Regardless of social distancing, limited get-togethers at restaurants, and all-around new realities of COVID-19, Father’s Day is a special time to recognize those important people in your life: dads, grandfathers, uncles, partners, friends, that person who made you feel safe and that taught life lessons to you as a child. It is fun to get […]
Today was a good day. I visited two clients, a husband and wife of 60+ years, in their home. I’ve been visiting them, providing care management support and services, for several years. This past year I’ve been with them through two hospitalizations, one rehab stint, numerous medical appointments, and more. Today we made our way […]
Mother’s Day celebrations this year may be much different for many families than past years. How can we honor and remember our mothers, grandmothers and the other special women in our lives during COVID-19? We’ll need to look for ways to be creative and loving while practicing social distancing to keep our aging loved ones […]
Post holiday blues is a normal feeling for many people, especially caregivers. The gifts have been opened, the decorations have been taken down, it’s back to our “regular” routine. This could be a time where a sense of sadness or depression may set in. The beginning of a new year comes with the ability to […]
“An advocate can be a family member, friend, trusted coworker, or a hired professional who accompanies you to your appointments and asks questions, writes down information, and speaks up for you so you can better understand your illness and get the care you need.” [Source: AARP] As an Aging Life Care Professional (also known as […]
Are you looking for holiday gift ideas for the seniors in your life? So what are you getting for your Mom this Christmas? What are you getting for your Dad? “They already have everything they need”, you say. “They are actually thinking of moving so that they can down size, I don’t want to add […]
Medicare coverage choices can be confusing! What is the best plan for you or your loved one? Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 – December 7, 2019. With 10,000 boomers turning 65 years old and retiring every day, the topic of healthcare coverage through Medicare is more timely than ever. Do you know that by […]
Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, includes challenges with chewing, swallowing food or liquid. Dysphagia is often related to aging. As with other muscles in the aging body, muscles in the mouth and throat can lose strength and bulk. Sometimes dental problems lead to a decreased ability to thoroughly chew food, which in turn leads […]
The weight of caregiver guilt can be overwhelming. Guilt is a 4-letter word in disguise. It is a bad feeling that can tear us down. As family caregivers we wrestle with feelings of guilt frequently. We give all we have however too often we feel like we have failed. And we doubt ourselves every single […]
Hospital stays can be challenging for any patient and for someone living with dementia, the patient experience can be even more scary and confusing. Here are five ways caregivers can improve their loved one’s experience. Frequently a trip to the hospital begins with a visit to an Emergency Department (ED). According to the Centers for […]