With holiday shopping underway and Americans looking for all the right gifts, when it comes to older relatives, it’s good to step back and ask what our aging loved ones really want -- and need -- this holiday season.
It was five years ago when I wrote my first post-injury blog about my fledgling athletic pursuits -- “Showering is My New Water Sport.“
For many of us, a week does not go by without someone raising the topic of home care for an aging parent. The path to resolution is a long one. Parents are often resistant, or even in denial. Grown children are worried about safety, hygiene, driving, or having enough food in the fridge.
Few things test sibling relationships more than when the time comes to actively manage the lives of their aging parents. Irreparable damage to once-close relationships is too often the norm as brothers and sisters clash over what each believes to be best for mom and dad.
Each September, people come together from around the world for the Walk to End Alzheimer's, which raises awareness about and aims to challenge the stigma that persists around dementia.
Helping your new caregiver succeed is one of the most important roles you’ll play as you manage the home care needs of yourself or your loved ones.
Using the checklist below, be sure to go over each item from the get-go -- and periodically during the time you employ home help. Nearly all misunderstandings between a caregiver and a family can be avoided by following these 10 simple tips.
We are often so busy worrying about the cost of a caregiver’s salary that we often neglect to consider the other costs related to having someone in your home caring for a parent or elderly relative. The expenses are minor compared with the commitment you made to paying a qualified caregiver, but they need to be considered and accounted for when calculating the total financial commitment to in-home.
Providing safe transportation is one of the first challenges many families encounter when a senior chooses to age in place. Even if your aging parent can prepare meals and keep up with basic household chores, he may no longer be able to drive safely.
One of the biggest misunderstandings about hiring a home aide circles around what type of coverage you are entitled to. Get ready for the bad news.
Today many seniors prefer to stay in their own homes as long as possible, but family and friends often have concerns for their safety and well-being. Some of these issues can be resolved quickly and easily, such as adding a new railing along the front walk or modifying the shower. Others, like avoiding loneliness, will require ongoing effort.
Many families don’t realize how much a loved one’s health has deteriorated until a fall sends her to the hospital. Falls are one of the most common, and most serious, health issues among seniors. And the resulting injuries can dramatically alter a senior’s quality of life.
If you live far away and are busy juggling your own career and family, it can be difficult to care for an aging parent. Whether your parent needs help with laundry and errands a few times a week or requires daily care, you’ll want to find an experienced caregiver you can trust. Successfully managing a long-distance relationship with this person can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep and endless worrying.