Caregiving can cause major changes in a family. Physical, emotional, social and financial issues can arise, affecting the roles, responsibilities and feelings of each family member. Such widespread change to the family dynamic can lead to increased tension and frequent disagreements. The constant friction can be frustrating, but learning what goes into healthy, two-way communication [...]
Your aging parent may be keeping secrets from you. Not necessarily lies, but withholding of information that may be important to their health, safety or general well-being. Sometimes, when elderly parents keep secrets, its because they feel their Independence slipping away. They might be embarrassed to ask for help. They might fear their family's reaction. [...]
The responsibility of providing care for an aging or ill loved one is a challenge in its own right. But when a care recipient is domineering about how and when every single task is done, it’s bound to exasperate those who are in charge of their daily care. Maybe Mom demands that you keep her [...]
There is a lot of pressure on people to enjoy themselves during the holidays. The reality, however, is that many people feel increasingly isolated and unhappy during this season of goodwill, and elders can have an especially hard time. While aging can bring wisdom and experience, there are inevitable losses that even the healthiest seniors [...]
“I just can’t get the checkbook to balance this month.” Those words were my first inkling that Mom might not be as sharp as she once was. I was taken by surprise. She had managed her own finances with aplomb for many years, and all I provided was a little coaching. She remembered all of [...]
The holiday season is a happy and joyous time for most of us, but many seniors find this time of year to be hectic, confusing and even depressing, depending on their mental and physical conditions. The good news is that everyone can help contribute to a happier season for the seniors in our lives by [...]
Imagine trying to have a conversation and constantly having to ask your companions to repeat themselves; or not being able to participate in a group discussion in the common room because the TV is on and six people are chatting around you. Sadly, this is the harsh reality of many seniors. According to the Hearing [...]
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 [...]
