Gerda Saunders served as the University of Utah’s associate director of Gender Studies until she retired in 2011. That year, her colleagues gave her a leather-bound notebook as a farewell gift. Nine months prior to leaving her job, Sanders was diagnosed with cerebral microvascular disease, a precursor of dementia. She was only sixty-one. In her…
Caregivers are the backbone of our society. Today, upwards of 30 million unpaid caregivers provide care to an adult 50 years or older in homes across America. According to AARP, the economic value of caregiving rivals that of Walmart, the world’s largest company. These statistics, however, hide an ugly truth: burnout among caregivers is high…
Dementia is a cruel disease. The often slow descent into irreversible mental decline is horrific and traumatizing. Challenges abound at every stage, and not surprisingly, caregivers are at the forefront of the battle. To make matters worse, there’s no known cure for Alzheimer’s. For caregivers, hope often proves elusive. Fortunately, there are many books on…
For the elderly population, a hospital admission can be life-changing. It is more difficult for people to recover from traumatic events as they age, and a health crisis requiring hospital care often signals a change in the level of support a patient needs. Here is an overview of some of the most common reasons elderly people…
Healthy meals for seniors often feel like a challenge. However, food guru Michael Pollan’s memorable words can be a big help. Make good health simple at any age: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” There’s a great message packed into those short phrases. Essentially, what we eat makes a huge difference in our health.…
According to the US Census Bureau, the aging population is set to double by 2050. Despite the challenges of aging, however, seniors remain a fiercely independent demographic. In fact, many are opting to age in place. Did you know that the fastest growing metro area in the United States is The Villages in Florida? The…
Simple falls can have catastrophic effects on the elderly leading to disabling conditions, extended hospital stays and even death. These falls can be prevented and a good caregiver can minimize any negative long term effects if one does occur. With most falls occurring at home while doing mundane tasks, “elder proofing” homes becomes critical to those…
Ah.. to this there are no easy answers. There are situations where the need to move seniors from their comfortable home is not altogether apparent, nor is its benefits. There is a pervasive attitude that moving a senior brings on Relocation Stress Syndrome and Transfer Trauma. These describe the ill effects of moving on the…
Seniors are often more tech-savvy than they are given credit for. In fact, technology use among seniors has sky-rocketed. Today, seniors live more digitally-connected lives than ever. According to the Pew Research Center, 4 in 10 adults 65 years and older report owning smartphones. Additionally, almost 70% of seniors use the Internet today. That’s a…
With all the focus on developing our own personal fitness plans for the New Year, we forget that our senior loved ones need fitness routines of their own. These need to take into account their specialized needs and deficits. Exercise and seniors is not incompatible. Face the Following Facts: As people age, there is a…