Managing a loved one’s digital life
If your loved one has embraced use of a cell phone, tablet, or other digital device, it has likely facilitated caregiving and communication. In fact, much of your relative’s day-to-day life may happen online. It’s convenient: bills get paid online. Subscriptions renew automatically. Photos live in the cloud. But there’s a downside. If your […]
When you’re a male caregiver, it’s different
If you are a male caring for a family member, you may feel socially isolated in your role. In fact, men represent at least 38% of family caregivers across the nation. You aren’t alone, but you are likely to have different challenges than women do. And, typically, you are also less likely to have sought […]
Help with choosing a hospital
Ever wonder how well your local hospital performs in terms of patient care and safety? Online tools can help you find out. Look to the stars. Medicare gathers hospital data regularly. It posts the information on its Care Compare website. To make comparisons simple, Medicare created a star rating system. Care Compare combines information about […]
Making medical decisions in a crisis
If you are named as healthcare decision maker for your loved one, you may be called upon to make very important decisions on very short notice. At a time like this, it’s easy, and very human, to get caught up in fear. Unfortunately, fear does not make for the best decisions. If you can, […]
Dementia and long-distance caregiving: Staying connected
It’s challenging to live far from a loved one with dementia. You need the eyes and ears of a local “boots-on-the-ground” team to support them. Once that team is in place, it’s important to stay connected with everyone—your relative and the care team members. It’s a juggling act, for sure. Periodic visits, simple technology, and […]
What is bradycardia?
Most adults have a resting heart rate of sixty to one hundred beats per minute. When the heart rate stays below sixty beats per minute, it’s considered slow, or “bradycardia.” (“Tachycardia” is when the heart rate is too fast.) This is an electrical problem in the heart. The heart’s “natural pacemaker,” the sinus node, isn’t […]
Protecting your relationship while caregiving
Reduced leisure time, emotional stress, physical fatigue, financial draws, and loss of privacy are a few of the pressures that strain the marriages and partnerships of those who are also caring for family members. But some couples also report a benefit: caregiving prompted a new kind of teamwork that strengthened their relationship. Here are some […]
The importance of sleep
When your schedule gets tight, is sleep one of the first things to go? According to the experts, that’s all too common. And it makes about as much sense as deciding to do without food, air, or water. Sleep is that essential. Most adults need six to eight hours of sleep per night. Sleep […]
Age-related macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a very common condition affecting the retina of the eye. It causes blurry vision and dark spots in the center of the visual field. This makes it challenging to read, drive, and recognize faces. Although AMD typically gets worse over time, it does not lead to total blindness. It is, […]
The brain-healthy plate
Who doesn’t want to avoid dementia? Evidence is accumulating that many aspects of lifestyle affect brain health and cognition. One important factor is diet, and research suggests that the “MIND diet” may significantly influence brain health. The MIND diet combines the best of the Mediterranean diet—plenty of vegetables, olive oil, fish, and whole grains—with […]