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January 04, 2020
Have you wondered what the symptoms are of the coronavirus? You’re not alone! It seems COVID-19 is all we’ve heard about for the last three months each time you turn on the TV or listen to the news. It’s important to know what to look for, who is more vulnerable, and what ...
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January 03, 2020
These are scary times, but as with any type of pandemic, knowledge is power. How do you cope with COVID-19 as a senior? We have some tips for you that will leave you empowered and encouraged, so keep reading!Everyone needs social time with loved ones, yet it seems that is exactl...
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April 01, 2017
April is the time of year when many of us begin to transition our entertaining and family gatherings to the outdoors. Having adjusted to the time change and the lengthening days, people in this part of the world feel the call of the wild – or at least the patio or deck – for...
Read More
Senior Care
January 04, 2020
Have you wondered what the symptoms are of the coronavirus? You’re not alone! It seems COVID-19 is all we’ve heard about for the last three months each time you turn on the TV or listen to the news. It’s important to know what to look for, who is more vulnerable, and what ...
Read More
January 03, 2020
Caregivers these days suffer from something known as compassion fatigue and burnout. While you may not have heard these terms before, they are very real, and you might identify with them as we continue to live in a state of emergency due to Covid-19. Just how do you stay positiv...
Read More
January 03, 2020
These are scary times, but as with any type of pandemic, knowledge is power. How do you cope with COVID-19 as a senior? We have some tips for you that will leave you empowered and encouraged, so keep reading!Everyone needs social time with loved ones, yet it seems that is exactl...
Read More
January 03, 2020
How to Protect Yourself from CoronavirusOf people who are at risk, seniors and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease are at the highest level of vulnerability to the virus. This higher risk is mainly due to compromised immune system...
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January 03, 2020
Although dementia is most commonly diagnosed in seniors, it can also happen to middle-aged people, as well as those who have suffered a brain injury. Many people still go on to live long lives after diagnosis, so it’s important to understand the condition and how you can treat...
Read More
January 02, 2020
Are you one of the millions of Americans who think that tumbles and falls are just par for the course in older adults? The truth is, falling can be devastating for seniors and should be prevented at all costs. It’s not normal to fall and no matter how old you are, there are th...
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January 02, 2020
Did you know that a diet high in protein is incredibly important for seniors? Protein is particularly important right before medical procedures or surgery and can help the healing time during an acute illness when the body doesn’t digest protein as easily. For our seniors, the...
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January 02, 2020
It is never easy to have a conversation with a senior loved one that has to do with giving up the keys to the car for good. After all, driving represents independence and freedom for most people, so it can be really difficult to know when the time is right to ask your loved one ...
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January 02, 2020
Your heart is where your life is! A healthy heart beats between 60-90 beats per minute and that may slow down a little as we age. That means your heart could eat more than 140,000 times each day! It’s crazy to think that the organ we depend on for the very breath of life is th...
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January 01, 2020
Everyone loves to share memories, but there’s something extra special about sharing and talking about memories made many years back. For seniors who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, memories are especially special because the disease robs them of the ability to h...
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January 01, 2020
These days it seems that robocalls are just a part of daily life that we have to contend with. While it might seem easy to you and I to read through the calls and emails that are obvious scams, it’s not always so easy for seniors. They may not deal with technology enough to re...
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January 01, 2020
If you are feeling a bit guilty when it comes to taking care of your older loved ones, you are not alone. Negative emotions are quite common as you walk the caregiving process, and it’s important to know what to do with those emotions as they come up.On top of feeling negative...
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January 12, 2019
Seniors often have a difficult time during the holiday season, but especially when it comes to New Year’s Eve. There are always fun activities and parties as we bring in the new year, and your senior loved ones may feel a bit down when they can’t party as the once did. The g...
Read More
January 12, 2019
“Holiday blues” among seniors is very real and should be handled carefully. Older adults often have emotional, mental, and physical needs not taken into account during the holidays, and it can be a difficult time for them. While there are several things that can influence th...
