Essential tremor: The basics
Are you noticing a persistent shake in your loved one’s hands, head, or voice? They might be dealing with essential tremor (ET), a common neurological condition that affects millions and typically appears after age sixty. The good news is that ET progresses slowly and isn’t life threatening. Tremors are usually the only symptom. But they […]
What is the Platinum Rule?
Did you say “yes” to being a healthcare decision maker for an aging loved one? It is an honor and a sign of trust to be chosen! And it is a powerful responsibility. As healthcare power of attorney (or proxy), your role is to make medical decisions for them if they cannot make them on […]
Treating yourself as a friend
As a family caregiver, you probably hold yourself to a high standard. You expect yourself to react with kindness and patience at all times, no matter how unpleasant or inconvenient the task. Compassionate caring is a high ideal for family caregivers. But some days are admittedly better than others. And then comes the self-criticism […]
Who covers you in an emergency?
As a family caregiver, your role is essential to your loved one’s well-being. But what happens if you get sick, injured, or face an emergency? Even if your relative is primarily taken care of by someone else, there’s also a chance that person may be unavailable at some point. Having a plan that identifies backup […]
Navigating frustration as a caregiver
Does caring for a loved one stir up some unwanted emotions for you? You’re not alone. While frustration may feel shameful to admit, it’s a common challenge in family caregiving. Think of frustration as the froth from deeper feelings brewing inside, such as disappointment, loneliness, anger, and stress overload. The key is to not expect […]
Could it be a misdiagnosis?
Misdiagnosis happens more often than you think, and it occurs more frequently for older adults than for others. There are myriad reasons why: Symptoms of many health concerns mimic or overlap those of other conditions, and older adults typically have multiple health issues. Disease symptoms can present differently in older adults. A medical professional may […]
Safe disposal of “sharps”
Home management of a chronic illness often requires the use of needles or lances. You may need to give your family member shots. Or draw drops of blood for testing. All these procedures involve the use of what are known as “sharps.” Needles, infusion sets, and other systems for giving drugs or withdrawing fluids […]
Engaging activities for dementia
If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or another dementia, you may wonder what you can do to keep their life lively and boredom at bay. There are likely more options than you realize! The first step is to reflect on your relative’s history and hobbies. They’ll engage best with activities that fit with their identity […]
Heart attack warning signs
Heart attacks don’t always look like what you’d expect. While you might imagine a person collapsing with intense chest pain, that may not at all resemble what happens. It is true that the most common heart attack symptom for a man or woman is chest pain or discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes. But […]
Fire escape planning for older adults
Creating a fire escape plan is smart for everyone but essential for older adults, who are at greater risk during a fire. Planning in advance can make all the difference. Consider the living situation. Ideally, your loved one would live, or at least sleep, on the ground floor. If your relative lives in a […]