Caregiving Tips

Veterans Day parades come and go. A more lasting option for honoring the veteran in your life is to record an audio memoir of their life and service. Whether your loved one saw combat or served in peacetime, every veteran has a story to tell. Many would love to share their experiences. An audio memoir…

Recovery from a heart attack takes time. First there are the physical and emotional reactions to deal with. A big part of recovery, however, is embracing lifestyle changes to keep the heart as healthy as possible and prevent a recurrence. It takes dedication to change old habits. But the effort is much less than what…

During Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, October 15 to December 7, anyone with a Medicare drug plan, also known as “Part D,” can change their plan. That makes it a good time to double check your loved one’s coverage, even if they’ve been satisfied. Plans change every year. Medications may be dropped. Pharmacies shift in and…

Imagine if your aging loved one could make a call, get medication reminders, or check the weather without lifting a finger. Maybe even chat with a device that responds to them. Today’s digital assistant devices make all this possible, giving your family member more independence. But while these “smart” helpers can do a lot, they…

All healing begins with an accurate diagnosis, yet errors are common. So common that most of us are likely to experience at least one diagnostic error in our lifetime. How we describe symptoms to the doctor can go a long way in helping them make an accurate diagnosis. For family caregivers, this means preparing with…

Whether it’s fire, flood, or something else, natural disasters happen everywhere. Make sure your loved one is prepared. Given that age or disease has likely eliminated their ability to move quickly, it’s all the more important to help in advance. Even if you live nearby, you may not be able to get to them when…

Each year, one out of four older adults will experience a fall, making falls the leading cause of injury for elders. The most severe consequences include injuries that can be life changing: a traumatic brain injury or broken hip. These can lead to the need to move to a setting with more assistance.  Your aging…

When you’re caring for your aging parent or spouse, you might be at a loss for how you can fit in grandparenting too. You might feel grief, jealousy, and even guilt that you’re not getting to be the grandparent you imagined. Don’t give up. Grandchild relationships are precious! Whether those families live nearby or far…

In some families, money equals love. In others, it’s a measure of success. It’s often a sensitive subject, yet it should be discussed. Part of supporting your aging loved one involves understanding their thinking about money. After all, something could happen where you suddenly need to step in and manage the finances. You want to…

At the doctor or dentist, you have likely signed a HIPAA form “for your protection.” The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act restricts access to personal health information. This includes your medical conditions, test results, payment details, birth date, etc. This HIPAA protection helps ensure your personal information isn’t sold, leaked online, or even…