Read More
January 12, 2019
It can be a bit more challenging to help a patient with Alzheimer’s continue to enjoy things they once enjoyed before this life-altering diagnosis. After all, we all need a sense of community and fellowship with friends in order to maintain a sense of well-being and peace. Whi...
Read More
January 12, 2019
It can be a tough decision to move an aging parent into your home, but once the decision is made, there are some things you can do to make the process as easy as possible. Here are some tips to help you plan for the big move.Assess the Way They Currently LiveYou may not notice c...
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January 11, 2019
Did you know that nearly half of all senior adults over the age of 65 need some type of assistance daily? It’s true. As many as 70% of seniors will need a caregiver at some point as they continue to age. One of the biggest challenges with caregiving is how to know when it’s ...
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January 09, 2019
We all know that a lifestyle of a good diet and regular exercise is the prescription for better health as we age, but did you know that sitting too much can also be a problem?It’s true. Doctors are finding more and more that sitting for too many hours a day can be linked to he...
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January 06, 2019
Research shows that seniors today have more access than ever to the internet. This includes the use of smartphones, tablets and even computers. As technology becomes easier to use, there have been many devices that have specifically marketed to the senior generation, in hopes th...
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January 05, 2019
Sights, Scents, and Sounds Help Bring Memories to MindEverybody complains of memory loss as we grow older. Whether we’re looking for car keys, important paperwork or trying to remember someone’s name, it seems we have had to accept that memory loss just comes with the aging ...
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January 04, 2019
Did you know that heart disease kills more people than any other condition in the United States? While there can be genetic risk factors that increase your odds of developing heart disease, most often it is brought on by lifestyle choices that can be corrected. With one in four ...
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January 02, 2019
Just the thought of a senior loved one developing Alzheimer’s or dementia can be frightening. We have pretty much been told nowadays that Alzheimer’s reduces people down to nothing more than a shell of what they used to be. Family and caretakers often feel they have to just ...
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January 02, 2019
We all know that exercise is super important for our health, but did you ever stop to think about the heart benefits as we grow older? It’s especially true of seniors. Even mild to moderate exercise in seniors can help them prevent stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressur...
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January 01, 2019
If you get the winter blues each year, it might be more than just an emotional slump that comes on when it gets cold. Millions of seniors are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder every year, causing depression and sadness that is tough to shake. This can especially be true fo...
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January 01, 2019
We all get a little anxious at times. That just comes with being human! But what about senior adults? Do they deal with more anxiety than usual? How do you help them work through their anxiety? Read on.What Is Anxiety?True anxiety disorders can be very debilitating. There’s qu...
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January 11, 2018
It’s no secret that physical activity is a huge benefit to people of all ages, especially seniors. The hard facts of scientific research show that exercise WILL improve overall health! These benefits of good health can come with even a small amount of exercise, no matter how o...
Read More
January 10, 2018
As you begin to move into your senior years, choosing healthy food is a smart thing to do. No matter how old you are, making good choices is the best thing you can do. When you approach the age of 60, your body begins to change, and your metabolism slows down. The food you eat i...
Read More
January 09, 2018
Did you know that drinking caffeine can lower the risk for Alzheimer’s Disease? For many years it has been thought that consuming caffeine has a negative impact on one’s health, but in recent years it’s now becoming clear that drinking coffee in moderate amounts is indeed ...
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January 09, 2018
Did you know that stroke is now one of the leading causes of death in the US, coming in at number five? It’s estimated that nearly a million people will have a stroke this year. But here’s the good news: up to 80% of all strokes are preventable! The National Stroke Associati...
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January 08, 2018
There are a lot of scenarios where home care may be warranted. Whether it’s a parent, a child with disabilities or perhaps you yourself need to research options for a long-term condition. Maybe an ailing loved one is going to be moving into your home and you’re wondering if ...
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January 07, 2018
All of us need close friends, no matter how old we are! Life can be tough and there’s no better way to face the challenges it brings than having a group of friends you can count on and even gain wisdom from. This is certainly true for seniors as well, and possibly even more im...
