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…
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…
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…
Did you know that elder financial exploitation was one of the top 10 consumer scams targeting seniors in 2017? In fact, the SEC reports that seniors who develop Alzheimer’s or other neurocognitive diseases are most vulnerable to financial exploitation. In this article, we explore 5 constructive ways to stop the financial exploitation of seniors in…
Seniors often have a difficult time adjusting to the reality of aging. As a caregiver, you are responsible for filling in the gaps and protecting your loved one’s interests. You are certainly energized and ready for the task. Yet, you find yourself grappling with increasing challenges in a daily battle for normalcy. The roles have…
Depression affects people of all ages and does not care whether you are 18 or 80. However, many do not realize how many seniors struggle with depression. Unfortunately, signs of elderly depression are frequently attributed to other conditions. As a result, elderly depression goes undiagnosed. If you believe a senior you know is suffering from…
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) was formally described and named as a component of depression in 1984 by Norman Rosenthal, M.D. and his colleagues at the National Institute of Mental Health. It is estimated that as many as 9 percent of individuals living in the Northern Hemisphere experience some symptoms of SAD during the winter months.…