Care for the Caregiver -- You!

advisordrupal — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 08:00:00 +0000

A few months ago, my husband John and I were having dinner with two other Boomer couples. We've been friends for years and were catching up on our lives and families. Near the end of the evening, one of our friends commented, "We used to get together and talk about the challenges of raising our kids. Now we get together and talk about our aging parents."

Funeral Pre-Planning

Christa Ayer — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:14:19 +0100

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.

The 40/70 Rule: Talk Now Rather Than Later

Christa Ayer — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:33:57 +0100

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."

Chinese Exercises Benefit Older Adults

Christa Ayer — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:13:57 +0100

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.

Get Help Monitoring Dad

Christa Ayer — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:21:52 +0100

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?

Getting Seniors Out from Behind the Wheel -- Voluntarily

Christa Ayer — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:35:24 +0000

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.

5 Key Steps to Creating a Living Trust

Christa Ayer — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:22:03 +0000

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.

Add Good Years to Your Life

Christa Ayer — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 04:25:59 +0000

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.

Long-Term Care Insurance: Are You Covered? Really?

Christa Ayer — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:26:30 +0000

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.

Insurance Companies Pay the Price for Allegedly Swindling Seniors

Christa Ayer — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:15:46 +0000

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and Attorney General Jerry Brown have announced a multi-million-dollar settlement in a case where seniors were potentially mislead into purchasing unsuitable annuities.

Take the Guesswork Out of Managing Multiple Medicines

Christa Ayer — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:19:46 +0000

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.

Alzheimer’s Portrayed on the Silver Screen

Christa Ayer — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:21:38 +0000

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

Prevent Falls in Nursing Homes

Christa Ayer — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:53:51 +0000

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?

Handy Helpers for Arthritis Sufferers

AnnMarie Garcia — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:19:43 +0100

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.

Phone Numbers at Your Fingertips

AnnMarie Garcia — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:09:12 +0100

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!