Care Management Blog

A woman wearing glasses and a light blue shirt is looking down with a distressed expression. She has her right hand on her forehead, indicating she might be worried or deep in thought. The background is blurred.

When the worrying won’t stop

April 8, 2019

Worry is useful when it calls us to action. But it’s a problem when it becomes an ongoing state of mind. It can become a habit, bringing tension and stress. If you’re a worrier, you may have mixed feelings. It may seem that worry keeps you on your toes, yet it makes you edgy and…

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A pencil with a purple barrel and an eraser is erasing the word "pain" written in bold black letters on white paper. The eraser has partially removed the letter "p," leaving eraser shavings scattered around.

Managing chronic pain

April 1, 2019

“Chronic pain” is pain that lasts for 12 weeks or more. The cause is usually nervous system misfiring, like a faulty car alarm system. Often there is no specific trigger, which makes treatment difficult. Chronic pain is common, affecting 50%–66% of adults age 50 and older. Opioid drugs are recommended for pain control in serious…

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An elderly man with glasses is smiling and sitting in the driver's seat of a car, holding the steering wheel. He is wearing a light-colored shirt and a gray sweater. The background outside the car window shows greenery.

Dementia: safety and independence

March 25, 2019

Everyone with a memory loss condition deserves the opportunity to stay engaged in life for as long as possible. Early in the disease, your loved one will continue to do many things quite well. Your challenge is to balance respect for your relative’s independence with the need to ensure safety. All this while preserving a…

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Three smartwatches are displayed side by side. The left one is green showing a music player, the middle one is blue showing various app icons, and the right one is red displaying a heart and heartbeat monitor. All watches have square screens and colored bands.

Smartwatches for seniors

March 18, 2019

The makers of smartwatches are now designing products for older adults. And they just may have come up with an acceptable alternative to the standard “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” pendant. Perhaps you’ve tried to get your loved one to wear a personal emergency response system (PERS) pendant—only to hear, “No. I don’t…

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A stethoscope with a purple tube rests on a white computer keyboard. The stethoscope's metal chest piece is in focus, highlighting the juxtaposition of medical and technological elements. The background is blurred, drawing attention to the stethoscope and keyboard.

Researching treatments online

March 11, 2019

For those facing a serious—or even incurable—condition, the Internet can seem to be the last refuge of hope. But how can you distinguish a trustworthy website from that of a huckster? “Follow the money” is an important key for deciding if a website is truly unbiased. Start by asking yourself who, what, and why. Who:…

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Illustration of a modern L-shaped kitchen featuring light wood upper cabinets, white lower cabinets, an oven, a stovetop, a sink, and an empty countertop. The design includes metallic handles on cabinets and drawers, with a clean and minimalist aesthetic.

Age-friendly kitchen

March 4, 2019

Aging creates so many “new normals.” Even routine activities such as cooking may become challenging for your loved one. Balance issues can make reaching, bending, or lifting a problem. Arthritis often makes it difficult to maneuver pans and tools, turn on a faucet, or twist off lids. Extreme fatigue may sap overall motivation. And problems…

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Two pairs of colorful shoes on a textured ground. The top pair is pink with white toe caps, and lace-up fronts. The bottom pair is green with pink toe caps, and lace-up fronts. They are separated by a white line on the pavement.

Setting Limits Nicely

February 25, 2019

Many of us were raised to believe that the only polite or kind answer is “yes.” But as Dr. Christine Carter, a UC Berkeley researcher, notes, “If you find yourself saying ‘yes’ when you mean ‘no,’ it’s a recipe for overwhelm and exhaustion.” Not to mention resentment, burnout, and ill health! Ironically, research shows that…

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An elderly woman with short white hair is sitting indoors by a window with lush greenery outside. She is resting her head on her hand, eyes closed, appearing to be asleep. She is wearing a patterned dark-colored top.

Conserving Energy

February 18, 2019

People with congestive heart failure (CHF) often tire easily, especially if they exert themselves. In CHF, the heart is swollen with fluids and cannot beat efficiently. The body’s cells then become hungry for oxygen. If your loved one has CHF, you witness this in his or her fatigue, shortness of breath, and frequent naps. Even…

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A woman with shoulder-length brown hair looks distressed with her hand near her face. She is wearing a light blue top against a blurred, light-colored background.

Embarrassing Behaviors

February 11, 2019

What do you do when sweet Mom starts cursing angrily? When straitlaced Dad makes off-color remarks? In persons with dementia, these behaviors are not on purpose. They are caused by the brain changes of the disease. If you can’t find humor in the situation, draw on your patience. Believe it or not, your relative is doing…

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