Caregiving
Can a doll really help someone with Alzheimer’s disease? You may be shocked to learn that yes, for many living with dementia, a doll or other soft lovey can be very calming and even provide a sense of purpose and belonging. We were excited to see this article in Today that explored the impact a…
Read MoreCaregivers commonly have feelings of loss and grief as their life is changed by Alzheimer’s. You are entitled to these emotions and may start to experience them as soon as you learn of the diagnosis. Share your feelings and seek support as you go through this process, as it is normal to feel loss when…
Read MoreHappiness starts early; it is not something you try to begin as you enter your elder years. Growing research shows that people who are generous live longer, have fewer diseases and are happier. Working to increase the strengths of wisdom, generosity and gratitude when we’re young will keep us from feeling so alone when we…
Read MoreThe Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act has been signed into law on January 22, 2018. The RAISE Family Caregivers Act will address the needs of our nation’s family caregivers through the development and implementation of a coordinated national strategy. The new law directs the Department of Health and Human Services…
Read MoreMany people who are near the end of life wait too long to enter hospice care, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. In hospice care, attempts to cure a disease are usually replaced with treatments solely for pain and suffering, delivered by a specialized team. It usually…
Read MoreRetirees have been hearing a steady drumbeat of warnings about the threat of high long-term health care expenses. Many articles about long-term care discuss strategies from the perspective of retirees who eventually might need care near the end of their lives. These articles encourage retirees to take responsible steps to pay and arrange for care,…
Read MoreThe holiday season is often a stressful time for those with dementia and their caregivers. The celebrations, decorated spaces, visitors, and interruptions in routine can leave those with dementia feeling agitated, confused and overstimulated. The caregivers are often frustrated and anxious. The Alzheimer’s Association offers the following guidelines to minimize discomfort during this time of…
Read MoreRemodel, accommodate, share, prepare, budget – these are just the beginning concerns to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for the move-in. Setting expectations about private versus shared areas of the home, determining who is in charge and what the financial expectations are will have to be immediately determined. Some initial objectives include providing the proper…
Read MoreThe largest categories of American’s fastest-growing jobs offer some of the country’s lowest wages and weakest benefits. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an increase of 1.2 million jobs for home health and personal care aides over the next ten years. By 2026, the home health aide industry will add 425,600 positions, an increase…
Read MoreSignificant emotions are involved when helping to accommodate a life change for a loved one. Some ways to ease the transition involve not only the person who will have a life changing event but most likely the entire family. Planning at the early stages of dementia can help establish concerns and fears to be dealt…
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