Care Management Blog

If you are caring for a relative with serious health problems, you are probably in unfamiliar territory. For most of us, the shaky feelings of uncertainty are very unpleasant. We feel vulnerable outside our comfort zone. We worry we will do something wrong. According to noted researcher Dr. Brené Brown, to protect ourselves we often…

Inflammation is the way the immune system attacks bacteria, viruses, and any perceived foreign agent in the body. It’s crucial when we need it! Think of inflammation as sending soldiers onto a battlefield. You need to fight the invaders, but also clean up afterward so life can get back to normal. As we age, our…

While older adults make up roughly 17% of the population, they constitute 22% of deaths by suicide. There are many reasons older adults might lean toward death: Poor health, chronic pain, loss of a spouse, loneliness, departure from working life, loss of independence, cognitive impairment.  Warning signs. Any mention of wanting to die should be…

The original idea of “assisted living” was to give generally healthy elders a social option to offset the isolation of living alone. They were not intended to be medical facilities. But things have changed in the 40 years since inception! Now, 41% of residents have dementia or moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment. One out of ten has…

We all need hope. It motivates us to get up in the morning and get going on the day. It makes our burdens less tiring. It’s even been documented to reduce anxiety and depression while improving health and quality of life. Hope is not a blind conviction that everything will be okay. Hope involves a…

As a family caregiver, you have probably thought a lot about your loved one’s safety. Perhaps you have even purchased a wearable call button for medical emergencies. But what if something happens to you? For instance, a car accident on the freeway? Or a trip-and-fall incident in a parking lot? How will emergency responders know…

If the person you care for has generally good balance and needs just minimal support for getting around, a rollator (walker with wheels and brakes) might be preferable to a standard walker. Rollators enable a more normal, fluid stride. The features to consider start with size, weight, and foldability. If the rollator will be used…

The ability to handle one’s own financial affairs is critical to adult independence. Low vision challenges this freedom. Fortunately, most banks are prepared to assist clients, whether banking online or in person. Online, your loved one can adjust the bank’s website for large print. Plus, many banks provide instructions on how to use a screen…

Has your loved one ever flatly rejected your perfectly sensible solution to their problem? Though your idea may seem like the obvious route to take, it’s not so simple when you’re caring for an older adult. Your relative has had a lifetime of making decisions on their own. They usually want to continue doing so.…