Whether you live down the block or across the country, holiday visits are a great opportunity to take a closer look at your aging loved one and their surroundings. Take time to observe any changes in an aging family member’s behaviors or lifestyle during dinners, gift exchanges, parties, etc. Changes may vary widely – from outwardly visible to subtle shifts …
If your Thanksgiving holiday is fortunate enough to include multiple generations at the dinner table, here are some simple tips for keeping aging loved ones engaged, comfortable and safe during holiday celebrations. Last Minute Thanksgiving Tips for Hosting Aging Adults By Lisa Mayfield, MA, LMHC, GMHS, CMC – Aging Life Care Association® President When planning a multi-generational Thanksgiving holiday consider …
No matter how much planning one does before a natural disaster—be it a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire, or flood—its arrival can often feel like a complete surprise. And for aging seniors, evacuating often comes with its own set of difficulties. With hurricane season still in effect and early winter storms blanketing parts of the country in snow, Aging Life Care …
At some point along the path of life, we step into the path of being a caregiver; we expected this as we became parents or as our own parents aged. But when we married someone, this role was not delineated in our dreams or vision of our vows of “from this day forward!” Our partners are often the same age …
Trip Tips for Older Travelers with Health Considerations By Amanda Lewis, BA, CMC, Certified Care Manager, Aging Wisdom, LLC Summer is a wonderful time for traveling. Neither age nor health should keep you from going on a vacation. With some thoughtful planning, a trip to visit with family and friends or to visit specific destinations can be a joy. As …
Courtesy Frye Art Museum. Photo: Jonathan Vanderweit. By Keri Pollock Lifestyle choices are some of the most effective and easiest ways to enhance brain health. What we eat, how we spend our free time, how much physical activity and social enrichment we engage in, all play a part. And anything positive you do for your heart will also benefit your …
By Lisa Rehburg Healthcare and long term care expenses can be significant as we age. An article in the May edition of The CPA Journal explained that “50% of individuals over age 85 will need assistance with daily functioning because of medical problems (both physical and cognitive), and chronic care at home, in an assisted living facility or in a …
By Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC When a parent or spouse can no longer do what they did yesterday, it becomes another transition for the primary caregiver and for the extended family. These transitions catch us off guard and an overwhelming sense of loss and grief is experienced by the primary care provider. They often don’t label this as a …
By Miriam Zucker, LMSW, ACSW, C-ASWCM As Aging Life Care Professionals®, when we are asked to assist with securing placement in a nursing home, there are many questions we ask beyond the physical and cognitive conditions that are prompting the move. Primary among those questions is: what was mom or dad’s occupation? Those families who have parents in their mid-eighties …
The Most Surprising Secret to Aging Well: Social Engagement by Jullie Gray, MSW, LICSW, CMC Ask anyone for their top advice about living a long, healthy life and you’ll probably hear tips about the importance of eating well, stopping smoking, exercising and getting regular medical checkups. Don’t throw those good habits out the window, but it may come as a …
