Tag Archives: Raleigh

Five Creative Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day

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 […]

Face Masks and FaceTime

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 […]

Post holiday blues

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: 5 reasons to have one

“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 […]

Holiday Gift Ideas for Seniors

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

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 […]

Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing

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

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 […]

Five ways to improve hospital stays for people living with dementia

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 […]

Medicare card updates

Medicare card

Medicare is mailing new Medicare cards to all people with Medicare starting in April 2018. Who needs to know this information? You, your elderly neighbor, your aging parent, church members, medical offices, retirement communities, baby boomers, SO MANY PEOPLE! Why is this information about new Medicare cards important? Medicare recipients hand over their Social Security numbers every time […]