By Gary Hightower, 8:00 am on December 29, 2023

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. …

By Gary Hightower, 8:00 am on December 15, 2023

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…

By Gary Hightower, 8:00 am on November 24, 2023

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…

By Gary Hightower, 8:00 am on November 10, 2023

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…

By Gary Hightower, 8:00 am on October 27, 2023

Families need all the support they can get when they work together to help their senior loved ones age in place. In addition to neighbors and friends, families also rely on respite care to help them meet their loved ones’ needs. These five benefits of adding respite care to your family’s support network can make caring for your loved one…

By Gary Hightower, 8:00 am on October 13, 2023

Even if your home seems relatively safe, you might need to make a few changes if you’re going to have a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s living with you. As this disorder progresses, certain products and items can become very dangerous, and you need to be absolutely sure there are no threats in your home. Here’s a look at five…

By Gary Hightower, 8:00 am on September 29, 2023

While strokes can occur at any age, seniors are at increased risk for lasting side effects of stroke. If you’re a family caregiver, one way you can ensure your senior loved one has the best chance of an efficient recovery in the case of a stroke is to seek immediate medical attention. To ensure you’re able to recognize a stroke…

By Gary Hightower, 8:00 am on September 15, 2023

Since Parkinson’s is primarily thought of as a condition that affects motor skills, less visible symptoms are frequently overlooked. If you have an elderly loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD), he or she may be experiencing some of the invisible Parkinson’s symptoms, including difficulty sleeping. To ensure you’re able to recognize when Parkinson’s is affecting your loved one’s sleep, here…

By Gary Hightower, 8:00 am on August 25, 2023

Having a sense of purpose can help your elderly loved one age gracefully and enjoy a better quality of life. Here are some of the reasons it’s important for aging adults to maintain a sense of purpose. Boost Metabolism Seniors who pursue their goals can experience significant bursts of energy that keep them going. They often wake up every day…

By Gary Hightower, 8:00 am on August 11, 2023

A total hip replacement is a major surgical procedure that often becomes necessary to help a person manage arthritis. Some seniors might also need this type of surgery if they experience major injuries that cannot heal on their own. Learning as much as you can about the procedure helps you show your senior loved one how to prepare, both physically…