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January 07, 2018
Although nominations don’t open until July 25 at ExceptionalCaregiverAwards.com, I’m already excited that the upcoming nomination period is upon us. That’s because soon I’ll have the opportunity to read about the outstanding work being done by independently owned an...
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January 04, 2018
Working at Home Helpers of Altoona (Pennsylvania), Jeff Householder is a beloved “Mr. Fix-It” who is not only adept at fixing motors and mechanical objects, but also volatile situations that, left unattended, could spiral out of control.Originally assigned to work ...
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April 01, 2017
April is the time of year when many of us begin to transition our entertaining and family gatherings to the outdoors. Having adjusted to the time change and the lengthening days, people in this part of the world feel the call of the wild – or at least the patio or deck – for...
Read More
March 01, 2017
We start Daylight Savings Time again this week in most of the United States. This semiannual ritual is a nuisance (springing forward costs us an hour of sleep) or a blessing (falling back lets us catch up on rest at least a little), depending on where we are in the cyc...
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March 01, 2017
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. Whil...
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February 01, 2017
February is American Heart Month, but heart health should never be taken for granted. In addition to the obvious effect of heart and circulatory conditions on the length of our lives, blood pressure and other circulatory issues as well as heart attacks and heart failure, dramati...
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January 12, 2017
One of the rituals of family gatherings is the group photo. Parents wrangle the young ones into standing still and making a normal expression (real smiles, please) just long enough for Aunt Betty to click the shutter. Another entry for the family album.A generation ago, camera a...
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January 10, 2017
October 15 is White Cane Safety Day in the United States, an occasion to celebrate the equality of blind Americans and to affirm our commitment to their right to independence.Caregivers often encounter families with one or more members experiencing a profound loss of vision. Wit...
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January 10, 2017
It’s unfortunate, but too many of us still have a reflex reaction to caregiving for seniors as a sort of binary decision: Either Mom or Dad is fine on their own, or they need round-the-clock support.The fact is their care need is most likely an accommodating continuum and unde...
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November 01, 2016
A newborn’s homecoming is often preceded by a frenzy of childproofing. However, caregivers often do not see to seniorproofing the home until after a scare or injury occurs. Or they are not sure how to go about making the home a safe environment for aging loved ones, especially...
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September 01, 2016
Approximately seven million Americans, many of them seniors, develop delirium during hospital stays annually. Although Delirium has no age restriction, those 65 or older are at the highest risk.Delirium can cause lack of focus, delusions, and frightening hallucinations. These sy...
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September 01, 2016
It’s reasonable to keep your aging parents at home as long as you can do so without endangering yourself or them. Many caregivers run themselves ragged trying to keep loved ones, especially seniors, out of assisted living or nursing facilities. Caregiver burnout is common, as ...
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August 01, 2016
Family Caregivers vs. DenialWhen family members refuse to face the fact that their aging loved one needs help, they can create anger, stress, and frustration for family caregivers. Whether it’s a mental or physical need, or both, it’s crucial that their seniors get the care ...
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May 01, 2016
How to Choose a Home Care Aide for Your ParentThe key to finding the right home care agency is knowing the level of care needed by your parent. There are essentially two categories of in-home care: custodial care and skilled care. Custodial care includes help with shopping, hous...
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Caregivers
January 03, 2020
How to Protect Yourself from CoronavirusOf people who are at risk, seniors and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease are at the highest level of vulnerability to the virus. This higher risk is mainly due to compromised immune system...
Read More
January 03, 2020
Caregivers these days suffer from something known as compassion fatigue and burnout. While you may not have heard these terms before, they are very real, and you might identify with them as we continue to live in a state of emergency due to Covid-19. Just how do you stay positiv...
Read More
January 01, 2020
If you are feeling a bit guilty when it comes to taking care of your older loved ones, you are not alone. Negative emotions are quite common as you walk the caregiving process, and it’s important to know what to do with those emotions as they come up.On top of feeling negative...
