What to Do When a Senior With Dementia No Longer Recognizes You
You’ve been taking care of Mom since her dementia diagnosis. You’ve been working through many of the challenging symptoms. However one day, she looks at you and calls you by a different name – that of her husband or younger brother or father. Do you correct her, reminding her that you are her son? Should […]
How to Help Elderly Parents Be More Social During the Holidays
Hold onto your hats…the holidays are here! Though there are many people who flourish on the frenzied pace of parties and celebrations, there are an equal number of us who cringe at the idea of stepping outside of our comfort zone and into more intensive social requirements. It might simply come down to one main […]
The “Questions to Ask Aging Parents” Checklist for the Holidays
It’s been quite some time since you’ve had the opportunity for a nice, long visit with Mom. Now that the holiday season is here, you will have some uninterrupted time to catch up. Of course, you’ll want to make the most of this time together, but it’s also the best time to evaluate how she […]
Technology for Older Adults that Makes Living at Home Easier and Safer
“You are always free to choose what you do with your life. To make changes in your future, make new choices today.” – Brian Tracy Selecting where to live in our older age is not straightforward. Nearly all seniors would rather remain at home for a lifetime, it is not without concerns. Can it be […]
Tips to Ease Restlessness in Dementia
Pacing. Fidgeting. Wandering. When you begin to notice these signs in someone you love with dementia, it’s time to take action before they escalate to agitation, aggression, or leaving the home. But figuring out why the person is feeling restless is sometimes half the battle. For starters, ask yourself the following questions: Could the person […]
How Dementia Affects All Five Senses
When we think about dementia, the first thing that typically comes to mind is the loss of memory. Cognitive decline is a hallmark effect of Alzheimer’s disease along with other forms of dementia, but there are so many other areas of life which are impacted as well. In fact, each of the five senses may […]
Give Yourself the Gift of a Stress-Free Holiday Season
What do you wish for most this holiday season? Peace on earth? Good health for your family members? Financial security? What if you could have a stress-free holiday season? What a gift that would be! Caregiving can be overwhelming any time of year; however, the holiday season can send your stress level off the charts. […]
Follow This Checklist 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 the time to sort out your grief is very important. Yet there are, unfortunately, several tasks that need to be taken care of at various intervals after the […]
A Sudden Decline in Dementia: Causes and Remedies
Wouldn’t it be helpful if there were an Alzheimer’s care manual, with step-by-step details on what to expect at every stage of the disease? While there are a few general commonalities during the progression of dementia, each person’s experience is unique. This makes it difficult to know what to expect on any given day. Even […]
Tips for Cancer Care: What NOT to Do During Chemotherapy
The benefits of chemotherapy are indisputable and can save someone’s life. Yet in the process of destroying harmful cancer cells, noncancerous cells may also be in the crossfire, leading to challenging side effects. The physician will provide instructions on what cancer patients need to do to minimize these effects, but it is just as important to […]