According to the National Sleep Foundation, up to 24 percent of people over the age of 65 are receiving treatment for four or more health conditions. Statistics also indicate elderly people living with multiple chronic conditions have a greater chance of experiencing sleep deprivation. Family caregivers are intimately familiar with their aging loved ones’ medical conditions as well as the…
When you accompany your senior loved one to the doctor’s office for an appointment, it’s important to be prepared with questions ahead of time. This can help your loved one receive comprehensive care. Ask the following questions during a doctor’s visit. 1. What Changes Should I Watch For? It’s common for seniors to experience physical and mental changes as they…
As your senior parent gets older, it’s natural to become concerned about his or her health and ability to manage daily activities and responsibilities independently. When a senior becomes diagnosed with an illness or has decreasing mental awareness, it can be difficult for him or her to pay the bills on time and manage money appropriately. Although your parent may…
The news is filled with reports about which foods seniors should and shouldn’t eat. Yet sometimes research reveals they were wrong all along. These foods were once considered bad, but it’s now understood they actually hold some significant benefits for senior health. 1. Fats It was once thought anything with fat was automatically bad, which led to the fat-free craze…
If your senior loved one has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, learning everything you can about this common form of dementia is critical. Discovering the truth behind common Alzheimer’s myths can help you understand the disease better and ensure the right care is provided. Alzheimer’s Is a Normal Part of Aging Occasionally forgetting things is a normal part…
Some seniors become lax about essential health screenings for a variety of reasons, and sometimes it’s because they simply don’t want to get them. If you’re a family caregiver for a senior loved one, it’s crucial to ensure he or she is routinely checked for certain health issues, including the following. Cholesterol There are many benefits to routinely checking cholesterol,…
Social security benefits can be helpful, but they often don’t provide the amount of money seniors need to sustain them throughout retirement, which can lead to difficulty paying their bills or affording the groceries they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few ways seniors can generate some extra income. Care for Children Older adults in good…
Adults of all ages commonly lose and gain weight throughout their lives. However, statistics indicate up to 20 percent of seniors experience a dramatic weight loss over a short time. A variety of health issues could cause this problem. Determining and treating the underlying cause are necessary to restore the senior’s health. 1. Oral Problems Older adults may lose a…
Everybody needs a little extra support and assistance now and then. While you may be able to fill this role to some extent as your aging loved one’s caregiver, it can also be helpful for your loved one to connect with other individuals going through similar experiences. This is the basic purpose of a support group. Here are some of…
Seniors who have had chickenpox in the past are at risk for developing shingles. Although this condition can develop at any age, those who are over 60 are more likely to have the virus reactivate. Shingles creates painful blisters that may itch, burn, and break open. These tips can help you keep your senior loved one comfortable until the virus…