Talking to your parents about money
In some families, money equals love. In others, it’s a measure of success. It’s often a sensitive subject, yet it should be discussed. Part of supporting your aging loved one involves understanding their thinking about money. After all, something could happen where you suddenly need to step in and manage the finances. You want to […]
The powers and limits of HIPAA
At the doctor or dentist, you have likely signed a HIPAA form “for your protection.” The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act restricts access to personal health information. This includes your medical conditions, test results, payment details, birth date, etc. This HIPAA protection helps ensure your personal information isn’t sold, leaked online, or even […]
What is shingles?
You might think of shingles as “just a rash.” While that may be true for many younger people, the viral infection can have serious consequences for older adults. And given that the risk of developing shingles increases with age, it’s something you want to help your aging loved one guard against. Shingles is caused […]
The long goodbye of anticipatory grief
While caring for an older loved one, perhaps you’ve been surprised to feel waves of sadness, a tightness in your chest, or sudden tears. You are grieving. It’s your heart’s way of beginning to let go, even while your beloved is still here. And no, you’re not jumping the gun. It’s a common phenomenon called […]
How to discourage wandering
It’s natural to fear that a loved one with dementia may wander. In fact, 60% of people with Alzheimer’s get restless and head out the door. As a family member, you can’t be watchful every minute. But you can take steps to reduce the chance of wandering. The many triggers for wandering include anxiety, […]
Savoring good experiences
Have you noticed that even a small negative event can grab your attention repeatedly over the day? Positive events, by contrast, rarely come back to mind. That’s human. Our brains are hard wired to pay attention to threats. But there are many benefits to savoring positive experiences. Even in the privacy of your own thoughts, […]
Medicare help at home
If your loved one is homebound due to injury, illness, or recent hospital discharge, you might be surprised by how much Medicare can help. There are specific home health services that can happen right in the living room. Knowing what’s covered—and how to ask for it—is essential to accessing these services. Skilled nursing care. […]
Living with essential tremor
If your loved one has essential tremor (ET), you know that they live with ongoing shakiness, likely in the hands or head. Early on, they may spill some coffee or have occasional trouble with their buttons when getting dressed. Changes that are distressing but not life altering. But as everyday tasks become more and more […]
What is an enrichment program?
Is your aging loved one navigating a big transition in life and you’re not sure what might help? Maybe they just moved to memory care and feel lost in their new surroundings. Or they’re recently widowed and struggling to find joy. Connecting them with an enrichment program might make a real difference. It would certainly […]
When there is a cancer diagnosis
If your loved one recently received a diagnosis of cancer, you both may be feeling stunned, anxious, and overwhelmed. Here are tips to help: Lay a foundation for the journey to come. Acknowledge emotions. Anger, sadness, and confusion are among the many normal responses. And, of course, fear. Encourage your relative to talk about […]