When you are visiting your senior loved ones for the holidays, take a look around to make sure their environment is safe. For many seniors, illnesses and natural processes of aging can be threatening. Seniors living in their own homes face additional threats in the form of home hazards. Some medical conditions, like dementia, can make these hazards even more…
In case of emergency, it’s essential for seniors and their loved ones to have a communication plan. According to FEMA, the most common reasons for evacuation are fires and floods, and older adults are 2.5 times more likely to die in fires than the general population. During the winter, power outages, especially those that involve loss of heat, can be…
Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, gratitude also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals – whether other people, nature, or a higher power. Gratitude has the power…
One of the great joys of the holidays is reconnecting with family who may live far away. And, with the pandemic, many families have not seen each other physically in many months, making this holiday season even more special. But sometimes when adult children visit their elderly loved ones after several months apart, they find they are no longer as…
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care month. When a family member is in palliative care or hospice, the role of the family caregiver looks different. If you are the main family caregiver, one of the key factors is getting and staying organized. Start a notebook where you can keep important phone numbers, medications, and notes about the patient. Utilize…
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. It’s also a time when families get together after not seeing one another for a long time. Adult children may arrive home for the holidays and wonder if their aging parent is starting to show signs of Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Only a doctor can effectively diagnose which stage a person may be experiencing, but…
Does your senior loved one like to play games? Were they competitive in their younger years? Just because they might be experiencing difficulties with mental or physical capacity does not mean that they can’t participate in competitive activities now. And with the holidays coming, you can prepare for family gatherings by offering some games everyone, including those seniors who may…
Millions of elderly Americans are duped by some type of financial fraud or con – from romance to lottery, sweepstakes to medical, seniors lose more than $3 billion annually. And as the population of seniors grow, the profits criminals can command will grow as well. Here is information from the FBI about common scams – and how to protect yourself…
October is National Dental Hygiene Month, a reminder of the importance of adopting healthy dental practices that promote healthy teeth and gums. Dental care is not just about cosmetics, it is an important factor in overall health. As a result, it’s important for seniors to take care of their oral hygiene. Sometimes seniors who are using dentures believe dental care…
Food is central to our health – and, to a degree, our happiness, as food is something we often enjoy sharing with friends and family. Most people have food-related stories around their social events or holidays. As we age, however, sometimes that joy is diminished by our body’s decreased capacity to intake nutrients, mechanical issues with chewing and digestion, and…
