Caregiving Advisor

The Advisor Guide for Boomers who are family caregivers, for Senior parents, children, grandchildren, and more...

Senior.Advisor.com

The 40/70 Rule: Talk Now Rather Than Later

As hard as it may seem, talking with your aging parents about tough issues is easier now than it will be later.

The quality of communication between adult children and their senior parents leaves a lot to be desired, according to a study from the senior care company Home Instead. The findings of the study led researchers to coin the phrase "the 40/70 rule."

Senior.Advisor.com

Get Help Monitoring Dad

Ensure your parent is getting proper nursing home care.

Q: My dad has been in a nursing home for about 8 months and, in that time, he has lost about 15 pounds -- weight he could hardly afford to lose. I suspect his nutritional needs aren't being met, but I'm not sure what to do. He's picky, and it takes a lot of patience to get him to eat. I've spoken to the staff, and they insist he's eating. Do you think I should file a complaint?

Senior.Advisor.com

Getting Seniors Out from Behind the Wheel -- Voluntarily

Police and businesses in Japan are joining forces to encourage seniors who are no longer safe drivers to give up their driver's licenses.

Over the last six years, crashes involving drivers age 70 and older have jumped by 30 percent in Tokyo. Because it can be tough for family members to take the keys away from their older relatives, it's better for seniors to voluntarily give up driving.

Senior.Advisor.com

Alzheimer’s Portrayed on the Silver Screen

Julie Christie wins a Golden Globe for her protrayal of a woman with Alzheimer's.

2007 cinema gave us a revealing look at Alzheimer's disease.

Health.Advisor.com

Prevent Falls in Nursing Homes

Nursing home residents are at a high risk for falls. Here are some tips for prevention.

Q: My mom recently took a nasty spill in the nursing home where she's living. A friend of mine, who is a nurse, told me that this is fairly common in nursing homes. I thought my mom would be fairly safe there, so why do falls occur more often in nursing homes?

Ability.Advisor.com

Handy Helpers for Arthritis Sufferers

Carex Dexterity Kit

If arthritis pain makes it difficult to do everyday tasks, such as grasp small lamp switches or insert your key into the lock, these solutions can help. These simple gadgets provide solutions for those with stiff joints.

Health.Advisor.com

A Little More Conversation

Adult incontinence is common, yet it can be a difficult subject to discuss with family, friends, and even physicians.

Adult incontinence is much more prevalent in the United States than you might think. According to the National Association of Continence (NAFC, 2006), approximately 25 million adults in this country have experienced incontinence at some point in their lives. In fact, this number may be higher as most adults, especially men, won't admit or are embarrassed to discuss this condition with their healthcare provider, family, or friends. And 75-80 percent of those suffering incontinence are women.

Medicine.Advisor.com

Learn the Truth About Hospice Care for Advanced Illness

Here are the facts about how hospice and palliative care can give your family help and hope when they need it most.

Hospice and palliative care services focus on meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of a person with advanced illness, and also provide support for the patient's loved ones. Care can be provided wherever the patient resides, including the person's home, residential or skilled nursing facility, or assisted living environment.

Security.Advisor.com

Help Emergency Services Help You

ICE campaign aims to help paramedics know who to contact in case of emergency.

Many of us carry a mobile phone with the phone numbers of our loved ones stored in a list of contacts, so if we were to get in an accident, the paramedics would have that information at their fingertips, right?

Health.Advisor.com

Take the Guesswork Out of Managing Multiple Medicines

Here are some tips for avoiding duplicate medications and potentially dangerous drug interactions.

Managing multiple medicines can be a daunting task. But, by knowing a few key things about each individual medicine your parent is taking, you can help eliminate the guesswork involved in managing many different medications and making sure these medicines work their best.

Caregiver.Advisor.com

Happy, Healthy Holidays: Tips for Caregivers

As your family changes, traditional holiday activities can result in more stress than comfort. Here are suggestions for traditions that are easier on the family.

Holidays can be difficult for anyone dealing with the changes of Alzheimer's, or any ailment, really. They are also stressful times for caregivers trying to maintain traditions.

Caregiving.Advisor.com

10 Warning Signs of Caregiver Stress

While you are taking care of your loved one, who is taking care of you?

Caregivers need to pay attention to their own health and needs, so that they have the strength, stamina, and patience to care for their loved ones.

Technology.Advisor.com

Phone Numbers at Your Fingertips

Clarity P300 amplified telephone

Have you ever wanted to call someone but had to stop and look up the number, even ones you dial often? Have you wished you could remember the important ones so you don't have to look them up? Have you ever had a hard time hearing the person on the line, but didn't want to keep asking them to speak up? Here's the phone for you!

Family.Advisor.com

Help Children and Teens Cope When a Loved One Has Alzheimer's

Young people need to understand dementia and share their feelings about it. These tips will help the entire family.

Alzheimer's disease can have a big impact on every member of the family, including children. Each child reacts differently to someone who has Alzheimer's. The young people in your life might have questions about what is happening. It's important for you to take the time to answer these questions openly and honestly.

Caregiving.Advisor.com

Plan for an Effective Senior Facility Care Plan Meeting

During the care plan meeting at your loved one's skilled nursing or other care facility, make sure your voice is heard.

When you have a loved one in a skilled nursing facility or assisted living facility, you'll often be asked to participate in a "care plan conference," or a "quarterly care conference." Unfortunately, family members usually go to this meeting with little understanding of what a care plan document should provide, or what the goals of an effective care plan conference should be. This article helps you be prepared.


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