At times, nursing homes can be sad, isolating, and lonely for seniors. Between the loss of independence and loss of capacity to care for yourself, depression can set in. Luckily, in northwest Arkansas there is a gem of a child named Ruby Chitsey. Ruby enjoys going to work with her mom at a local nursing home. This may not seem like anything special. But what she does is nothing short [...]
If your aging loved one is doing well, it's easy to put off planning for the future. Especially if they are in good health and able to care for themselves still. Yet waiting for a crisis to strike is never a good idea. Think of how you treat your car. It may not have squeaky breaks or leaking oil. But you probably still take it in for regular maintenance. Not [...]
Are you thinking of long-term care or a senior living community? Whether it's for you or your loved one, it can be a little confusing. There are so many types. Each offer different kinds of amenities and services. Knowing you or your loved one's specific needs is the first step. Learning the basics of senior care communities will inform your life choices as you age. This Next Avenue article helps [...]
A lot of us think of our parents as capable and strong. We think of them as they once were when we were young. There are thousands of books, websites, and articles on helping your aging parents. But there are far fewer resources available to help you through the variety of emotions you're bound to experience as your parents age. As their health declines, baby boomers watch their parents and [...]
Statistics show that nearly 90 percent of seniors wish to age in their own home. But sometimes, the features in their homes are not ideal. Homes are typically built with the younger generation's needs in mind. Therefore, certain features that most take for granted can pose serious risks to the safety of aging individuals. Home modifications for seniors is something that is important to consider. If you wish to remain [...]
Who wouldn't love to know that in retirement, they will have a guaranteed income for life? After all, you would not have to worry about running out of money. In addition, the ups and downs of the stock market would be less stressful. Research has even found that retirees with a reliable source of income, like Social Security or pension, are happier than those without. But what if you don't [...]
There's no question that exercise is a healthy habit. In addition, most can agree that you will feel better when eating a healthy diet. Yet many don't realize that these habits can actually aid in protecting aging brains. As we age, our brain functions decline. Regardless of whether someone has dementia, memory and other cognitive functions may suffer. However, new clinical trials have shown significant differences in the aging brain [...]
When we hear the term "estate planning". Many of us think of getting our wills, trusts, and other documents in order. However, there is so much more to it than that. A huge part of helping your aging parents with estate planning is going through their possessions and downsizing. This can be a wonderful opportunity to preserve and understand parts of their lives that you may have never known about. [...]
What do you think of when you hear the term "successful aging"? Personally, I think of my father. At the age of 91, he is out gardening in the backyard, cooking meals, and fixing things in his workshop. Yet for others, it may simply mean enjoying time with family or having hobbies you enjoy. Whatever the case may be, there are many factors to consider when defining successful aging. While [...]
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 [...]
