Many might think that social media is the exclusive domain of the younger generation. However, many of our older adults have enthusiastically adopted it to keep up with the times as well as their old acquaintances and younger family members. Grandparents are becoming proficient in alien things like Skype and Facebook and liking it. Elderly…
Summers often mean “Road Trip”, but getting seniors to give up the keys to their car is no small task and, frankly, I am quite sympathetic to the seniors. After a lifetime of independence, it is yet another degradation they must endure as they age and their faculties wane. Only with this one, it can…
Diagnosis of Dementia A diagnosis of dementia mostly associated with cognitive impairment and memory loss can be such a terrifying prospect that many refuse to confront that reality at all. They prefer to say that confusion is just part of getting older or that everyone forgets things. They blame their forgetfulness on stress or mild…
For many, summer means vacation and fun in the sun. Your elderly loved one need not be left home alone to wait for those “check-in” phone calls from the beach. With proper planning on your part, they can come along and spend precious bonding time with the family, making the getaway truly unforgettable. After doing…
With Mother’s Day approaching and May being Older Americans month, I started thinking about caregivers at the beginning and at the end of life, for those young and old. Understandably, people most often associate caregiving with the harried young mother who has no time to shower or get dressed as she feeds, bathes and runs…
Elderly Depression During the Holidays Those of us that work with the elderly approach this time with trepidation. It is a period when they enjoy time with their loved ones, but may mourn all they have lost in terms of loved ones as well as physical capabilities. I have tried to put together some helpful…
Elderly Addiction It’s something that we never associate with the elderly, but it does exist: senior substance abuse. According to the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), this “hidden national epidemic is diagnosed in only 37% of those ages 60+ suffering from addiction. As a result, many organizations have new guidelines…
Discharge Planning Returning home from the hospital can be stressful for the older adult for many reasons. In most cases, the patient has been 100 percent dependent on hospital staff. Understandably, the shift to life at home with less help can be cause for anxiety. While it is a relief to be going home, they…
As most of you are already aware, Ruth Strand, my sister and a founding partner of David York Agency, passed away 3 months ago. I wanted to collect my thoughts before making a formal announcement. We started this as a family run agency. Rest assured, since Ruth retired two years ago, her passing has no…
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR PRINT THIS ARTICLE We’ve heard a lot about eldercare plans, but what are they exactly? Various professionals use the term eldercare plan interchangeably based on what their view of the world is and the services they have to offer. Elder law attorneys view them in terms of legal documents such…