Caregiving
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 for an aging parent. Taking care of elderly parents can…
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 just getting by with the on-site meals and regular housekeeping;…
We are an elder care law firm, but we work with individuals and family members of any age who are dealing with a debilitating disease and are in need of long term care. Unfortunately, over the last 5 years we have seen an increasing number of families come to us because their spouse, mother,…
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 internship, I realized that I wanted to become a hospice…
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…
Caregivers 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…
Happiness 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…
The 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…
Many 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…
Retirees 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,…
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