Caregiving Tips
Age-friendly car features
Older drivers are generally more cautious, but also more vulnerable to injury during a crash. Good news: Keeping your relative safe on the road may be easier than you think. But it could require upgrading to a newer car. Choosing the right car features can improve safety, comfort, and ease of use—and reduce risk for…
Read MoreTouch as a lifeline for elders
We come into the world with an immediate need for touch—to feel safe and comforted. Touch is often described as our “first language,” and it remains essential throughout life. In our elder years, our other senses diminish (sight, hearing, smell, taste), giving touch extra importance. Think of your loved one: Has widowhood or isolation left…
Read MoreHoliday dementia visits
Perhaps you are looking forward to visiting relatives this holiday season. If your loved one has dementia, however, consider their condition a “third guest” with very particular needs to be addressed. Here are tips for a smoother visit: Planning to travel this holiday season?There are many ways to prepare ahead of time so your loved…
Read MoreGiving thanks: It’s good for your health
Many of us regard the Thanksgiving holiday as an annual opportunity for counting our blessings. There’s good reason for practicing the giving of thanks throughout the year: Research suggests that cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” is associated with Gratitude is a choice. You don’t have to feel deep gratitude welling up in your heart. It’s…
Read MoreUnderstanding frailty
“Frailty” used to be a rather vague description, like “old age.” Currently, however, it is recognized as a cluster of conditions that deserves medical attention. The following are signs of frailty: Between 5% – 17% of older adults can be considered “frail.” There is a continuum of frailty from “prefrail” to late stage. Frail individuals…
Read MoreWhat is “observation status”?
Imagine that your relative goes to the hospital for an outpatient procedure. That’s no big deal. But their blood pressure skyrockets during the event. So the hospital decides to keep your family member overnight for monitoring. They have a bed and receive meals. You might readily assume they’ve been admitted as an inpatient. In this…
Read MoreSimplifying the holidays
For family caregivers, the prospect of the holiday season is often more daunting than delightful. How do you decide what to keep and what to trim away? Prioritize activities with people you enjoy. Spend time with those who nourish your soul rather than those who criticize or deplete you. Focus on what gives meaning to…
Read MoreHandy gadgets for arthritis
Living with stiff or arthritic hands can significantly diminish joy, confidence, and freedom. Among those over age eighty-five, about half of all women and one-quarter of all men are afflicted with the pain of osteoarthritis in the hands. To support your loved one’s independence, try these expert hacks and gadgets: Equip the kitchen. Look for…
Read MoreCoping with new situations
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…
Read MoreReducing and resolving chronic inflammation
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…
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