Older adults are particularly susceptible to loneliness during these challenging times. Seniors are most likely to self-isolate due to fear of infection, while also potentially lacking the proper support system to alleviate loneliness. Those aged 65 and older are the ones most affected by this pandemic. Older adults can stave off loneliness during this time in the following ways: Make…
Did you know falling is the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans? Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements, affecting their independence and quality of life. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and…
For families who have an aging or disabled relative, it can be difficult to know when to ask for help and who to turn to. Sometimes asking for help is often accompanied by feelings of helplessness, panic and uncertainty. When is the right time to seek out assistance? The signs the time is right will manifest themselves in a number of ways —Chronic…
Dorothy Gale from the “Wizard of Oz” said it best…“There’s no place like home!” When faced with the prospect of moving to an assisted living facility or aging in place, seniors overwhelmingly choose to stay in the comfort and privacy of their own homes as they age. According to an AARP survey, nearly 90% of those over age 65 want…
“I’m perfectly capable of managing my own affairs!” “I don’t need a babysitter!” “The house is already clean!” “I can bathe/dress myself, thank you very much!” You’ve probably heard these lines a hundred times by now. Your aging parents are perfectly fine and don’t need you or anyone else to help them with their activities of daily living. But their living…
Joey Daley spends majority of his week with his mother Molly, but she doesn’t always remember it. His mom was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia two years ago at the age of 65 and her condition has been getting progressively worse. After being frustrated at the lack of real life examples of how people deal with dementia, Joey set out…
You check the clock for the hundredth time. It’s nearly 5 o’ clock and you’re looking forward to leaving another busy day at work behind. The approaching evening holds promise for a bit of relaxation and unwinding from the day’s stress. But for many elderly people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, the onset of evening hours can be a…
The phone rang again at it’s usual time…11:30 a.m. It was my grandmother’s nursing home calling. She had ended up throwing most of her lunch down on the ground and what little was left ended up on her clothes as she tried to feed herself. She was losing weight and her behavior was getting worse. See, my grandmother has end stage…
The day a family member enters the hospital is the day the journey to recovery begins. It’s also the day to start planning for the trip back home. Returning home after surgery or a hospital stay may require some adjustments to be made in order to accommodate physical limitations and/or to facilitate the recovery process by making the home as convenient…
With medical marijuana being used to treat more and more ailments, the question of whether cannabis can help dementia sufferers needs to be addressed. Researchers in the UK will test whether a cannabis-based drug might benefit those suffering from dementia in a new study. The drug, Sativex, has already been approved in the United Kingdom to treat muscle stiffness and…
