In honor of Veterans Day, November 11th, we’ve dedicated this month’s blog posts to our country’s veterans.   We’ll try to provide context for the common challenges faced by our veterans in order to better provide support, where possible. If we are not veterans ourselves, many of us have the desire to express our gratitude and […]

If they ever submitted a bill for service, it would come to over $450 billion. That's how much work is contributed every year by the nation's unpaid health caretakers. On any given day, almost 66 million Americans are providing informal health care to ill, aged or disabled patients. Usually it's for a family member, and […]

The health profession defines caretaker’s stress syndrome as a debilitating condition brought on by unrelieved, constant caring for a person with a chronic illness or dementia. It is beginning to be recognized as a serious health issue, but it is still rarely discussed. The medical profession has only recently become aware of the toll that […]

We all know that lifestyles can have a serious impact on a person’s health. If most of us had to guess, we would probably name smoking as the greatest health hazard, with excessive drinking and/or obesity coming in second. We would be wrong. Or at least we would be wrong if we talking about the […]

Alaska has always enjoyed a youthful population. It’s partly our young military but beyond even that, our state has always attracted laborers and adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts who tend to be starting out in life--in their twenties and thirties. But along with the rest of the country, even Alaska is getting older. We know how […]

Children may have grown up and moved away. Even when they live nearby, they are involved with their own families and their own careers. Spouses pass away, friends move south and their circle closes while darkness and isolation set in. Especially here in Alaska, our harsh weather combines with diminishing social options and frailty to […]

Winter is upon us in Alaska and with the hustle and bustle throughout the holidays, we have some added concerns and precautions for our clients. If you share your home with or care for an elderly or disabled loved one, preventing falls is a top priority. Falls account for 25% of all elderly hospital admission […]

One thing is certain; your parents won’t likely be the ones who tell you they need help. Aging seniors have a strong desire to remain independent and in control of their own lives for as long as possible. Typically the aging senior will experience a traumatic event or wakeup call that leads to the realization […]

You may be hesitant to start communicating with your loved one about their need of care. This becomes even more difficult when you suspect you will be met with resistance. They may feel it’s a sign of weakness to accept help or be worried about associated costs. Your loved one may be feeling frightened, vulnerable, […]

Baby boomers underestimate the cost of long-term care, according to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive for Nationwide Financial Services. Boomers surveyed estimate their long-term care costs to be $78,923 but the company projects that the cost of nursing-home care in 2030, the year the last boomers are expected to retire, will reach $265,000 […]