Think about the most ideal holiday season you can envision. While that image may vary a little for every one of us, it might include gifts, lights, good food, and traditions passed down through the generations. However, what most certainly holds true for all of us is the enjoyment in spending time with the people […]
If you or a loved one are considering using a humidifier to treat COPD symptoms in seniors, it is important to learn about the risks and common safety precautions of using a humidifier. Air that is too dry, for example, may cause or exacerbate health problems such as: Itchy, dry, or chapped skin Nose bleeds […]
Family care providers give so much of themselves to attend to their loved ones, often surrendering their own desires and needs in the process. It seems normal to assume then that caretakers would feel good about themselves, rich in self-esteem and sense of purpose. However, the opposite is often true, with many people experiencing family […]
You altogether forgot about the physician's appointment scheduled for last Thursday, misplaced your reading glasses for the umpteenth time, and can’t remember the name of your new neighbor for the life of you. Are senior forgetfulness and problems with memory normal? Or could it be the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia? […]
With many aging parents taking multiple prescriptions, and with physicians adding and changing medications and dosages to discover ideal solutions, it is crucial to know how to properly dispose of medication safely once it is expired or no longer needed. There are several medication disposal options: Check labels. The medication's label or informational literature might […]
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia requires empathy, creativity, and patience, being able to step away from your own reasoning and logic and understand why a certain behavior is happening, and then to understand exactly how to successfully manage it. Refusal to change clothes and dementia can sometimes go hand […]
Looking back at the past several months, family caregivers have had to face seemingly insurmountable challenges connected with the care of the senior family members they love. With COVID-19’s specific dangers to the elderly and those diagnosed with underlying health conditions, such as COPD, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and others which can be common in the […]
Disbelief. Shame. Awkwardness. Discomfort. Each one of these feelings can cycle through a family caregiver’s mind when a senior with dementia showcases disinhibited behaviors, such as: Rude or tactless comments Inappropriate sexual remarks or advances Removal of clothes at improper times Other socially unacceptable actions The complicated changes that occur to the brain in Alzheimer's disease […]
While circus clowns and comedians may stir audiences to laughter over such stunts as slipping on a banana peel, there is nothing funny about falling when it comes to the elderly, who are at an elevated risk for serious injuries which could bring about a lengthy rehabilitation process. Not only that, but there’s a lesser […]
The COVID-19 pandemic put our world on pause, including, among a great number of other activities, medical appointments and procedures. In fact, approximately one-half of all adults either canceled or put off routine medical care and elective procedures since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, leading physicians to grow concerned about the effects. While we […]
