Adult children often experience major relationship role-changes as their parents get older. These role changes are at times uncomfortable, unfamiliar and can leave us feeling isolated and unsettled. As we come into the holidays, many of us will spend more time with family and feel the tensions that naturally come when the “closeness factor” changes. [...]
Almost twenty years ago, I finished writing “Where’s my shoes?” My Father’s Walk through Alzheimer’s . It was released in hardcover in 1999. My father observed: This Alzheimer’s must be an important subject to have such a big book about it! I had already written four books and this was the most difficult. It was [...]
I remember hearing the doctor say to my husband, “You’ve got cancer,” and immediately wondered if I had misheard those words. Cancer diagnoses can result in many emotions for caregivers. You may struggle for another breath, cry and begin to mourn for the life you had before cancer entered your lives. You may not be [...]
Lisa Genova, neuroscientist and author of Still Alice, gave a TED talk early last year in Vancouver. Her remarks began with: Let’s project out into the future, to your future “yous,” and let’s imagine that we’re all 85. Now, everyone look at [the person beside you]. One of you probably has Alzheimer’s disease. [Laughter] Alright… [...]
Starting Oct. 18, the VA will review not just current assets, but records from the previous three years when deciding a veteran’s asset-based eligibility for VA Pension benefits -- commonly called Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefits. However, transfers of assets completed before Oct. 18 will not be counted against veterans or their surviving spouses. A&A [...]
The Caregiver’s Voice features a video by Roberto Carlo Chiesa of Modesto-based Alexandria Perrin Company for VOICES with Dementia. Inspired by his sister, Roberto’s short-narrative film features Arlene, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease. (She was his late sister’s roommate who also lived with Alzheimer’s.) Actress Jenni Abbott plays Arlene’s daughter and each share words from [...]
Your confined-to-home (or assisted living or nursing home) parent, just wants to have fun! You are focused on their safety, finances, medical treatment, medications, privacy, nutrition and therapy. You busy yourself with monitoring their progress (or decline) and doing everything in your power to keep them comfortable. You worry about their reduced energy level, increasing [...]
In the last census baby boomers, those 65+, accounted for 13% of the population. This age group grew at a faster rate than the population under age 45, and it’s clear that the US is an aging population. Happily, aging is different now than it was for our parents and grandparents. Today, there are more [...]
Our aged population is increasing and only getting going to get larger. In fact, the United States’ pop1ulation of citizens over 85 years old is estimated to be over 19 million by the year 2050 . As people grow older, so does their need for assistance. Even the most capable of senior citizens can benefit [...]
Quality of life is important for health It’s not enough to just be alive. Good quality of life is especially important for older adults. Feeling satisfied and fulfilled is just as important as getting regular check-ups from the doctor. Having a positive view of life can help seniors have more energy, less stress, better appetite, [...]
