Caregiving Tips

It’s challenging to live far from a loved one with dementia. You need the eyes and ears of a local “boots-on-the-ground” team to support them. Once that team is in place, it’s important to stay connected with everyone—your relative and the care team members. It’s a juggling act, for sure. Periodic visits, simple technology, and…

Most adults have a resting heart rate of sixty to one hundred beats per minute. When the heart rate stays below sixty beats per minute, it’s considered slow, or “bradycardia.” (“Tachycardia” is when the heart rate is too fast.) This is an electrical problem in the heart. The heart’s “natural pacemaker,” the sinus node, isn’t…

Reduced leisure time, emotional stress, physical fatigue, financial draws, and loss of privacy are a few of the pressures that strain the marriages and partnerships of those who are also caring for family members. But some couples also report a benefit: caregiving prompted a new kind of teamwork that strengthened their relationship. Here are some…

When your schedule gets tight, is sleep one of the first things to go? According to the experts, that’s all too common. And it makes about as much sense as deciding to do without food, air, or water. Sleep is that essential. Most adults need six to eight hours of sleep per night. Sleep promotes…

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a very common condition affecting the retina of the eye. It causes blurry vision and dark spots in the center of the visual field. This makes it challenging to read, drive, and recognize faces. Although AMD typically gets worse over time, it does not lead to total blindness. It is,…

Who doesn’t want to avoid dementia? Evidence is accumulating that many aspects of lifestyle affect brain health and cognition. One important factor is diet, and research suggests that the “MIND diet” may significantly influence brain health. The MIND diet combines the best of the Mediterranean diet—plenty of vegetables, olive oil, fish, and whole grains—with the…

Reduce the stress of your family member’s next medical emergency: prepack a “go bag.” It’s hard to think clearly when everything’s urgent. Getting prepared now means you can stay focused then. You can keep many important documents and helpful items stored in the bag. You will need to keep some documents updated, such as your…

Do you want to feel more emotionally centered and resilient as you care for your relative? Studies show that religion and spirituality, however they are personally defined, help family caregivers maintain a sense of well-being. In fact, individuals who draw upon their religious or spiritual beliefs report feeling less burdened and depressed. Those who stay…

Do you want to ensure that an aging loved one can live safely and comfortably in their home over the years to come? Many older adults want to “age in place.” Remodeling can remove safety hazards and prevent common accidents. It also can be less expensive than paying for assisted living. Plus, making the home…

What makes life worth living? Who knows better than those who have done a lot of living: older adults. The Legacy Project has gathered “lessons for living from the wisest Americans.” Starting in 2004, this Cornell University research project asked over 1,500 elders for insights for “surviving and thriving” in life. The project organized the…