March 12, 2024 by Dean Bellefeuille
It’s easy for family caregivers to feel alone. When you’re caring for someone else, remembering to care for yourself can be difficult. A recent listening session, however, allowed family caregivers to speak openly and honestly about what they need – and the results may surprise you. Here are some of the key findings and insights gleaned from these sessions. (more…)
January 23, 2024 by Dean Bellefeuille
Everyone understands the feeling of trying every trick in the book to get to sleep after a long day. As we age, it can be even more difficult to get enough sleep. Older adults may experience changes in their sleep architecture, including lighter sleep, more frequent awakenings, and a shift towards earlier bedtimes. Yet maintaining healthy sleep patterns is vitally important for cognitive function, emotional health, and physical vitality. (more…)
January 16, 2024 by Dean Bellefeuille
When we reach our senior years, we have spent decades investing in relationships with family and friends. These bonds are crucial to our quality of life, and when they are severed, it inevitably leads to feelings of deep loss. (more…)
December 18, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Caring for a loved one is often an all-consuming role. It requires so much of your time, focus, and energy that when caregiving ends, for any reason, it can leave you feeling lost. Other common feelings to expect when you are no longer serving as caregiver for a loved one include: (more…)
December 13, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
The countdown is on to the new year, which means only one thing: deciding on a resolution that you’ll actually be motivated to keep. How about setting a goal that will help older adults improve health and happiness while simultaneously improving your own?
A regular exercise routine is crucial for all of us, but not always easy to start or maintain. One great way to stay motivated is to find an accountability partner and encourage each other. If you’re providing care for an older family member, you have the perfect opportunity to help each other become more physically fit! But it’s important to first know how much and what types of exercise are best for seniors. (more…)
November 21, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
What’s at the top of your wish list this holiday season? An end to world hunger? A new home? Good health for your loved ones? What if you could eliminate stress and simply take pleasure in the holiday season? What a gift that would be! (more…)
October 23, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
What was going through your head when you put on your clothes this morning? Staying comfy? Looking stylish? A special piece attached to a sweet memory? The clothes we wear are an integral part of our identity, and the simple act of choosing what to wear and being able to put it on is crucial to our independence. When the effects of growing older or a health condition like arthritis make it difficult to self-dress, adaptive clothing is a wonderful way to maintain self-sufficiency. (more…)
October 16, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Married couples promise an undying love for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. When you first speak these words at the altar, it’s hard to imagine how it will feel to actually live them out. It may come as a surprise to you that anger, frustration, and resentment can go hand-in-hand with fulfilling your vows when caregiving for your spouse. (more…)
July 19, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Everyone remembers “the talk” with their parents. How could you forget? If you thought that was uncomfortable, brace yourself for “the talk” with an older parent about concerns you’re noticing and the need for care at home! Discussing home care options with your parents can be a tough conversation for many reasons: (more…)
March 14, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
What exactly is it that gets you up out of bed each and every morning? If you are a member of the sandwich generation, caring for both older and younger loved ones, your list is likely quite extensive! As the nest empties, however, it becomes important to redefine our identity and discover new ways to bring meaning to each and every day. In fact, the benefits of purpose for seniors are even more far-reaching than we once believed. (more…)