June 18, 2018 by Dean Bellefeuille
Many Syracuse older adults are at a substantial risk for experiencing a fall, and for those who have fallen, the issue is compounded even more by the fear of falling again. Even though the initial reaction may be to decrease physical activity to lower the chance of falling again, this is, interestingly, not wise. It’s essential for seniors to use fall prevention exercises to maximize their overall muscle strength and balance, promoting confidence and enhanced overall health and wellbeing.
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May 16, 2018 by Dean Bellefeuille
Telephone cons targeted at older adults aren’t anything new, with an astounding $36 billion lost every year to financial abuse. And the most recent senior fraud scheme circulating is hard for most older adults to detect until it is too late. Center for Elder Law and Justice attorney Nicole K. Parshall explains, “There is always a new variation of a phone scam. Scammers are very good at developing new tactics in order to engage with specific types of individuals.” (more…)
May 7, 2018 by Dean Bellefeuille
The most commendable and admirable choice adult children can make is to open up their home to their aging parents. Our parents raised and took care of us when we needed assistance, so it seems like a no-brainer to reciprocate when it becomes unsafe for Mom or Dad to live alone. But there are a number of considerations to think about before becoming a family caregiver in your own home. At Home Independent Living outlines some of the key questions to think about: (more…)
March 21, 2018 by Dean Bellefeuille
For older adults, maintaining independence is a vital aspect of living life on their terms. While the physical limitations of age can make the ability to maintain independence seem challenging, in today’s digital era, it’s actually easier than ever. Technology has changed the ways in which we communicate and take care of the daily tasks of living. Additionally, technology helps seniors by allowing for innovation in home care for those who ordinarily might not have been able to manage life on their own. With the multitude of technology, apps and interactive devices available today, maintaining independence is easier than ever, allowing for more enhanced levels of connection, comfort and engagement than ever before. (more…)
March 8, 2018 by Dean Bellefeuille
Dorothy had it right when she said, “There’s no place like home,” and 90 percent of seniors agree, according to AARP. The vast majority of older adults prefer to age in place in their own homes as opposed to moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility. But as increased care is needed, how can senior independence be maintained at home? (more…)
February 16, 2018 by Dean Bellefeuille
Impacting millions of Americans, vision loss is as varied as the individuals who experience it – from simply needing to don a pair of reading glasses to browse through the morning newspaper, to total blindness. And it’s even more common in older adults, with one in every three elders over age 65 having some sort of eye disease that impacts vision, such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and others. Thankfully, much like a lot of other challenging conditions, technology continues to explode with choices to improve total well-being for anyone experiencing vision problems. Just take a glance at a few of the vision enhancement tools that are now available: (more…)
February 12, 2018 by Dean Bellefeuille
It’s a sensitive topic to go over with aging parents, but one which has to be resolved sooner rather than later: managing senior finances. Many adult children are reluctant to ask about their parents’ financial matters until there is a desperate need, but initiating the discussion ahead of the need provides ample opportunity to ensure everything is in order. (more…)
February 8, 2018 by Dean Bellefeuille
It is always best to tell the truth, right? Yet there are times when some truths are better left unsaid, or at least worded more positively, particularly when communicating with senior parents. While we may have the very best of intentions in attempting to help older adults navigate life, we can help alleviate problems with hurt feelings in our senior parents by rethinking statements such as the following: (more…)
January 18, 2018 by Dean Bellefeuille
Do you recall how hard it could be when you were young to learn the concept of sharing with your brothers and sisters? Even though the importance of thinking about others’ feelings, and also being fair, was impressed upon us early on, it can still be a hurdle to lessen sibling squabbles when it comes to complicated decisions we confront in adulthood – such as the right way to fairly divide caregiving requirements for our aging parents. (more…)
January 6, 2018 by Dean Bellefeuille
It is among the more tricky decisions we must confront in later years, and a remarkably delicate subject for adult children to initiate with their elder parents: surrendering the car keys. Driving a vehicle, while supplying an inherent sense of freedom and independence, can become significantly unsafe due to a number of conditions linked to growing older. And giving up that independence for safety’s sake can feel defeating. (more…)
