How much extra time do you have on your hands? If you are like many family caregivers, carving out sufficient time to fulfill each day’s basic requirements may be hard enough. The thought of having regular intervals of downtime might seem unattainable.
We all want to leave the world a little better than we found it. One significant way to accomplish this is by creating a legacy for the generations that follow. A person’s legacy becomes a timeless treasure, influencing the decisions of their children and grandchildren, who build onto that legacy and reach countless others in years to come.
Receiving a diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s disease (also known as ALS) can cause plenty of questions and apprehensions, both for the individual diagnosed and their loved ones. What causes ALS? What symptoms might be expected in each stage of ALS? Where am I able to go for support?
If your siblings won’t help with caring for parents and you’re finding yourself trying to manage everything alone, you’re in good company. In fact, 50% of all family caregivers are caring for an aging loved one alone, according to a recently available report from AARP.
COVID-19 cases in nursing facilities and assisted living facilities were devastating, as the virus spread like wildfire throughout our most vulnerable population in such close quarters. Because of this, many families made a decision to move their elderly parents home, which raised a number of challenges to be overcome.
Family caregiver stress is inescapable, and in reality, not necessarily always a bad thing. Basically, as they say, “A diamond is just a piece of charcoal that handled stress exceptionally well.” Yet especially for family caregivers, the level of stress can rapidly escalate and become overwhelming, and if not handled effectively, result in serious health concerns.
Family caregivers give a tremendous amount of themselves to take care of their loved ones, frequently giving up their own desires and needs along the way. It may seem normal, then, to presume that caregivers would feel great about themselves, with a high level of self-esteem and sense of purpose.
It’s intuitive to most of us that interacting with others improves health and wellbeing. It keeps us connected to other people’s experiences, beliefs, struggles, humor, points of views, and various other human occurrences. However, now scientific studies are determining that socializing with others, and most notably seniors socializing with others, actually may boost the wellness of both mind and body.
Most elderly want to remain home, to age in place. Now, amid Covid-19, staying home has become imperative. Untold seniors have survived this pandemic as a result of remaining sheltered in their own homes. The safest place. With the world highlighting the focus on safety for our most vulnerable population, it’s an ideal time … Read more
As Jane Austen once said, “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” And for anyone with a chronic condition, like multiple sclerosis (MS), remaining as comfortable as possible and as safe as possible, is essential.
It’s clearly no secret that a healthy diet is essential for a healthy body. What many people misunderstand, however, is that the nutritional needs for adults adjust as we age. Nutritional professionals at Tufts University have introduced the MyPlate system, which is a more advanced version of the former food pyramid, providing up-to-date dietary guidelines for seniors in particular.
A mother’s love for her children has no limitations. And above all else, parents of all ages wish to safeguard their children from concerns, which in some cases may mean masking their own worries. In addition to that, when family members are separated by distance, it can be difficult to really know for certain how healthy older parents are.
The holidays can be packed with a whirlwind of activities for the seniors we love, with family gatherings, holiday parties, religious services and events, picking out the perfect gifts for those they love. Yet after the holiday ornaments are packed away and family members have gotten back to the daily busyness of life, many older adults are impacted by a frequent but little-discussed condition: post-holiday senior loneliness.
While older adults who live alone are most at risk of feelings of seclusion and sadness when the holiday activities are complete, all older individuals are in danger of a case of the post-holiday blues, as they look to the approaching year while reminiscing over years past. It’s crucial for family members to formulate a plan to help their older loved ones experience a positive transition. Take into consideration the following recommendations:
You’re concerned that Dad may need some assistance at home, and so naturally, you know exactly where to turn for assistance, right? No? Relax – you’re not alone. Millions of Americans are faced with the same predicament, and most people don’t know much about home care services until the need for care develops.
Medicines can both improve and save lives, but there is a concealed hazard that can produce dire consequences — the threat of medication non-adherence.
With more than 10,000 prescription drugs available in the United States, it’s no wonder that so many older adults – about one in three – are taking a minimum of five of them every day. And family caregivers know firsthand the difficulty of handling these medications for seniors. The truth is, studies show that approximately 55% of prescription drugs are being taken incorrectly for a number of reasons, and the results can be extremely dangerous.
Do you have an older loved one resisting the reality that he or she is in need of some extra help at home? One of the greatest reservations we have as we grow older is the loss of control and the ability to reside at home alone. Because of this fear, it may be very … Read more
Getting used to the idea that a senior you love requires assistance at home can be challenging. Even more challenging is talking about the need for a caregiver for elderly parents and getting them to agree that help is needed. If you have spotted changes in a loved one and you’re sensing the need to initiate a conversation about home care as a solution to ensure safety and independence in the home, try some of these conversation starters about a caregiver to broach the subject in a subtle, non-confrontational way.
Perhaps one of the most honorable decisions adult children can make is to open their home to an elderly parent. Our parents raised us when we were children, so it’s natural to reciprocate when it becomes less safe for Mom or Dad to live on their own. Yet there are a number of issues to … Read more
When we were kids, we were taught to share our toys as well as our parents’ attention, and those same feelings tend to carry with us well into our adult years. As remarkable as it is to have siblings, there also are times it can cause increased stress levels, such as when caring for aging … Read more
Although of course abusing a senior is something that would never cross the mind of most people, it is a tragically typical occurrence in the U.S. Elder abuse happens in many variations, from physical to emotional, and it impacts the most frail and vulnerable among us.
More common in men, and more frequently diagnosed than muscular dystrophy, ALS and MS combined, Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed in approximately 7 – 10 million people around the world, with an additional 600,000 people in America diagnosed each and every year. And while each person’s encounter with Parkinson’s differs in level of severity, there are five main stages of advancement that are routinely experienced by all.
In the midst of the myriad of life changes after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), intimate relationships are affected in a number of ways as a result of: Adjustments in responsibilities Adjustments in relationship roles Problems with communicating Managing emotions and mood swings Becoming used to these changes often brings about feelings of uncertainty in … Read more
A Medical Power of Attorney form allows a person (“principal”) to elect someone else (“agent”) to handle health care decisions on their behalf only if they are unable to do so themselves. Situations that may require this could include any type of incapacitating events such as a coma or mental condition that impairs the “principal” … Read more
No one is too young or too old to get started on making their healthcare wishes clear, and getting their legal and financial house in order. The Age Your Way blueprint provides a structured format for recording vital information and documenting wishes. Download the Medical Demographics form from The Blueprint to Age Your Way Visit … Read more
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was put in place to ensure the privacy of your medical records. This HIPAA release form allows an appointed person or party to share specific health information with another person or group. This includes doctors, hospitals, health care providers, or other entities such as an attorney. Download the … Read more
You have a right to make decisions about your medical treatment. There are times in injury and illness, however, when you become unable to speak for yourself. The Directive to Physicians is an important legal document that allows you to communicate your wishes regarding medical treatment. It covers end-of-life treatment options and communicates to doctors … Read more
Same people. More Services. New name. Nurses Case Management is now CareFor. Watch the video to learn more about our Georgetown home care agency and the surrounding areas we serve. Contact us online or call us at (512) 338-4533 to learn more about our in-home care and care management services. https://carefor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/brand-launch-debbie.mp4