Spending time with a senior loved one makes the day brighter for both of you, and you can also use your visits to take the opportunity to check on his or her wellbeing. Older adults may not always tell you they’re having difficulty living on their own. Some seniors worry about being a burden, and others might not even realize…
Having a dog in the home can boost your senior loved one’s mood and activity level. A dog may also ward off intruders. The animal’s love can dispel loneliness, anxiety, depression, and stress. Even when another person performs pet care, a senior can reap these benefits. Before adopting a dog, families should consider their loved ones’ health conditions to see if…
Aging adults are at higher risk for experiencing loneliness compared to other age groups. However, this doesn’t have to be the case for your senior loved one. Here are some fun ways for your loved one to socialize and reduce the risk of loneliness. 1. Visit Regularly Visiting your loved one in person gives you the chance to see what’s…
Technology can provide an excellent way for seniors to connect with others, explore new ideas, and even get the healthcare they need. However, many seniors face difficulty with the idea of using technology. Understanding the challenges seniors face can help you find ways to help your aging loved one overcome these difficulties. 1. Limited Dexterity Due to arthritis, Parkinson’s disease,…
Yoga is an all-natural way to relieve the joint pain and stiffness associated with arthritis in older adults. It’s a safe alternative to medication, and it’s better for the joints than weight-bearing exercises. Here are a few of the best poses to begin with. Mountain Pose The mountain pose has been proven to effectively relieve arthritis pain in the knees.…
It can be a challenge for seniors to admit they need assistance, and it can be even more difficult to help them adjust to the idea of in-home care. Some seniors aren’t open to the thought of strangers coming into their homes and assisting with personal tasks. If you take time to speak together about caregiving options, you can help…
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating neurological disorder that could affect more than a million Americans by 2030, according to a Parkinson’s Foundation study. But it’s not always possible to prevent this progressive condition from developing because of the many factors involved. That being said, there are steps that can be taken to lower Parkinson’s risk in the senior years. …
Your senior loved one’s sudden outbursts of anger may leave you reeling from stress. As a family caregiver, you may sometimes feel as though you didn’t sign up for yelling or physical aggression. Anger may be especially troubling when your loved one was never like this before receiving a dementia diagnosis. Seniors with dementia do sometimes exhibit outbursts of anger…
Having a support network is critical for preventing caregiver stress, but what happens when you and the other members of your aging parent’s caregiving team are experiencing conflict regarding his or her care? As frustrating as it can be to experience additional stress, it’s important to know that many common conflicts are easy to manage with some careful planning. Scheduling…
Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been battling hospital readmissions by penalizing hospitals with high rates while reporting their data to the public. While these efforts have shown some success, the high rates of hospital readmissions after surgery still continue. As medical teams work to properly assess patients and develop effective discharge instructions, there are many things…