January 18, 2018 by
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…)
December 14, 2017 by
Living across the country from family makes it complicated to pay a visit to our older loved ones as often as we would like, but when the holiday season is here, families make an extra effort for time together – making it the perfect time to review a senior’s safety and wellbeing. There are many warning signs about senior safety that aren’t observed in weekly telephone conversations, emails, or even through Skype, but which often become very clear when the family gathers together for the holidays. (more…)
November 21, 2017 by
Let’s be genuine: providing care for an elderly family member is often tiring, stressful, and isolating. When caregiving requirements advance, particularly if a long-term disease such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease is at play, family care providers may feel as if they’re in over their heads, and getting through the standard elements of the daytime – showering, cooking food, running errands – can seem to be a hurdle too great to leap. Caring for the caregiver sadly often falls to the bottom of the to-do list and can lead to caregiver isolation. (more…)
November 14, 2017 by
Although we’d prefer to turn a blind eye to it, family friction happens to be common in some form for most of us, and during a time of crisis when caring for aging parents, is usually aggravated. After levels of stress are elevated, it’s common to look for a target to serve as an outlet for those emotions; and unfortunately, that target is often those we’ve shared probably the most with over a lifetime: our brothers and sisters. (more…)
September 8, 2017 by
It’s almost inconceivable – a pleasant, elderly, at times confused grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease being handcuffed and put under arrest. And yet that very scene is playing out at an alarming rate among older persons, over 100,000 of them, according to the most recent statistics – an increase of just about 30% in the past decade. This significant increase in arrests among the elderly might be in part because of the growth in the population of older adults, as well as the rise in diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. (more…)
August 21, 2017 by
Perhaps your family rivals those on Walton’s Mountain in its unconditional love, unwavering patience with one another, and determination to stick together through thick and thin. But if your family is similar to most, there’s undoubtedly some level of dysfunction, some lingering stubborn sibling rivalry, and even a little lingering competitiveness to be Mom’s and Dad’s favorite. These sorts of family conflicts can be aggravated as parents’ caregiving needs increase and family members are forced to work together, resurfacing old childhood issues. (more…)
August 7, 2017 by
Feeling safe, protected and cared for is so wonderful. Dads and moms thrive on ensuring their young children are enveloped within the comfort of knowing their needs will be satisfied, providing the safety net that permits them the self-confidence to explore the world about them. Yet there comes a phase in all children’s lives when the craving for self-sufficiency outweighs the benefit of protection, and they have to discover firsthand what it means to stumble, fall and get back up again by themselves. (more…)
July 24, 2017 by
For those providing care for a senior struggling with the effects of dementia, a variety of complex behaviors must be very carefully managed, but perhaps the most challenging include hallucinations, illusions, and suspicions that other individuals are out to cause him problems or ill will. Mistaken impressions such as these take place most often in the late stages of progressive dementia as a result of changes within the brain. It’s essential to first understand the reason behind these emotions and actions, and to deal with the root cause. (more…)
July 11, 2017 by
Like they say, there’s no place like home; but what do you do when a senior with dementia insists on going home – when he/she currently IS home? Regrettably, when caring for an elderly person with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, this is an all too common dilemma. And the confusion and plaintive yearning being expressed are simply heartbreaking – and, if we are truthful, aggravating. (more…)
June 20, 2017 by
The life of an Alzheimer’s caregiver is often complicated. In our previous blog, we discussed how to help determine when it’s time for a senior with Alzheimer’s to stop driving, and that is just one of the big decisions that Alzheimer’s caregivers have to make when it comes to making sure their loved ones are safe and healthy. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it’s common for family caregivers to want to take over and do everything for their senior loved one to ensure that he or she is as comfortable as possible. However, while this seems easier and more loving, it’s still very important to help the senior maintain his or her sense of dignity and independence. Try some of these Alzheimer’s care tips to provide assistance instead, maximizing independence and sense of self-worth: (more…)