Boosting your spiritual practice may be your simplest route to becoming a stronger, less stressed family caregiver.
Considering a remodel?
Discover changes that can help your loved one “age in place,” as well as tips for finding a qualified contractor.
Sage advice from elders
As we near the end of the year, it’s a natural time to reflect on the big picture. Older adults have a lot to teach us about life. If you’re searching for some perspective, check out The Legacy Project, which spent many years compiling practical tips from wise elders.
Caring for feet
Our feet and toes change as we age, and those small changes can lead to big issues with balance, comfort, and mobility. Keep an eye on your aging loved one’s feet and don’t ignore signs such as pain, swelling, or thickened nails.
Balancing caregiving and work
Of the millions of Americans caring for aging loved ones, 61% also have jobs. If you are one of them, you know just how hard it is to stay on top of everything, not to mention find time for yourself, too.
Whose idea was this, anyway?
Many family caregivers feel they had no choice about taking on primary responsibilities for a parent’s care. Learn tips for reducing family conflict … and your own resentments!
Dementia and long-distance caregiving: Building a team
If there’s an aging loved one with dementia in your life but you don’t live nearby, you may be feeling some combination of guilt, concern, and helplessness. Building a local team is one of the most important things you can do.
Anemia in older adults
Perhaps because its symptoms can be mistaken as normal aging, anemia often goes undetected in older adults. We discuss how to spot the signs and make sure your loved one gets the care they need.
What is hospice?
Learn more about this free Medicare service that focuses on comfort care and support for you and your loved one.
Safe traveling for older adults
A quick checkup with the doctor and a few preventive strategies can go a long way toward ensuring an enjoyable trip, with reduced chances of having to cut it short.
Honoring a veteran’s story with an audio memoir
Veterans Day, coming up next month, is a great time to consider preserving the stories of your aging loved ones who served. One option is to make a recording together. It could be a deeply meaningful experience for everyone involved!
Preventing a second heart attack
Optimal recovery from a heart attack includes serious lifestyle changes. Find out what you can do to help your loved one reduce the chance of a recurrence.
Time to switch Part D plans?
It’s Medicare Open Enrollment time! October 15 to December 7 is your aging loved one’s chance to review and update their Part D prescription plan. Plans change every year, affecting cost and coverage, so it pays to understand the details.
Digital assistants and older adults
As digital assistants become more commonplace, family caregivers might wonder what these devices can do to help their aging loved ones stay independent and safe at home.
How to report symptoms to the doctor
If you care for an older adult who needs medical attention, it helps for you both to know the best way to clearly describe symptoms. The better the communication, the more accurately a doctor can diagnose what’s wrong.
Packing a “go bag”
Disasters can strike fast. Would your aging loved one be ready to go? A well-packed emergency “go bag” can help immensely, providing essentials such as medications, documents, and comfort items. Take time now to prepare one so it’s ready to go when it matters.
Reducing the risk of falls
Falls are a big cause of injury among older adults, but many can be prevented by taking the right steps. A fall risk assessment by a doctor can help catch potential dangers early. Staying active with balance, strength, and aerobic exercises can also greatly reduce the risk.
Finding time to grandparent
Having trouble balancing your duties as a family caregiver with maintaining a connection with your grandchildren? It might help to reframe your expectations and get creative about how you show up in their lives.
Talking to your parents about money
It’s smart to be prepared to step in if something comes up that leaves your parent unable to handle their finances. But money can also be a very sensitive subject. Check out our simple conversation starters to get the ball rolling.
The powers and limits of HIPAA
Most people are familiar with the term HIPAA and know that it somehow relates to sensitive health information. But the details of what exactly it means for family caregivers can be confusing.
What is shingles?
For National Immunization Awareness Month, we take a closer look at shingles and the importance of older adults getting vaccinated. It’s a simple way to protect your loved one not only from the pain associated with the condition, but from other complications, too.
The long goodbye of anticipatory grief
You may think grief comes only after a death. But if you have an aging loved one in your life, watching them change and move closer to the end of their life can stir up feelings of grief long before they are gone.
How to discourage wandering
Are you constantly watchful that your loved one with dementia doesn’t slip out the door? Check out our tips for reducing the common problem of wandering.
Savoring good experiences
Like a good meal, good memories can be savored. It turns out that intentionally reliving positive moments retrains your brain to notice and savor the current positives in your life. What a yummy way to feel happier!
Medicare help at home
Caring for an ill, aging loved one who is at home? There might be resources covered by Medicare that could help lighten the load.
Living with essential tremor
Watching a loved one struggle with essential tremor can be tough—but there are ways to help. Simple swaps such as weighted utensils or slip-on shoes can make life a little easier. But just as important is finding the right emotional support.
What is an enrichment program?
Staying engaged in activities and connected to a sense of purpose is very important to the health and well-being of older adults. This is especially true for those facing new challenges. If you need help making sure your loved one is getting the engagement they need, consider an enrichment program.
When there is a cancer diagnosis
Learn what you can do to support your aging loved one during this tough time.
Choosing a nursing home
If your loved one needs full-time care and supervision, they may need to relocate to a nursing home. But how do you decide which one is the best fit?
Planning a celebration of life
Searching for a heartfelt way to honor someone after they’ve passed? Consider a celebration of life. These events leave a lot of room for creativity and can help honor your loved one’s legacy in a deeply personal and positive way.
What is “prediabetes”?
Prediabetes is more common than you might think, especially in older adults. The good news? Simple lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and exercise, can lower blood sugar and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Benefits of memory care
If dementia is making it hard for a loved one to live independently, memory care can provide the specialized support they need. These facilities offer a safe and comfortable environment with extra staff, simplified building layouts, and activities that promote engagement.
Stress relief: only a breath away
Does caring for a loved one leave you feeling overwhelmed sometimes? Certain breathing patterns can calm your mind, reduce anxiety, and boost your well-being—anywhere, anytime. If you’re feeling stressed and need a moment to reset, try a simple technique such as box breathing.
Essential tremor: The basics
Essential tremor is a common but often misunderstood condition affecting many older adults. It causes involuntary shaking that is non–life threatening but can certainly affect your loved one’s quality of life. Learn more about how to get a diagnosis and explore treatment.
What is the Platinum Rule?
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day! You’ve probably heard of the Golden Rule, but do you know about the Platinum Rule? If you’re in charge of making decisions on behalf of an older adult, this motto can be a compass for you as you navigate that role.
Treating yourself as a friend
Being a family caregiver means balancing love and support with the weight of responsibility. Don’t forget to treat yourself with the same kindness you show others! Instead of self-criticism, try compassion. Research shows it helps you cope better, stay positive, and even take better care of your health.
Who covers you in an emergency?
Life is unpredictable. There’s a good chance that at some point the person who takes care of your aging loved one—whether that’s you or someone else—will have an emergency. By creating a backup plan, you take control and ensure your loved one is cared for, even when the unexpected occurs.