Free and Unbiased Information Blog Focused on Helping The Aging

An 88-year-old woman is one of the latest victims of the sweepstakes scam. She lost $160,000 in order to get the millions the scammer claimed she’d won through the Publishers Clearing House. She’s not alone. This scam has been around for years and has affected tens of thousands. Be aware of the six signs of a scam to avoid losing money. The Caller Insists You Not Tell Anyone In a scam, the caller will insist that you cannot tell anyone. This is more likely to happen with the grandparent scam. The caller will say that the grandchild’s parents cannot know. Secrecy is important to the “grandchild.” If your parents are told not to tell anyone, it’s very likely a scam. Your parents should immediately report the scam to local authorities or the FTC at 1-877-382-4357. The Contact Arrives Out of the Blue A scam is going to start with a random call, email, or unsolicited mailer. Your parents didn’t enter a contest. It could be a scammer posing as a police officer, IRS representative, or ...

Samvedna Senior Care Foundation organized a free Eye Screening Camp and Awareness Talk at its Gurgaon centre on 1st November 2019 for its members and patrons. The speaker for the talk was Dr. WangChuk Doma , Senior Consultant, Shroff Eye Centre, Gurgaon and expert on comprehensive Ophthalmology and Pediatric Ophthalmology. A number of elderly from Gurgaon and Delhi attended the talk followed by the eye screening camp. The doctor heard the participants about the common issues they face related to their eye health. She also talked about the basic eye care routine and its importance. Dr. Doma highlighted about the common eye problem related to ageing such as Cataract, Glaucoma, Eye Flu, and Torticollis. She further suggested some measures to avoid common eye allergies. The speaker also encouraged the participants about the importance of Eye Donation. Lastly, Dr. Doma addressed the concerns and queries from the participants. Eye screening tests was piloted after the talk. The test wa...

At any age, our health and wellbeing are enhanced by regularly participating in the events and activities that bring purpose, hope and joy. For seniors, taking part in these activities can be more difficult, but it’s also more important to find a way to participate as we get older. Elderly people who feel younger than their age show less brain aging, better memory and less depression. Studies show that staying engaged is important for a senior’s mental health, but avoiding social isolation and maintaining a sense of purpose can have physical effects too. Medical professionals recognize that social determinants of health, especially those that affect mental, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, impact health outcomes and quality of life. It’s important for seniors to work with their families, caregivers and health professionals to develop a plan that allows them to take part in activities they love and maintain positive mental health through activity and connection. There are al...

The holiday season is a busy time for those of us in the senior care industry. Many families only get together during this one time of the year, and this rare visit to aging parents usually brings up some undeniably critical issues. The holidays bring families together, and many adult children become painfully aware of their parents’ aging issues while visiting. Many age-related issues can be hidden (or ignored) during the weekly or monthly phone calls.  Many adult children dismiss or excuse-away the potential issues.  We get it—these issues are often intimidating and time-consuming.  We all want to believe that our parents are doing as well as they claim. We also do not want to invade our parents’ privacy or step on their autonomy. Seeing parents in-person over an extended period of time, though, can really change that perspective.  In response, senior care providers start getting a lot of phone calls from concerned family members in November and December. Elder...

The holiday season can be an especially difficult time to grieve the loss of a loved one. Your sense of loss can be magnified during family gatherings, holiday traditions and meaningful events. The need for support is the greatest during the holidays. Focus on good memories and take comfort with family and friends. There are a number of ways you can deal with grief during the holiday season to get through this difficult time. Talk about your emotions with loved ones. Share stories and favorite memories. Be honest about how you’d like to spend your time this holiday season, and don’t do more than you want. If dinner with family or friends doesn’t feel right, develop an alternative option during these tough times. Familiar traditions may be comforting, but it is important to acknowledge that the holidays will not be the same after a loss. Some find comfort in new experiences, a change in location for family celebrations or a new menu. Holiday activities can also cause stress....

The holiday season is here, and families are feeling joyful and looking forward to all the get togethers and time spent with each other! However, for some seniors who are in senior care, the holiday season can cause feelings of isolation and depression while the rest of the family is getting ready to celebrate. But […] The post Ways To Help Your Senior Loved One Feel Included During the Holidays appeared first on Home Care Assistance Carmel . from Home Care Assistance Carmel https://ift.tt/37ElgmT via IFTTT

When it comes to long-term care, there are some misconceptions about what the term means and what it entails. First, health care insurance like Medicare is not going to pay for the care your parents need for the months and years to come. While the insurance will care for some skilled nursing care after a health crisis, long-term care is typically not covered unless your parents bought long-term care insurance. Second, elderly care isn’t just for the infirm. People who want to age at home benefit from the services caregivers offer. Your parents may have no problem getting out of bed, getting showered and dressed, and eating a meal. However, they are no longer able to drive due to worsening eyesight. They may be isolated and lonely and simply need someone to visit once or twice a week. Elderly Care is More Than Help With Personal Care and Hygiene While elderly care can assist with personal care and hygiene, there’s much more to it. Caregivers stop by and become friends your parents...

