Maybe you're an organized person. You have all your important paperwork in order. Your living will, trusts, and health care proxy are all settled. However, you are still missing one important part of preparing for the end of life. Every legal document in the world could not make up for the personal connections you have made throughout your life. They can not make up for letting those you cherish know [...]
Moving is hard for anyone of any age. The process can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally. However, when it comes time for transitioning into an Assisted Living facility, seniors can often feel scared, sad, alone, and a slew of other emotions. Many adult children help their aging parents with this transition. For both the children and parents, this is a difficult choice and process. This move is not always [...]
We all have opinions on how we should be caring for aging parents. We tend to believe we know best. After all, they are our parents. Yet when siblings are involved, there are bound to be differences of opinions. This can lead to conflict, which ultimately makes matters even more stressful than they need to be. Knowing how to manage conflict and differing opinions between siblings can make all the [...]
There is a residential care home for the elderly in London called Nightingale House. Two hundred residents live here, making it the largest in the country. This doesn't sound like anything out of the ordinary, does it? Yet there is something very unique about Nightingale House. It is an "intergenerational" care home, meaning both children and seniors are cared for in the same facility. The idea behind this is to [...]
Much of the population is living longer than ever before. This is wonderful! However, with this statistic comes not so wonderful news too. There is a higher probability that the majority of us will get to the point where we can no longer care for ourselves. Our capacity to manage our assets, finances, and health may diminish. Knowing and preparing for old age is essential. By planning in advance, you [...]
Most of us have our yearly family traditions during the holidays. Maybe your uncle always carves the turkey at Thanksgiving. Or perhaps you and your siblings decorate the Christmas tree each year. Whatever it may be, these traditions bring us all familiarity, comfort, and joy. However, when your loved one has dementia, family gatherings during this time of year can be a little more challenging. Helping loved ones with dementia [...]
The process of avoiding identity theft for seniors needs to be taken seriously. Identity theft occurs when someone gets personal information about you. This could include social security number, bank account number, or credit card information. A little known fact is that each year, 17 million people fall victim to identity theft. Sadly, many of these are vulnerable seniors. Avoiding identity theft can feel hard and even overwhelming. Yet taking [...]
Most people want to stay in their homes as they age. A 2015 AARP survey found that nearly 90 percent of those ages 65 and older wanted this. However, simply wanting to age in place does not ultimately make it happen. Careful planning and evaluation are essential if you want to reach this goal. Furthermore, you should not want to just stay in your home as long as possible. You [...]
Most of the elderly population relies on medication or medical devices of some type. It may be syringes for insulin. Or it could be blood pressure or pain medication. In addition, medical needs change as people age. Regardless, the proper disposal of medications and medical devices that are no longer needed is essential. Drug Watch outlines the guidelines for proper medication disposal. However, it is important to note that different things [...]
If we fear something, we tend to avoid it. For the fear of falling, this can be a vicious cycle for seniors. It is no secret that falling is scary and dangerous. It can lead to serious injuries and loss of independence. Yet the more you avoid moving around and being active, the higher your risk of falling becomes. Public health experts throughout the world grapple with this paradox. However, [...]
