Safety can be a huge concern for families and friends of seniors. People talk a lot about lowering your fall risk. Yet regardless of how much we prepare for the risk of falling, the reality is that nearly 3 million seniors are sent to the emergency room due to falls each year. Injuries, loss of independence, and even death can occur following a fall. Depending on how and where you [...]
We live in a society that values independence and autonomy. The majority of seniors wish to remain in their home as they age. That being said, many older adults will decline mentally or physically as they age, putting their safety in jeopardy. Furthermore, this will ultimately affect their ability to remain in their home long-term. Lee Lindquist, MD is a gerontologist who has seen the pattern of seniors being reluctant [...]
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 [...]
When we are young, our parents worry about us. Yet as our parents age, we begin to worry about them as well. If our parent is declining cognitively or physically, we often want them to have assistance of some kind. However, when they are still competent enough to decide, there is really not much we can do if they refuse. This can be extremely stressful for adult children. So when [...]
Our ability to see is important for almost all of our day to day tasks. How would you cope with living with vision loss? This is a real issue that many older adults will have to face. According to the National Eye Institute, the majority of people with vision impairment are seniors. Yet losing this important ability does not mean you can't enjoy your life. Furthermore, there are ways to [...]
The statistics are shocking. Falling is the number one cause of injury for seniors. One in three seniors can expect to fall every year. All too often, they result in fractures and other injuries requiring emergency medical attention and loss of independence. Death can even be an outcome of a fall. However, there are many ways you can lower your fall risk. This article from The New York Times explains the risk of [...]
Keeping dementia patients active and involved in their lives can be a challenge. Knowing how to help them maintain everyday skills can seem impossible for caregivers and families. But doing this can improve their self-esteem and help them keep a sense of dignity. There are many benefits to keeping dementia patients active and involved. For the patient, it can bring enjoyment, reduce isolation, and help them maintain some independence. And [...]
Talking to your kids about aging is not an easy task for anyone. There are plenty of articles that discuss how kids can talk to their parents about aging. But there are very few that talk about the aging parent starting the conversation. When talking to your kids about aging, there are many things to consider. This article in US News says it can be an uncomfortable topic to bring up. [...]
Using technology for seniors to age in place can help keep seniors safer. Families often feel more at ease with technology aimed at keeping the aging population safe. They know that their loved one is safer by being monitored while staying independent in their home. This USA Today reports on some technology advances that can help seniors who wish to stay at home. We use a variety of technologies with our [...]
Are your parents too old to drive? Is it unsafe for them to drive? Are you worried about the amount of accidents they are having? Are you worried that they might severely injure themselves or others? This New York Times article reports that many baby boomers, and even their parents, are still driving. The ability to continue driving later in life can foster a sense of independence that can reduce feelings [...]
