Read in-depth articles about caregiving including how to take care of yourself, how to get paid, how to take a break, and how to get help.
Over time, you may notice changes in your loved one’s eating habits in late stage dementia. While loss of appetite is a normal phenomenon, it’s important to understand how to make mealtime comfortable, nourishing and safe for your loved one. Let’s go through some key must-knows about late stage dementia loss of appetite and other …
5 Must-Knows About Eating Habits in Late-Stage Dementia Read More »
Arthritis is a common condition that affects various parts of people’s bodies. A specific form of this condition, hip osteoarthritis, affects about 1 out of 4 people throughout their lives, although there are several other forms that can occur. If you’re a senior living with hip arthritis (or if you’re caring for one), it’s especially …
Hip Arthritis: What It Is and Which Exercises Can Help Read More »
What Hospice Means Hospice is a medical program that supports people who are in the end-of-life stage. When a person enrolls in hospice, it means they are no longer pursuing treatment to extend their life expectancy. Instead, the focus of hospice care is to provide a comprehensive support system that makes a person’s final days …
What is Hospice Care? Many diseases and conditions are treatable or even curable, but what happens when someone reaches the stage where they aren’t getting better? Sometimes, people do not respond to medication, or they simply do not wish to continue treatment after dealing with a terminal illness for some time. In this case, when …
No one wants to believe they or their loved one could be suffering from dementia, but with about 5.8 million people (5.6 million over the age of 65) diagnosed with some form of dementia in the U.S., it’s a condition we have to admit can impact us or those close to us. A dementia diagnosis …
Hospice isn’t a topic that’s enjoyable to discuss, but it is important, especially if your loved one is a senior citizen who’s dealing with a terminal illness and is expected to need hospice services in the near future. As a caregiver, you must familiarize yourself with the hospice criteria and eligibility requirements so that you …
When an elderly loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal or long-lasting illness, their overall care needs change. They need a different level of care than they would normally need just for aging or for a curable or short-term illness. Such a diagnosis often brings up the question of when should someone be offered …
What Is a Feeding Tube? A feeding tube is a device that’s used to nourish individuals via a direct route to the stomach. Tubes are used to give people medicine, food, and liquid when they aren’t able to take these substances by mouth. A variety of feeding tube styles exist. Gastrostomy tubes extend about six …
Your mother cared for you when you were a child and did just about everything she could to make your life happy. Now, as you find your caretaking roles reversing as you both age, you likely want to pay her back for all those wonderful memories you have. However, what happens when your mom seems …
Leg weakness in the elderly can be the result of several things, so you shouldn’t automatically assume the worst if you or your loved one is experiencing leg muscle weakness. It can often come from a vitamin deficiency, which can be fixed by adding a supplement to your diet. Sometimes, leg weakness in the elderly …
Growing old is a fact of life that is often underappreciated in our society. While many people spend large sums of money on products designed to disguise the aging process, learning to appreciate the wisdom and strength that come from old age is an invaluable skill. When we can recognize the beauty of our maturity …
If you’re a senior that needs medical assistance at home, chances are, you may need to swap your traditional bed for a hospital bed. Hospital beds are designed to raise, lower, or otherwise shift the user into a more comfortable position. Seniors who receive support from caregivers, nurses, or other medical staff can benefit from …
Hunting for housing for adults with disabilities? We’ve put together this guide to potential options, as well as some tips for choosing the right place for you.
According to the CDC, an average of one out of four seniors aged 65+ falls each year. Out of these falls, around 20% lead to a serious injury like a broken bone or injury to the head. Areas of the home with slick surfaces, such as the bathroom, can be especially dangerous places. Fortunately, there …
Most seniors take a variety of prescription medications and supplements. From medicine intended to regulate blood pressure to those that address chronic illnesses, it isn’t uncommon for a senior aged 65+ to take at least five medications on a regular basis, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. With so many pills to take …
Getting older often means experiencing a decrease in mobility, especially in environments that are challenging even for agile individuals, such as along the beach and on hilly streets. But, just because you don’t get around as well as you used to, you don’t have to give up traveling or participating in activities you love. Wheelchair …
Wheelchair Rentals: For Times When Mobility is Difficult Read More »
According to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, roughly 40 million Americans provide care to a loved one, yet few of them identify as professional caregivers. One option for those struggling to balance responsibilities is to hire a professional caregiver, an individual responsible for tending to the needs of someone with an illness or …
Like most legal contracts, living wills (also called advance directives) tend to have confusing legal jargon with something in the fine print that doesn’t work in your favor. And that’s unfortunate because planning for the worst shouldn’t be so complicated. That’s where the Five Wish document comes in – it’s simple, legally binding, and unlike …
The COVID-19 pandemic saw many people skipping doctor’s visits in exchange for quarantining themselves in their homes. This conflict between a need for care but a lack of traditional resources to provide it has led to an unexpected benefit: the ability to access health services from more and more places. These days, people can remain …
As we age, it’s natural for many of us to experience some hearing loss and we usually learn to cope with it by turning up the volume on devices such as televisions, radios, and telephones. However, if you have severe or profound hearing loss, talking on the phone presents a significant challenge, even when the …
While all birthdays are cause for celebration, some of them signify bigger milestones than others. When you have a family member that is approaching their 90th birthday, you’re likely trying to find a way to make their day extra special. After all, nine decades of memories is more than enough cause for celebration! We understand …
Moving into senior living is a big moment. It’s natural to feel emotional, but also excited about this next step. For many seniors, senior living is an opportunity to improve quality of life by cutting costs, reducing upkeep tasks and connecting with a senior community. Seniors can get the peace of mind that they’re safe …
Downsizing can sound overwhelming. Yet for seniors, it may be time to start thinking about transitioning to a simpler living arrangement. While there’s no hard limit on when seniors should downsize, often earlier is better. Let’s go through the key considerations of downsizing, including benefits, logistics, tips and how to know when it’s time. The …
Downsizing 101: Is it time for your senior to downsize? Read More »
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Martin Duggan in 2021 Note: This article is intended to be for informational purposes only. If you think your loved one is experiencing sundowning, you should schedule an appointment with his/her primary physician right away. And as always, whenever someones ability to think changes suddenly, you should …
If you’re concerned about a senior behind the wheel, it may be time for him/her to stop driving. Of course, not all seniors have trouble driving in their golden years. The ability to drive safely depends on a wide range of factors, which impact every senior differently. We’ve put together red flags for when seniors …
It takes a very special person to dedicate themselves to the care of another. And yet, caregiving is often one of the most stressful jobs, in large part due to the vital importance of the task. Selfless caregivers may feel tempted to understate their own stress levels, or to prioritize the needs of their loved …
There’s no place like home. As seniors grow old, they often want to age in place in their family home. However, keeping up a house can sometimes require more maintenance and repairs than planned. In particular, seniors are more vulnerable physically and financially, making home repairs potentially difficult to do and pay for. Luckily, seniors …
According to the AARP, caregivers – especially those who are taking care of their loved ones and are not paid for their work – are more likely to experience financial, physical or emotional difficulties because of the increased amount of stress. If you are a caregiver struggling with similar issues, support groups can offer a …
Gifts are symbolic of your care and thoughtfulness towards someone in your life. Recipients can always look back on a fond memory when they remember your gift, which is a beautiful thing to share with anyone. There are no creative limits to what you can gift someone. In this article, we will give you some …
Gifts are great ways to express your appreciation for someone, whether they are part of your family, a friend, or an acquaintance. They can brighten up someone’s day when done right. Often, the best gifts are those with the most thought put into them over presents that hold only monetary value. Typically, how much someone …