Resolutions for Alzheimer’s Caregivers for the New Year
People around you might be resolving to lose ten pounds, eat healthier, and exercise more, but as a caregiver for someone with dementia, perhaps just getting through every day is challenging enough. The idea of aiming to improve upon any area of your life in this unsettling time might be overwhelming. Even thinking about New […]
28 Important Questions for Older Adults Over The Holidays
It has been quite some time since you’ve had the opportunity for a good, long visit with Mom. Now that the holidays are here, you will have some uninterrupted time to catch up. Of course you’ll want to fully enjoy this time with each other, but it’s also a great time to assess how she […]
Types of Thickened Liquids for Swallowing Disorders
Unless you need to drink thickened liquids for a swallowing disorder called dysphagia, you most likely haven’t given much consideration to the various consistencies and textures of the liquids in your diet. When you’re thirsty, nothing hits the spot like an ice-cold glass of water. On a hot summer day, you might crave a refreshing […]
Alzheimer’s Research Suggests the Disease Could Be an Autoimmune Disorder
Discovering a cure for Alzheimer’s disease has turned out to be as entangled as the tau threads that have long been considered to be the root cause of the disease. But now, researchers may be coming a step nearer to unraveling the puzzle of Alzheimer’s disease, through a new train of thought. Alzheimer’s research is […]
Improving Social Interactions for Introverted Older Adults
Hold onto your hats … the holidays are here! Although there are many who thrive on the frenzied pace of parties and celebrations, there are an equal number of us who wince at the thought of going outside of our comfort zone and into more large-scale social obligations. It may simply boil down to one […]
Health Concerns That Can Cause Negative Mood Changes in Seniors
We all have bad days and good days, and we’re all entitled to a little negative thinking or crankiness every now and then. If you are caring for a senior who seems to have fallen into a pattern of continual complaining and negativity, however, it is worth exploring whether a health issue may be the […]
Simple, Effective Strategies to Improve Memory Today
Remember memorizing the order of the colors of the rainbow in elementary school? A lot of us were introduced to Roy G. Biv to master this feat – among the many mnemonics we learn that, remarkably, often stay with us for life.
How to Overcome Caregiver Isolation
Who could imagine that spending so much time taking care of another person could also make you feel incredibly alone? The reality is that caregiver isolation is extremely common, for a number of reasons:
Try These Creative Ways to Get More Fruits and Veggies Into a Senior’s Diet
If you are preparing meals for a senior who prefers carbs to carrots (and honestly – who doesn’t?), you could find it difficult to ensure their nutritional needs are being fulfilled. And you’re not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares that only one in ten older adults is meeting the recommendation of […]