Aging gracefully is challenging enough under perfect circumstances, much less when struggling with a chronic condition. According to the National Council on Aging: Approximately 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77% have at least two. Four chronic diseases—heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes—cause almost two-thirds of all deaths each year. [...]
Can you believe we are already more than halfway through October? Before you know it, it will be Thanksgiving, and then we’ll be fully into the holiday season. For some, that means parties, get-togethers, fun times with family and friends, and time to reconnect with people that we may not get to see throughout the [...]
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 [...]
Caring for an aging loved one can test your budget as much as your patience and endurance. Fortunately, there are federal, state and even local government programs that can help you make ends meet, find and afford care for your loved one and even obtain respite care for yourself. Here is a guide to the [...]
Guest article by Cheryl Levin-Folio My husband, Michael, was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 56. It was surreal and hard to swallow, but we didn’t run away. Nor did we try to escape the stigma that accompanied the devastating news. We let it sink in and created a plan to live our [...]
What is it like to be a caregiver? Your clients and their loved ones probably never expected to be caring for a person who is sick or has a disability. As professional caregivers, we need to ensure a meaningful quality of life for our clients, the care recipient, and ourselves. Just as the care recipient [...]
Keep your loved one comfortable and follow the recommendations of his or her health care provider. Keep others in the home healthy by washing hands and household surfaces frequently. Ensure that all medications are taken as directed. Keep your loved one in a separate space from other members of the household. Everyone in the home, [...]
Winter is a special time for celebration. It should also be a time for added caution if you or someone in your family is an older adult. It is the season for falls, slips on icy streets and other dangers that can be especially harmful for older adults. "Something as simple as a fall can [...]
