Care Management Blog

If your loved one has early dementia, you want to give them as much independence as possible, including with money management. This also means protecting them from pitfalls such as scams or overdrawn accounts. One option is to provide them with a “controlled spending” or prepaid debit card. To them, it will seem a basic…

If your parent is widowed, it’s a new world for both of you. How do you care for them in their grief and their totally new life of singlehood? And take care of your own grief, too? Widowhood often affects men and women differently in social life and daily tasks, but loneliness and disrupted routines…

If your loved one is having cataract surgery, that’s good news! It’s a common, quick outpatient procedure that can significantly improve their vision and thus their quality of life. That said, multiple steps are involved where you might need to provide support. Before surgery. Most people do one eye first, then the other weeks to…

If your loved one suddenly developed difficulty with speaking, they probably have aphasia, typically from a stroke or traumatic brain injury. Struggling with slow or garbled speech can be frustrating for everyone involved. Following the advice of speech and occupational therapists will help your relative recover their abilities faster. Meanwhile, your support is invaluable in…

When caring for a relative who has moderate to advanced memory loss, it can sometimes seem like they have disappeared into their own world. How do you create connection and support their quality of life when they seem capable of so little? Music is proving to be one good answer to this challenge. Research shows…

Choosing a nursing home for your loved one is a big decision. You want them to have excellent care, as well as safety and comfort. Nursing homes do offer 24/7 medical supervision and daily assistance, but they vary in quality. Here are some tips for conducting a search: Do some research. Online, Medicare’s Care Compare…

Eventually the time will come to recognize a loved one’s death. Do you know what kind of memorial they would like? Asking now, you might get a wave off: “I’ll be gone, so do whatever you want!” Or you might get some very specific feedback. These days, there are many possibilities. Funerals, with burials, generally…

The term “prediabetes” refers to a blood sugar level that is consistently higher than normal over time. It’s a common, symptomless condition that can lead to type 2 diabetes if not addressed. The good news: while almost 50% of older adults test into this category, research shows that few go on to develop diabetes—particularly if…

A condition that causes memory loss (dementia) is one of the most common reasons an elder can no longer live at home. To meet the need for safe housing, some assisted living facilities offer “memory units” or “memory care.” This a form of residential care specialized to meet the needs of people with cognitive impairment.…