Read More
January 11, 2018
If you are a caregiver for a loved one in your family, you already know that outside opinions and criticisms seem to come with the job. Dealing with it can be tough and not taking it personally is even tougher. This is especially true when others voice opinions about how you sho...
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January 04, 2018
Working at Home Helpers of Altoona (Pennsylvania), Jeff Householder is a beloved “Mr. Fix-It” who is not only adept at fixing motors and mechanical objects, but also volatile situations that, left unattended, could spiral out of control.Originally assigned to work ...
Read More
January 12, 2017
If you’re like me, every December you get a ton of free advice about what should be on your list of New Year’s resolutions ranging from the obvious to the impossible. Well, here’s mine.I hope these are different from some of the other recommendations you’re getting in th...
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June 01, 2016
Caregivers undergo a lot of stress: it is unpredictable, the workload can be immense and dealing with the individual, the family and your own personal needs can feel like the world is collapsing around you. Whether you’re a professional or just someone who needs to take care o...
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Dementia
January 03, 2020
If you have a loved one with dementia, you probably already know how frustrating it can be to communicate sometimes. Limited understanding and cognitive decline can be very overwhelming for both the patient and the caregiver, but there are ways to make it easier. Here are some t...
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January 03, 2020
Although dementia is most commonly diagnosed in seniors, it can also happen to middle-aged people, as well as those who have suffered a brain injury. Many people still go on to live long lives after diagnosis, so it’s important to understand the condition and how you can treat...
Read More
January 01, 2020
Everyone loves to share memories, but there’s something extra special about sharing and talking about memories made many years back. For seniors who suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, memories are especially special because the disease robs them of the ability to h...
Read More
January 12, 2019
It can be a bit more challenging to help a patient with Alzheimer’s continue to enjoy things they once enjoyed before this life-altering diagnosis. After all, we all need a sense of community and fellowship with friends in order to maintain a sense of well-being and peace. Whi...
Read More
January 03, 2019
Dementia is a condition that happens in the brain and is often marked by memory loss and confusion. It affects mostly seniors and can make normal tasks difficult to perform as it progresses. The most important thing to do for both the patient and the family is to find the best m...
Read More
January 11, 2018
It’s no secret that physical activity is a huge benefit to people of all ages, especially seniors. The hard facts of scientific research show that exercise WILL improve overall health! These benefits of good health can come with even a small amount of exercise, no matter how o...
Read More
August 01, 2016
Taking care of seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, though rewarding, can be very frustrating prospect. Seniors often repeat requests to go “home” even while still living in their own homes.They can get frustrated and agitated when they feel no one is listening to their r...
Read More
Health and Wellness
January 02, 2020
Did you know that a diet high in protein is incredibly important for seniors? Protein is particularly important right before medical procedures or surgery and can help the healing time during an acute illness when the body doesn’t digest protein as easily. For our seniors, the...
Read More
January 09, 2019
We all know that a lifestyle of a good diet and regular exercise is the prescription for better health as we age, but did you know that sitting too much can also be a problem?It’s true. Doctors are finding more and more that sitting for too many hours a day can be linked to he...
Read More
January 02, 2019
We all know that exercise is super important for our health, but did you ever stop to think about the heart benefits as we grow older? It’s especially true of seniors. Even mild to moderate exercise in seniors can help them prevent stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressur...
Read More
January 10, 2018
As you begin to move into your senior years, choosing healthy food is a smart thing to do. No matter how old you are, making good choices is the best thing you can do. When you approach the age of 60, your body begins to change, and your metabolism slows down. The food you eat i...
Read More
January 09, 2018
Did you know that drinking caffeine can lower the risk for Alzheimer’s Disease? For many years it has been thought that consuming caffeine has a negative impact on one’s health, but in recent years it’s now becoming clear that drinking coffee in moderate amounts is indeed ...
