When Phyllis arrived in the ICU after heart surgery, her daughter Isabelle expected her to be a little out of it for a day or two. But on the third day, she and her father grew increasingly concerned that Phyllis’s behavior was very unusual, even under these circumstances. She didn’t seem to really understand where she was or what was…
Today’s seniors grew up in the era when automobiles became commonplace, and were the pride and joy of many teens. Driving, therefore, equals independence in the minds of most seniors. But physical or intellectual impairment and even the normal changes of aging can make driving less safe, or unsafe, for older adults. It seems that every week, we see a…
Is your family struggling to manage care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other brain disease? Distraught as you see them lose their cognitive abilities – perhaps even the ability to recognize individual family members? You are not alone. Many in our community are dealing with these painful issues. You want not only compassionate care for your loved…
Is it becoming more difficult for Dad to take proper care of his yard or bend over to take the laundry out of the dryer? Does it seem like too much effort some days for him to cook or take care of basic housework? Does he bathe less often because he is worried about slipping and falling in the shower…
Mom was always the carefree ringleader of family fun. Yet lately, the family has noticed that she always seems worried about things. She wonders if she left the stove on. She doesn’t like to go to the grandchildren’s sports events, fearing they’ll be injured. Though she has a nice nest egg, she is concerned about running out of money. Everyone…
It’s already August, but there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the summer! Here are some ideas for you: Read a good book There’s nothing like a good book to help you escape the daily routine of life. In just seconds you could be embroiled in a mystery in post-war Barcelona (The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron),…
Do you own your possessions, or do your possessions own you? As we grow older, many of us must make decisions about what to do with a lifetime of belongings. In more extreme cases, families find themselves dealing with hoarding, a disorder which becomes more common as people grow older. Collecting or Hoarding? What’s the Difference? Hoarding is a popular…
When a person with Alzheimer’s wanders away, they may be unable to ask for help or even tell who they are. It can be some time before the person is found, causing all manner of anguish for their family. Fortunately, there is more awareness around this issue today. With almost six million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease today, it’s a…
Fear of falling confines many seniors to the house. Professional caregivers help them remain active and engaged in the community. “Each year, more than one in four older adults aged 65 and older will fall. Among older Americans, falls are the number one cause of injuries and death from injury. This represents 29 million falls, 3 million emergency department (ED)…
“Mom is due at the doctor at 10:30, and my boss just called a staff meeting.” When you’re providing care for an elderly loved one, it’s not uncommon to feel torn between work, your loved one’s needs, and your other responsibilities. According to the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), nearly 66 million Americans provide care to a…
