Aging is a natural part of life. Yet, our cultural obsession with youth and beauty increases our collective anxieties about it. Today, retailers make millions of dollars from beauty products that promise to delay the inevitable. Sure, Cranford seniors want to look good and feel good. However, many more in Bergen, Essex and Morris are concerned…
Still Need to Say, “Wash Your Hands!” More than 150 years after the discovery of the germ theory, we are still harping on the directive your mother always screamed at you to do – “wash your hands!” The following Wall Street Journal article, “Why Hospitals Want Patients to Ask Doctors, ‘Have You Washed Your Hands?’”,…
Loss in the Elderly A recent New York Times article, “Aging and the Art of Losing” is quite poignant. Dr. Ariel Green, a geriatrician, details all elderly loss. Sadly, this population experiences loss on many levels. Loss ranges from the loss of weight to the loss of loved ones. Other losses include the loss of bodily functions,…
For many caregivers, it is in their very nature to care selflessly for another, putting their own needs, feelings, and problems aside to ensure the safety and healing of their loved one or friend. But, too often, caregivers reach damaging and unhealthy levels of stress before they come to the point of reaching out for…
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic condition, and to date, there is no cure. But, that doesn’t mean that your loved one can’t still live a full life. Adapting your home for Parkinson’s to make it easier for your loved one to move around and perform daily activities is so important. It will go a long…
As the leaves turn and winter approaches, many of us anticipate the holiday season with joy. We reminisce about the year and look forward to family gatherings. We also browse the Internet for gift ideas, thumb through our favorite recipes, and put on holiday music. Yet, for many, the holiday season inspires loneliness, sadness, and…
Many of us saw our parents as superheroes during our childhoods. They were there when we needed them. They kissed away our cuts and scrapes, destroyed scary shadows, and fought the boogie man. We never imagined anything could defeat them. Then we grew up, and our parents got older. Now, it’s time for us to…
When a stroke occurs, time spent in the hospital amounts to mere moments compared to what can be a lengthy and challenging recovery process. A stroke can change your loved one’s life in the blink of an eye. Suddenly normal, everyday activities become impossible for the stroke survivor to do alone. Furthermore, living arrangements, too,…
You probably know somebody who has taken on the role of caregiver, or you might be one yourself. This means you know firsthand how much time goes into the labor of love that is caregiving; time that can eventually drain a person’s physical and mental well-being if it isn’t balanced by activities that keep the…
Touch is an important part of life. Our well-being is often facilitated by compassionate human contact. However, our modern world overwhelmingly imbues touch with sexual connotations. As such, we have marginalized platonic touch in our daily lives. In this article, we will explore the importance of touch for seniors in Essex County. The Importance Of…