Community Blog

Understanding the Hidden Costs for Caregivers

Caregivers are a special breed. They are driven by love and a sense of responsibility. It quickly becomes apparent that a lot of cost can go into being a caregiver and many people assume it’s much less expensive to be a caregiver than to utilize outside professional help. While senior care facilities have their own...

Signs Your Elderly Loved One Is Hiding Dementia

If you find yourself with an aging parent who has more than their share of “senior moments” it may be time to look at the possibility of diseases such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, both of which are characterized by memory loss. It’s important to know the ways that many elderly people might try to hide...

Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Becoming a Caregiver to Aging Parents

If you are considering becoming a caretaker for your aging parents or other family member, there are a few questions you should ask yourself in preparation for this important role. It can be very demanding, but also wonderfully rewarding. Many of us have parents who have reached the place where they need some extra help...

How to Find a Home Care Helper for Your Aging Parent

The key to choosing the ideal home care agency is knowing the amount of care needed by your mother or father. There are primarily two categories of in-home care: custodial care and professional care. Custodial care includes help with shopping, housekeeping, preparing meals, and also personal care like dressing, feeding and bathing. Skilled care, on...

Tips on Communicating with a Loved One with Dementia

It can be painful, even frightening, to watch the deterioration of the once-bright and active mind of a family member suffering with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. What can begin as simple forgetfulness can slowly turn into serious and extreme impairment and as it progresses, our loved one’s ability to function independently disappears, as well as...

Why Women Are More Prone To Alzheimer’s

A study of caregivers and Alzheimer’s disease show that women are diagnosed more often for the disease than men. This is evident from a 2011 report published by the Alzheimer’s Association which indicates that of the 5.4 million Americans with Alzheimer’s, more than 3.4 million are women. The Gender Discrepancy ExplainedThere are many possible explanations...

Why Seniors Need a Living Will

No one wants to talk about end of life issues. Especially if those issues involve a beloved aging senior who isn’t near the end of his life. But no matter how hesitant family members might be to broach the subject, either because they find the subject awkward or in poor taste, it’s crucial that a...

Memory Loss – Senior Moment or Alzheimer’s Indicator?

The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia is forgetfulness, but not all instances of memory loss or forgetfulness is a sign of the disease. So how can you tell the difference between dementia and normal memory lapses due to aging? While the differences can be subtle, there are ways of detecting it. Signs...

How to Have an End-of-Life Conversation with Seniors

No one wants to think about their aging loved one’s end-of-life. Many view bringing up the subject as tacky or disrespectful. Some equate it with appearing greedy or trying to edge out other family from the decision-making process. Others even see it as bad luck. But planning ahead for seniors’ final time on earth is...