Cooking Up a Great Relationship

Posted by Steve Toll, care enhancement specialist on June 17, 2019 at 8:00 AM

There is nothing more satisfying than a home-cooked meal with friends and family. I have some fond memories of watching my mother prepare the family meal and smelling the delightful aromas that made my mouth water. I could not help sneaking a taste when Mom wasn’t looking. Of course, Mom knew exactly what I was doing, and she started to encourage my tasting behavior. She also started to ask me to help her with meal preparations and as I became more involved, asking questions, tasting and making flavor adjustments, I was learning to cook and having a lot of fun.

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Topics: Caregiving, Alzheimer's and Dementia, Activities and Lifestyle

Area Agencies on Aging — The In-Home Support Option You Might Not of Heard Of

Posted by Jake Baker, MM, BSN, RN, clinical informatics specialist on June 10, 2019 at 8:00 AM

When most of us think of AAA, we think of car insurance and roadside assistance, but another AAA that you may not be aware of is your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA).

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Topics: Aging, Caregiving, Healthy Living

Problem Gambling and Older Adults

Posted by Haley Kotwicki on June 3, 2019 at 8:00 AM

When I would visit my grandma at her retirement community, I would watch the parade of little white busses shuttling residents from one day-trip to the next.

My parents joined her for one of the casino outings.

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Topics: Caregiving, Alzheimer's and Dementia, Finances, Activities and Lifestyle

Creating a Safe Environment for Aging Loved Ones

Posted by Steve Toll, care enhancement specialist on May 21, 2019 at 8:00 AM

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, safety is the second tier of the pyramid just above the need for food and water. It is defined as “protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear.” When we think of creating a safe environment for our loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, the focus tends to be on elements of the physical environment that may be dangerous, but we often overlook the psychological aspects of feeling safe.

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Topics: Fall Prevention, Caregiving, Alzheimer's and Dementia

Hoarding Is Hazardous for Your Older Loved One - Part 2

Posted by Haley Kotwicki on May 14, 2019 at 8:00 AM

In a previous post, we discussed the clinical definition and dangers of hoarding disorder (HD). If you are unsure if your loved one has HD, the International OCD Foundation says the key feature of HD is disorganization to the point where the living spaces can no longer be used for everyday activities as they were intended.

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Topics: Aging, Fall Prevention, Caregiving, Healthy Living

Mother's Day: Honoring the Women in Our Lives

Posted by ComForCare on May 9, 2019 at 9:00 AM

To the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and all other female figures in our lives who love and encourage us, we say a collective thank you.

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Topics: Aging, Caregiving, Holidays

How to Not Become Your Parents’ Parent

Posted by Haley Kotwicki on May 7, 2019 at 2:00 PM

When someone who has raised you (whether a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) begins to decline mentally and physically, it can be frightening and troubling. The person who guided you through all the unfamiliar stages in life now needs you to guide them; your hero needs a hero. This role reversal is becoming extremely common as seniors are living longer. About 30% of middle-aged adults with at least one parent age 65 or older said a parent needs help handling their affairs or caring for themselves. Many adult children will need to prepare to assume a new role in their parents’ lives.

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Topics: Aging, Caregiving

Hoarding Is Hazardous for Your Older Loved One - Part 1

Posted by Haley Kotwicki on April 3, 2019 at 3:00 PM

While my grandma lived at her home, my mother and I would make it a point to stop by at least twice a week to help with the light cleaning, such as dusting and vacuuming. The underlying clutter we mostly left untouched until after my grandma died. What we found was amazing: a jar full of matches from various establishments, some ancient crackers and so on. I know, the situation could have been more challenging – she could have been hoarding.

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Topics: Aging, Fall Prevention, Caregiving, Healthy Living

Respite Care – Giving Family Caregivers the Break They Deserve

Posted by Anne Hein on March 5, 2019 at 9:30 AM

It’s estimated nearly 44 million Americans are family caregivers, which means they provide unpaid care to a family member, friend or neighbor. That adds up to 37 billion hours of care each year.

While caring for a loved one can be a meaningful and rewarding experience, it also can be an emotionally and physically demanding job.

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Topics: Caregiving

Pets for Seniors: Animals Can Make Older Adults Happier and Healthier

Posted by Haley Kotwicki on March 5, 2019 at 9:00 AM

 

For older adults who live alone or have lost their spouse, pets can be excellent companions. When my grandfather passed away, my grandmother adopted two blue baby parakeets named Heckle and Jeckle. Although they screeched incessantly, they gave her purpose, and she adored them. She would wake up early to feed them their seed, she would sing to them and every few weeks she would drive to the pet store to buy them more perches, bells, etc.  She was overjoyed when she thought Heckle was going to lay eggs and rushed to get a nesting box (Heckle never laid the eggs because he was just a very chubby boy.)

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Topics: Aging, Home Care Planning, Caregiving, Activities and Lifestyle

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