What is hospice?
Hospice is a service that offers specialized care for individuals nearing the end of life. But it is not just for the last few days. In fact, Medicare pays for months of in-depth services to patients and their families. For instance: Do you wish you had help with bathing your loved one? Are you worried […]
Safe traveling for older adults
If your aging loved one has travel plans coming up, be aware that older bodies are more vulnerable to the stresses of travel. Begin with a pretrip appointment with the doctor. Suggest a meeting with the physician four to eight weeks ahead of the vacation. Ask the doctor to assess overall health for travel. […]
Honoring a veteran’s story with an audio memoir
Veterans Day parades come and go. A more lasting option for honoring the veteran in your life is to record an audio memoir of their life and service. Whether your loved one saw combat or served in peacetime, every veteran has a story to tell. Many would love to share their experiences. An audio memoir […]
Preventing a second heart attack
Recovery from a heart attack takes time. First there are the physical and emotional reactions to deal with. A big part of recovery, however, is embracing lifestyle changes to keep the heart as healthy as possible and prevent a recurrence. It takes dedication to change old habits. But the effort is much less than what […]
Time to switch Part D plans?
During Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, October 15 to December 7, anyone with a Medicare drug plan, also known as “Part D,” can change their plan. That makes it a good time to double check your loved one’s coverage, even if they’ve been satisfied. Plans change every year. Medications may be dropped. Pharmacies shift in and […]
Digital assistants and older adults
Imagine if your aging loved one could make a call, get medication reminders, or check the weather without lifting a finger. Maybe even chat with a device that responds to them. Today’s digital assistant devices make all this possible, giving your family member more independence. But while these “smart” helpers can do a lot, they […]
How to report symptoms to the doctor
All healing begins with an accurate diagnosis, yet errors are common. So common that most of us are likely to experience at least one diagnostic error in our lifetime. How we describe symptoms to the doctor can go a long way in helping them make an accurate diagnosis. For family caregivers, this means preparing with […]
Packing a “go bag”
Whether it’s fire, flood, or something else, natural disasters happen everywhere. Make sure your loved one is prepared. Given that age or disease has likely eliminated their ability to move quickly, it’s all the more important to help in advance. Even if you live nearby, you may not be able to get to them when […]
Reducing the risk of falls
Each year, one out of four older adults will experience a fall, making falls the leading cause of injury for elders. The most severe consequences include injuries that can be life changing: a traumatic brain injury or broken hip. These can lead to the need to move to a setting with more assistance. Your […]
Finding time to grandparent
When you’re caring for your aging parent or spouse, you might be at a loss for how you can fit in grandparenting too. You might feel grief, jealousy, and even guilt that you’re not getting to be the grandparent you imagined. Don’t give up. Grandchild relationships are precious! Whether those families live nearby or far […]