November 4, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
Taking the kids to soccer practice, holding down a full-time job, trying to keep up with friends, all on top of caring for an aging loved one – a family caregiver’s job is never done. Caring for a loved one, along with all your other responsibilities, can be stressful, and if we could choose one perfect gift to bestow upon family caregivers, it would be a blanket of peace to relieve the stress and replace it with a sense of calm purpose. So, in honor of National Family Caregivers Month, settle in with a warm cup of tea and enjoy these peace-inducing tips! (more…)
September 29, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
It’s perfectly normal for those impacted by Alzheimer’s to experience feelings of frustration when formerly simple tasks suddenly seem insurmountable. And it’s also natural for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s to take over these tasks to alleviate that frustration. We at At Home Independent Living, however, believe in fostering as much independence and self-worth as possible in those with Alzheimer’s, and suggest the following tips in the face of frustrations:
(more…)
September 23, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
If you’ve found yourself stepping into the world of Alzheimer’s with a senior loved one, it’s safe to say that you’ll be discovering some new challenges and changes that may leave you wondering how to best meet your loved one’s needs. Although Alzheimer’s affects each individual uniquely, the disease can be broken down in a general way into the following three stages (and, we’ve provided some care tips for each stage):
(more…)
September 17, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
In our last blog, we shared some of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease; but what you may not realize is that depression and Alzheimer’s can present very similar symptoms. For example, memory, concentration, and even motor skills can be affected by both conditions. It’s important to understand and pay close attention to the differences, and then share what you’re seeing in your senior loved one with his or her doctor.
(more…)
September 9, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
You may be noticing subtle changes in Mom’s behaviors – she’s becoming a bit more forgetful, perhaps – and you find yourself wondering: could this possibly be the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease? If this thought has crossed your mind, start by reviewing these ten basic warning signs of Alzheimer’s:
(more…)
May 27, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
We’ve been sharing a plethora of benefits, both emotional and physical, to seniors remaining social, but here’s one that may surprise you: socialization may actually reduce cognitive decline. Since some of the top concerns of aging include the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, memory loss, and other cognitive problems, it’s certainly worth looking into the potential benefits of socialization in these areas. For example: (more…)
May 18, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
It’s no surprise that seniors who stay social feel better emotionally, but do the benefits of socialization improve physical health as well? A number of studies point to just that, including the three below that offer compelling reasons to ensure your senior loved ones maintain social ties:
(more…)
May 7, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
Perhaps one of the most disturbing images we conjure up when thinking of the elderly is one of utter loneliness, spending long hours remembering the “good old days” or simply staring off into space as depression sinks in. While it’s true that aging can involve a great deal of loss – friends, loved ones, the ability to drive, perhaps some degree of mobility – it can also be a season of new relationships and discoveries. The key is in staying social and avoiding senior isolation. (more…)
March 19, 2015 by Dean Bellefeuille
Early stage Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can present with a variety of symptoms – most widely known being forgetfulness and memory loss. However, recent study findings revealed some additional indicators that may point to the onset of these diseases. (more…)
