By: Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM Sarah is turning 94 this month. She has lived in an assisted living community for almost four years now. Prior to moving to the AL facility, she resided in her home for over 50 years. Sarah is an only child who cared for her parents until they both passed. She had a long, successful

Watch as Advocate For Elders Founder, Jennifer Beach describes her experience as a first time blood donor with The Red Cross. The Red Cross is experiencing the worst blood shortage in over a decade. For more information on how you can donate blood, please visit their website at https://www.redcrossblood.org/

By Vicki Wolpoff of NorthShore Care Supply  –  an Aging Life Care Association Corporate Partner  November is Bladder Health Month — a  month is designed to encourage you to stay informed about different bladder issues, so you can proactively take care of your bladder health or help someone who you are caring for. One of the most common bladder conditions

By: Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM Everyone knows exercise is good for our bodies, but for many, exercising can seem daunting or out of reach. The excuses vary, just as each of us are varied: “My back hurts,” “My knees hurt,” “My hips hurt,” “I’m too old/overweight,” “It’s too cold/too wet/too hot outside,” “I’m too tired,”… and the list goes

By: Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM The holidays mean different things to each of us, depending on where we are in life this season. Children grow, loved ones face challenges. We all face uncertainties and, like everything in life, our holiday experiences change, too. We all know the phrase, “Is the glass half empty or half full?” Optimists will usually say the

By: Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM Steve’s wife Carol was in her mid-40s when she had a massive stroke, leaving her paralyzed on her entire left side, affecting her ability to swallow. The first year after her stroke, Carol remained in a rehabilitation facility. She required a feeding tube but eventually with ongoing therapy, encouragement and determination, she regained her

Those who serve older adults periodically come across individuals with no children or children who live at a distance from them. Historically, most adults aged 65 and above seemed to have at least one family member who could provide some measure of care and support. That situation is now changing, however, in a big way, and will continue to change

By: Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM I recently read the article, “The Surprising Cause of Hospital Acquired Pneumonia,” by Mark Ray. The article discussed how hospital-acquired infections are among the most common hospital-related complications affecting one in 25 patients, according to The New England Journal of Medicine. And these infections are largely preventable. Within 48 hours of a hospitalization, bacteria

This week we are spotlighting one of our members and recipient of the ALCA Midwest Chapter Outstanding Member Award for 2020 – Ann Sutton Burke. Tell us about your current practice? The practice I manage is CareLink, Your Experts in Aging based in Cincinnati Ohio. It is part of a non-profit agency, Jewish Family Service (JFS) of the Cincinnati area.