Elder abuse is real and more common than you think. You or a loved one may be at risk. As seniors age, they increasingly become targets for scammers, con artists and abusers. The epidemic of elder abuse is worsening, and it’s becoming more and more important for seniors to understand how to protect themselves. The first step is identifying the types of elder abuse and their frequency: Neglect and Self-Neglect (29%) – The failure to provide the goods or services necessary for avoiding physical harm, mental anguish or mental illness, e.g., abandonment, denial of food or of health-related services. Financial Abuse/Exploitation (29%) – The improper act of using the resources of an older person without his or her consent, especially for another person’s benefit. Emotional Abuse (24%) – The infliction of mental or emotional abuse, i.e., humiliating, intimidating or threatening an elderly person. Physical Abuse (24%) – The infliction of mental or emotional anguish, i.e., slapping, br...

Physical therapy helps restore and maintain maximum movement and functional ability. For seniors, therapy can help improve mobility, balance, range of motion and physical strength. Physical therapy helps improve function, musculoskeletal health, and mobility. Individuals with joint or muscle pain or those who have balance problems or difficulty walking can benefit from physical therapy. Following surgery, physical therapy can be effective in reducing pain, swelling and joint stiffness, and helping you re-gain lost muscle strength and endurance. Typical programs may include: Therapeutic exercise Strength and mobility training Gait and balance training Muscle re-education Innovative treatment modalities such as heat, cold, & electrical stimulation Physical therapy is a covered benefit by most insurances when ordered by your health care provider or with an initial evaluation by a physical therapist and a follow up order from your doctor. Rolling Fields recently pa...

Are you a caregiver of an elderly with dementia ? Do you notice that your loved one exhibits different symptoms according to the season? A new study reveals that seasons do have an impact on dementia symptoms. Different seasons impact the brain biology in different ways and seasonal changes also impact cognitive functioning in the elderly. Seasons Impact on Cognitive Performance Recently, a study analysed data from 3,353 older adults in France, US and Canada. Data on around 19 cognitive tests were compared with proteins in spinal fluid linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as brain gene expression, to look at the differences between those with and without a diagnosis of dementia. Scientists found that on an average, older adults with and without dementia have better cognitive functioning during the summer months compared to winter; with the cognitive decline being an age difference of almost 4.8 years. When scientists controlled for an array of factors that could influence t...

Family care providers know that navigating the process of looking for appropriate care resources for a senior loved one can seem like trying to get across the ocean in a rowboat – blindfolded, and blindsided by the buffeting swells and winds. The likelihood of making it safely to your destination is pretty slim without having the necessary tools, and an individual to assist you in how to use them. That’s where a geriatric care manager (sometimes known as an Aging Life Care Professional) can step in and save the day. Geriatric care managers are specialists in the many complexities of the aging process, available resources, resolution of issues pertaining to family dynamics, and more. Available for short-term consultations or up to and including full-time assistance, there are several key instances when teaming up with a geriatric care manager is particularly valuable: Long distance separates both you and your family member. Living in Illinois while your aging parents are in Texas,...

  November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and Freedom Home Care is working to help raise understanding and awareness. If you have a loved one who is in need of hospice care, we are your home care agency . We provide assistance and the support you need and deserve. Understanding Hospice Care Hospice is a specific form of care for patients who are terminally ill. Once medical treatments are no longer curative, care is tailored and designed to give that patient comfort and the highest quality of life possible, rather than a cure. The ultimate goal of hospice care is to provide a pain-free and supportive environment. Many hospice programs are home-based, while the patient’s family members may place the patient in a facility devoted to hospice care. Many hospice regimens include several professionals who provide specific services. For example, a hospice program may include not only medical professionals, but a social worker and even a member of the clergy or a spirit...

If you watched a parent or other family elder struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, you’ve likely wondered if you’re at higher risk for developing it. That’s an understandable concern. Each parent contributes genes to their children. These genes carry the coded information that determines which of our parents’ traits we inherit. They are in every one of the billions of cells that make up our bodies. If your mother is tall with blonde hair or your father has dark hair and green eyes, you might inherit those traits. Unfortunately, our genetics determine more than our hair and eye color. They can also put us as higher risk for some diseases and health conditions.  Genes and Alzheimer's Disease There are two types of Alzheimer's disease: early-onset and late-onset. Researchers believe there is a  genetic component to both . The first type, early-onset Alzheimer's, isn't very common. It occurs in adults under the age of sixty-five and accounts for only about ten percent o...

