If you are caring for a senior, there are many things you should know. One of the first things you should know is how to recognize if they need extra help. Many seniors need extra help but they don’t want to ask for it. They are too prideful, too shy, or they just don’t like to ask for help for any number of other reasons. If you can recognize the signs that the senior citizen in your life needs extra...
Your mom and dad want to eat healthier, but they don't know where to start. They're not alone. People don't always understand how food labels can help them make better choices at the grocery store. It's not the only way to pick more nutritious items, but food labels are a good way to start. Three Things to Read Carefully on Labels Knowing what your parents should be limiting each day is an important step to using food labels. Older adults...
As the temperatures creep up higher and higher, your senior is at a greater risk of developing heat-related illnesses. While these illnesses are dangerous, especially in light of health issues she may already have, you might be able to help your elderly family member to prevent some of these issues from becoming a problem for her. Encourage Her to Drink More Fluids Even if your elderly family member isn’t more active during the hotter months of the year, her body...
Driving can be a big argument between caregivers and aging adults. You just want your senior to be safe, but she’s convinced that you’re trying to ground her. What might work is a compromise, but there have to be some guidelines in this compromise. Consider a few of these requirements in order to keep your elderly family member behind the wheel. Get Hearing and Vision Checkups If your elderly family member is having trouble with her hearing and her vision,...
For most of your life your senior has probably been in much better shape than she is right now. It can be really difficult for you to come to terms with that fact. The closer you can get to acceptance, the better for both your senior and for you. Do What You Can to Remain as Positive as Possible Positivity is going to help you so much as a caregiver. This isn’t to say that you’re going to have to...
It’s no secret that obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. It’s a health problem that affects people of all ages, including older adults. Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for a whole host of health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, some kinds of cancer, and mobility problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is even a risk factor for “all causes of death.” Because of its seriousness, scientists are...
Multiple studies have found that there are several health benefits of owning a pet. Studies find pet ownership can reduce blood pressure and pulse rate. Higher levels of hormones associated with happiness are found in people who spend half an hour playing and interacting with a dog. People with pets as children are less likely to experience allergies to pet dander. People with Alzheimer's disease are less likely to remain agitated or anxious when a therapy dog is present. When...
A tipping point in any situation is that time when the situation changes dramatically. In caregiving, there are several types of tipping points that you might encounter. Knowing that there can be a solution after that is the important part. Your Elder Is Experiencing Multiple Falls Falling is a huge problem for aging family members. Once your senior experiences one fall, she’s far more likely to experience another. If she’s having multiple falls that could mean that she’s got some...
Your parents want to stay in their home. You worry about them. They're not close to a hospital or city services. You're not close by. You worry about them being isolated and lonely. Here are some stories from seniors who insist that aging at home is the best choice. A Familiar Home Eased Wandering After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, not much changed for Mack. He had his dog, neighbors he knew, and roads that were familiar. As his dementia progressed,...
Do you really know what respite care is and what it can do to help your family? Some people mistake respite care with hospice. When caregivers come to the place your parents live and provide home care while you take a break, that's respite care. Families often talk about elderly care plans and when it's going to be time for home care. Some focus on family caregiving and try to avoid the cost of home care. One thing should never...
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