Read More
March 01, 2017
We start Daylight Savings Time again this week in most of the United States. This semiannual ritual is a nuisance (springing forward costs us an hour of sleep) or a blessing (falling back lets us catch up on rest at least a little), depending on where we are in the cyc...
Read More
February 01, 2017
February is American Heart Month, but heart health should never be taken for granted. In addition to the obvious effect of heart and circulatory conditions on the length of our lives, blood pressure and other circulatory issues as well as heart attacks and heart failure, dramati...
Read More
November 01, 2016
A serious respiratory infection is a dreaded complication for the elderly. Here’s 5 tips to help you with this responsibility.It seems that as the climate changes in the fall, and in many parts of the country, it’s much cooler and even wetter, we begin to hear lots about sta...
Read More
Alzheimers
January 01, 2020
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be frightening to everyone. Not only does it create memory loss, but also makes any communication at all very difficult as the disease progresses. If you have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, we know this can be a scary time, s...
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January 12, 2019
Alzheimer’s Disease presents many challenges, not the least of which is something called sundowning—a period in the late day/early evening when agitation or irritability can set in for no apparent reason. Confusion tends to worsen as the sun goes down, hence the name. The re...
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January 12, 2019
It can be a bit more challenging to help a patient with Alzheimer’s continue to enjoy things they once enjoyed before this life-altering diagnosis. After all, we all need a sense of community and fellowship with friends in order to maintain a sense of well-being and peace. Whi...
Read More
January 02, 2019
Just the thought of a senior loved one developing Alzheimer’s or dementia can be frightening. We have pretty much been told nowadays that Alzheimer’s reduces people down to nothing more than a shell of what they used to be. Family and caretakers often feel they have to just ...
Read More
April 01, 2017
When most people think of Alzheimer’s Disease, they think of memory loss, inability to recognize family members and basically just being a shell of who they used to be. The good news is that there is more hope than ever for treating this awful disease! It’s important to lear...
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October 01, 2016
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 mi...
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August 01, 2016
Taking care of seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, though rewarding, can be very frustrating prospect. Seniors often repeat requests to go “home” even while still living in their own homes.They can get frustrated and agitated when they feel no one is listening to their r...
Read More
July 01, 2016
Alzheimer’s Disease is a condition that doesn’t just affect one individual but the entire family including those tasked with caregiving. Aside from the pain the individual is going through, his/her family has to deal with the grief and difficulty of watching someone they lov...
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Holiday Season
January 12, 2019
“Holiday blues” among seniors is very real and should be handled carefully. Older adults often have emotional, mental, and physical needs not taken into account during the holidays, and it can be a difficult time for them. While there are several things that can influence th...
Read More
January 12, 2019
Seniors often have a difficult time during the holiday season, but especially when it comes to New Year’s Eve. There are always fun activities and parties as we bring in the new year, and your senior loved ones may feel a bit down when they can’t party as the once did. The g...
Read More
January 12, 2017
If you’re like me, every December you get a ton of free advice about what should be on your list of New Year’s resolutions ranging from the obvious to the impossible. Well, here’s mine.I hope these are different from some of the other recommendations you’re getting in th...
Read More
Veterans
January 05, 2018
Memorial Day is often referred to as the unofficial start of summer. By the time it hits each May, the thermometer has risen to a level where the low temperature each day would be welcome in December. It’s a holiday weekend, so most of us are able to enjoy three days away from...
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May 01, 2017
Memorial Day weekend is a time when officially we stop to remember those who have sacrificed their lives in the service of their country. As I have noted previously, this special day is a very emotional time for those of us who have lost family members to the defense of our nati...
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News
August 01, 2017
In-home caregivers and their families share many experiences, but for each, the journey is unique. Among those who care for older loved ones, there is perhaps no more emotionally challenging experience than caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.That’s one o...
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Senior Safety
November 01, 2016
A serious respiratory infection is a dreaded complication for the elderly. Here’s 5 tips to help you with this responsibility.It seems that as the climate changes in the fall, and in many parts of the country, it’s much cooler and even wetter, we begin to hear lots about sta...
Read More