Care Management Blog

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Signature Strength: Wisdom

October 1, 2018

Each of us has strengths . . . and, well, areas that could use improvement. As a family caregiver, you may often feel inadequate. Or guilty. Or think that you aren’t doing enough. Such negative self-assessments are common. A more balanced assessment would acknowledge that you also have qualities that shine. Most of us believe…

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Does Mom have a drinking problem?

September 24, 2018

Alcohol use is on the rise among older adults. And it’s not easy to spot. Many of the signs resemble common problems of aging. And who wants to think that when Mom stumbles, for instance, it might be because of drink?! There’s a lot of shame associated with drinking, so older adults—especially older women—often hide…

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Balance exercises to prevent falls

September 17, 2018

If remaining independent is a goal for your older relative, bringing some balance to his or her life is essential—balance exercise, that is. All it takes is short but consistent focus for Mom or Dad to significantly reduce the chance of a fall. In one study, two 15-minute sessions of balance exercises over a six-month…

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An elderly person wearing a light pink sweater is lying on a beige carpeted floor, reaching for a black cane. Only the person's arm and hand are visible in the image.

Reducing the risk of falling

September 10, 2018

Has your mother fallen recently? She’s not alone! One out of four adults 65 and over experiences a fall each year. That makes falls the leading cause of injury for older adults. Falls are serious business.  A few statistics: In the U.S. an older adult dies once every 20 minutes as a result of a…

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I don’t need help” – Part 3

September 3, 2018

It’s not easy to lose abilities and admit you need help. The reluctant elder in your life is more likely to ease into acceptance if you provide good listening, compassion, and a commitment to working together. In this third installment of our series, we look at elders’ concerns around privacy and pride.   Privacy. Having…

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When you need an energy boost

August 27, 2018

When caregiver fatigue strikes, many of us reach for caffeine. Whether it’s coffee, cola, chocolate, or an “energy shot” drink, the effects are immediate. Like a reliable friend, caffeine seems to help us keep going. Pros and cons Studies have shown many benefits from caffeine. It can enhance performance. It increases productivity and elevates mood.…

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Safe traveling for older adults

August 20, 2018

If Mom or Dad has summer vacation plans, be aware that older bodies are more vulnerable to the stresses of travel. Begin with a pretrip appointment with the doctor. Suggest a meeting with the physician 4–8 weeks ahead of the vacation. Ask the doctor to assess overall health for travel. Heart and lung issues are…

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Thrifty or hoarding?

August 13, 2018

We all accumulate belongings over the years. But when is it too much? According to Michael Tompkins, PhD, author of Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding and Compulsive Acquiring, your family member may be in the early stages of hoarding if he or she keeps parts of the home off limits and…

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Opioid addiction and serious illness

August 6, 2018

Morphine, hydrocodone, fentanyl . . . with the opioid crisis in our country, it can be scary to hear that a frail or seriously ill relative needs this type of medicine. What are the risks of addiction? Fortunately, addiction is rarely an issue for individuals dealing with cancer or a painful terminal condition. Understanding addiction…

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