For many of us, the summer is a time of fun, time with friends and family, heading to the pool or the beach, and making lasting memories. Unfortunately, along with the summer, come high temperatures that can pose a risk, especially to seniors. Your body works hard to keep to a normal temperature. Excessive heat [...]
These conversations can go in all sorts of directions. Sometimes it’s best to let that happen. But there are a few key issues you should cover: How Things Are Now – Is the person you care about already facing challenges that you may not be aware of? Do you have a clear and realistic view [...]
Taking care of two elderly parents with different needs was not an easy task. For me it was on the job training that I learned from interacting with the professionals I met along the way, from living day to day with the challenges that I experienced, from others who had gone through this trying time, [...]
Married almost 40 years after a poorly worded pick-up line, Ira and Sandy Asherman now live with dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. Asherman Sandy on carousel-TCV That was Sandy’s evaluation during a workshop lead by Ira in Glens Falls, New York, more than 40 years ago. She replied, “You can do better…” after he approached [...]
Skills in Motion is a new fitness class that guides older people through playground games. There was a lot of whooping and hollering as a group of exuberant students gathered for recess time at Asphalt Green on the Upper East Side. They were playing a game called “popcorn.” “Listen up everyone,” yelled one of the [...]
“It’s not funny… until enough time has passed.” For many of our life experiences, after a time, we can laugh. Of course, there are enough life tragedies that will never be funny. But good hearty laughter strengthens our immune systems, limiting the damage caused by stress. So, the next time, you find yourself overwhelmed while [...]
It is important that, when our loved ones are home, they are safe. The trouble is, there are potential hazards lurking in the very homes that are supposed to provide comfort. That's why we developed this Home Safety Checklist, so you can quickly and easily address the most common safety hazards in your aging loved [...]
Your parent prizes his or her independence and insists on living at home, alone. However, you see signs of vulnerability and a precarious situation with the potential for falls and injury , poor nutrition and your parent becoming neglected or housebound . You want to help, but you live at a distance and don't know [...]
In working with seniors, one common error is the rush to assume that because someone has reached a certain age, any negative changes in thinking or behavior must be due to the onset of dementia. Promoted by age related stereotypes, many suspect dementia as the probable cause of symptoms that for non-seniors would be quickly [...]
Since the person with AD no longer possesses the mental skills to be completely independent, a special brand of leadership is called for. At least one person must assume overall authority for ensuring the well-being of the person with AD but it is best to include others too if at all possible. Much work is [...]
