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Senior Solutions AdvisorSenior Solutions Advisor provides expert advice, answers and resources for Seniors, and for Boomers who are helping and caring for Seniors.

Health.Advisor.com
Tips for Older Adults to Avoid Heat-Related Illness
Our risk of hyperthermia problems increases with age

Summertime, and the living is...hot -- TOO HOT. Alas, we are less able to handle hot days as we age. The wonderful summertime of youth can become a serious problem for a Senior.

Heat-related illnesses, known as hyperthermia, can include heat stroke, heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat cramps and heat exhaustion, says the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIH has some advice to help older people avoid these problems.

Senior.Advisor.com
Role Reversal
Strategies for taking away the keys when mom or dad should no longer drive.
By Pamela Smith, San Diego Aging & Independence Services director

Automobiles transcend other possessions. They are part of our identity, almost like a member of the family. After a lifetime of mobility, the prospect of losing that aspect of independence can be seriously frightening. But, what do you do when your parent is no longer safe on the road? Here are some suggestions.

Senior.Advisor.com
Protecting Mom & Dad
Ensure the very best nursing home care.
By Danielle Philipson, SentryCare vice president

You might assume your loved one will receive high-quality care in a nursing home; however, that can be a dangerous assumption and your parent may instead be at risk of harm.

Senior.Advisor.com
The Financial Toll of Alzheimer’s
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s has more than just medical implications — there are financial issues, too.
By Diane Darby Beach, MPH, Ed.D.

An estimated 5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease; this number is expected to double by the year 2050 as the elderly segment of our population grows. Not only does the disease have a significant emotional impact on individuals and their families, it also causes severe family financial burden and places considerable demands on the greater public health system.

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.
By Danielle Philipson, SentryCare

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?

Good Advice...Added Comments
I'm not sure of the nursing home protocols, but if they have more than one physician visiting patients, you might also opt for changing the physician that sees him. My father (93 yrs. old), became...

Money.Advisor.com
5 Key Steps to Creating a Living Trust
Considering a living trust? What about a will? Do you need both?
By Kristine C. Kyllander

There are many benefits to having a living trust but, as with any legal document, it requires careful planning. In this article, you'll learn exactly what a living trust is, and explore five basic steps you should consider when establishing your own living trust.

living wills
Can someone tell me in a neat sequence what are the steps to take in creating a living will? Who do I consult (ie., doctor, lawyer?)

Money.Advisor.com
Long-Term Care Insurance: Are You Covered? Really?
Are you one of the one in four Boomers who believes they're covered for long-term care ... but really aren't?

Long-term care insurance -- whether you have it, how much it covers, and for how long -- determines how well you'll be taken care of when you can't take care of yourself.

Home.Advisor.com
Housing Law Changes Reverse Mortgages
If you're thinking a reverse mortgage might be the answer to your retirement quandaries, a new law works in your favor -- while the housing crisis works against you.

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 upped the borrowing limits on reverse mortgages, put the brakes on aggresive marketing of reverse mortgages, and limited the fees a financial institution can charge for reverse mortgages.

Home.Advisor.com
Design Your Kitchen For the Future
The kitchen is the heart of the home. Here are some tips for making it as accessible as possible.
By David Dickinson

A well-designed kitchen can make cooking and entertaining more enjoyable. So if you're considering remodeling the kitchen, your focus is probably cosmetic. However, as your parents get older, there are safety issues to consider, too.

Senior.Advisor.com
Funeral Pre-Planning
Although it's a tough conversation to have, planning for a funeral now can save heartache later.
By Debbie Hartman-Fares, Poway Bernardo Mortuary

Q: A few months ago, my aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She doesn't have any kids and she's like a second mom to my brothers and me, so we're very involved with her care. Although it's likely she'll be with us for quite a while, we've begun to realize that we might not have very long to find out what her wishes are for her care and funeral.

Health.Advisor.com
Chinese Exercises Benefit Older Adults
Find out what eastern disciplines improve balance, leg strength, and mental outlook.

Healthy seniors who practice a combination of Chinese exercises three times a week for six months experience significant physical benefits after only two months, say researchers at the University of Illinois.

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.

Health.Advisor.com
Add Good Years to Your Life
Yet another reason to keep fit: Not only can you add years to your life, it's likely they will be more satisfying.

A new study shows, not only that healthy behavior can add active, satisfying years to your life, but also details how specific unhealthy behaviors shorten lifespan.

Home.Advisor.com
Remodeling for Safety: The Bathroom
If your goal is to help your parent(s) stay in their own home as long as possible, bathroom safety should be a priority.
By David Dickinson, In Your Home co-founder

As Boomers age, we're helping our parents deal with livability issues. All too soon, we'll be dealing with these issues for ourselves and our spouses. Some of us — the "early aged," who have some sort of injury or debilitating condition — are already dealing with these challenges.

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Finish your vegetables! There are thousands of children in Hollywood with eating disorders.

— John Callaghan