When your relative has money questions
Is Dad asking if he should sell the house now that Mom is gone? Or perhaps Aunt Mary is anxious about her stock investments. Even if you are good at managing your own money, helping a relative make financial decisions can bring a lot of pressure. Consider hiring a professional to advise you. A financial…
Read MoreAre enhanced “hearables” for you?
If you have trouble participating in conversation in a noisy room or tend to want the TV volume turned up, you might want to investigate a new category of device called an enhanced “hearable.” Up until now, there have been few options short of a hearing aid for people with only mild hearing loss. The…
Read MoreReducing the nausea of chemo
If a loved one in your life is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, very likely they are dealing with the common side effects of nausea and vomiting. Not fun. Encourage them to follow these tips. To reduce nausea/vomiting Avoid strong odors: Reduce exposure to cooking, perfume, and smoke. Keep the house well ventilated. Spend time outside.…
Read MoreProtecting the house from Medicaid
Care in a nursing home is expensive. For an extended stay, most people will need to pay quite a bit out of their own pocket. If there are no savings, Medicaid—the joint state-federal health insurance for low-income individuals—will step in. But it’s not a free ride. Medicaid allows recipients living in nursing homes to own…
Read MoreSigns of an online “sweetheart scam”
Romance crime is on the rise. Over 25,000 people reported a sweetheart scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2019, a threefold increase since 2016. Individuals age 65 and older were the hardest hit, with a median loss of $9465 (across all ages, the median loss was $2500 per individual). If your loved one…
Read MoreSubtle signs of a heart attack
It may surprise you to learn that the signs of a heart attack, especially in women, can be very different than those for men. Subtle signs of a heart attack We all know the classic heart attack portrayed over and over again in movies and on TV: Someone writhing in sudden, severe chest pain. But…
Read More“I’m engaged! Why aren’t my kids happy for me?”
Are you enjoying a love you never thought you’d feel again? It’s hard to be happy, though, if your children rain on your romance. Are they being selfish? Not necessarily. An in-depth study of “adult stepfamilies” revealed how disruptive it is when a parent gets involved with a new partner later in life. The family…
Read MoreWhen your relative is actively dying
In the last two weeks, as a loved one is nearing death, it is natural to want to be at their side. But then, what? Especially if you have never been in this situation before, you may feel uncertain—even awkward—about what to do. The ideal is to be a calm, reassuring, and loving presence focused…
Read MoreNeed a new doctor?
The pandemic has brought on a wave of physician retirements. Perhaps one of your relative’s doctors has sent a letter announcing the close of their practice. Yikes! When choosing a new physician, it’s worth the time to do some research. The right fit is critical to your loved one’s health and well-being. Begin by asking…
Read MoreFriends? Who has time?
If you are like most family caregivers, your social life has dropped in priority as you juggle your loved one’s needs. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to keep up all your friendships in addition to your family responsibilities. It may also be that friendships are now harder to keep. Many people don’t…
Read More