Your grown children may not want to talk about your end-of-life, but they will thank you when the time comes. It is a subject too often avoided and yet not preparing for your own death is a burden you are passing on to your grown children.…
Category: Older Adults
Finding the Right Nursing Home in Metro Atlanta
Most families are shocked when they find out how difficult it can be to find a nursing home bed for their loved one in the Metro Atlanta area—much less a bed in the right nursing home. The Metro Atlanta area has a shortage of long-term…
Elder Loneliness and Isolation
Many older adults find themselves in this cycle of compounded loss, but it should never be considered the norm for this stage of life.Loneliness and social isolation are now believed to be as dangerous to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and surpass the mortality…
Caring for a Parent Who Didn't Care for You
Many of the families we work with share a positive, symbiotic relationship with their relatives. We hear stories of healthy, nurturing childhoods, supportive young adult periods, and caring late-life phases. These memories help give steam to adult child caregivers facing the tough job of caring…
You have a plan for your parents but how do you make them move?
Last week I talked to a woman about her aging parents. They are living in an apartment in the independent-living section of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). Her 89-year-old dad is blind, and her 87-year-old mom has dementia. According to the daughter, they are…
Seeking Professional Guidance--Michelle's Story of Family Caregiving
By: Michelle Allen, LCSW My journey into this field began 15 years ago when I interned with Haven House Hospice. I felt at ease working with folks nearing the end of life and felt drawn to the other professionals engaged in this work. During my…
Depression in Older Adults
Dr. Sarah Yarry, licensed clinical psychologist specializing in gerontology, reports: “Often in older adults, when they’re depressed, you don’t see high levels of crying and sadness you might see in a younger adult; you see it more often as withdrawal – apathy, hopelessness, loss of…
Understanding Guardianships: How long do guardianships take to get? How long do they last?
Each county has a Probate Court that handles their resident’s guardianship hearings. Generally speaking, it can take over a month to complete the entire process of filing, serving, evaluating, and holding the hearing to have a guardian appointed. The length of time really depends on…
Risk Factors for Dementia
Snoring – Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – Breathing starts and stops, already linked to high blood pressure and heart disease, may also be tied to poorer cognitive performance and an increased risk of dementia. By treating OSA the risk may be lowered. Drinking diet soda…
Understanding Guardianships: There are Risks with Pursuing Guardianship
The decision to pursue guardianship should not be taken lightly. There are real risks with pursuing guardianship: -The guardianship process requires you to say things about your loved one in open court and often in front of your loved one. Telling a judge that you…