You might not realize it, but your senior could be dealing with depression . If you’re not sure why that could be the case, these are just a few of the situations that can contribute to elderly depression. Experiencing Grief and Loss Grief and loss are a part of life, but that doesn’t mean they’re an enjoyable part of life. Your elderly family member may have had more than her fair share of both grief and loss, which can be affecting her now. Beyond just losing people she loves, your aging family member may also mourn the loss of other things, like her health or the ability to do certain things that she used to do easily. Having Chronic Health Issues Health conditions, particularly chronic health issues that only continue to get worse, are a huge source of depression for aging adults. Chronic health conditions are often tough to manage on a daily basis and they can rob your elderly family member of a great many pieces of her life that she then mourns. Depression can also be a si...

Aging is inevitable, so it’s important to prepare for it as much as possible. Below are five reasons Amada Senior Care believes having a long-term care insurance policy is a smart investment. The possibility that you’ll need long-term care continues to grow. The fastest growing group in the United States is people over 85. In the next 30 years, an estimated 1 million individuals will reach the age of 100 . As life expectancy increases, the need for long-term care does as well. At some point, it’s likely that even the healthiest of seniors will need assistance with activities of daily living.   You have more choices for how and where you’ll grow old. It’s ideal for many seniors to “age in place” at home. Long-term care insurance covers costs where Medicare doesn’t , like if a senior needs assistance with non-medical care like bathing, getting dressed, or cooking meals. Being financially prepared allows seniors to choose where and how they want to age. “Contrary to what most p...

November is Diabetes Awareness Month in Canada and November 14 th is World Diabetes Day. There’s no better time to address the care issues faced by thousands of Canadians, the majority of which are seniors. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body uses blood sugar. It has the potential to cause serious complications when not properly controlled. Unfortunately, seniors – the most affected population – often have trouble managing diabetes on their own. Aging and diabetes Managing diabetes often involves a combination of medication and a diet and exercise. The condition often goes hand-in-hand with other conditions, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol – both of which also require medication and a healthy lifestyle to manage. Diabetes also raises the risk of depression and cognitive impairment – something many older adults already struggle with. Controlling diabetes can become increasingly difficult as we get older. Age-related memory issues can make it di...

Connecting with a senior loved one trying to cope with all the struggles of Alzheimer’s or dementia, particularly in the middle and later stages, may be frustrating – both for you and for your loved one. Brain changes affect the ability to hear, process, and respond effectively to conversations, and it’s up to us to employ new ways of communicating in order to connect with an individual more successfully. However, doing so is much easier than it may seem. We already communicate nonverbally in a variety of ways, such as: Physical contact Posture and motion Eye contact Facial expressions Gestures Personal space Consider these methods to incorporate more nonverbal communication into your interactions with a senior loved one: Offer assurance through a caring touch. If a senior loved one is comfortable with touch, hold and pat the senior’s hand, rub his/her back, put an arm around your loved one’s shoulders, and provide affectionate hugs. Look the senior in the eye. Eye con...

Eventually you might find yourself at a crossroads of sorts as a caregiver. You’re going to need to decide if it’s more important for you to always tell your senior exactly the truth or if you’re going to sometimes lie in order to help her to feel calmer and more secure. It’s a difficult choice. When Lying Can Be Helpful Kids are taught that it’s never helpful to lie. Lies can lead to secrets and to dangerous situations, so they’re to be avoided. But as a caregiver, especially to someone who has cognitive changes resulting from something like dementia , lying might be something that you need to engage in on a regular basis. It even has a name: therapeutic lying . What Is the Real Situation? Very often the true situation is different from the reality your elderly family member is living in on a daily basis. She may have a variety of situations and questions she brings to you, ranging from questions about where her parents are to where a beloved spouse is right now. These question...

When we think of family caregivers, most of us likely picture an older woman caring for a spouse or an adult daughter tending to her parents. While it is true that female caregivers still outnumber men, the gap is smaller than ever before. For the first time, men make up almost fifty percent of family caregivers. This change can be attributed to a variety of reasons, including: Higher numbers of women working outside the home Smaller nuclear families with fewer siblings to share care More men recognizing and self-identifying their role as caregivers Trends in Family Caregiving What other trends are occurring in family caregiving? Turns out, quite a lot. According to a Genworth Financial study , today’s caregivers are significantly younger than in past years. Fifty-eight percent of family caregivers are between ages twenty-five and fifty-four. The average age in 2018 was forty-seven versus fifty-three in 2010. With the decline in age, the impact on the lives of family caregiv...

As parents and grandparents age, many adult children (and seniors themselves) fear that their loved one will be diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, enduring years of cognitive decline and ultimately death as a result of the crippling disease. When we think of mental health issues in seniors, Alzheimer’s and dementia is at the forefront of our thoughts, conversations, and research. However, there is another silent killer that poses the biggest threat to senior mental health–– depression. Depressive disorders are the top mental health issue faced by seniors today, said gerontologist Patrick Arbore, EdD, director of the  Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention and Grief-Related Services , a program of the Institute on Aging in San Francisco that he founded in 1973. Closely following are cognitive disorders (such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease), anxiety disorders, and substance abuse disorders, respectively. According to the Center for Disease Control, between one and fiv...

When it comes to senior housing and senior living, there are a number of different options, each with their own set of considerations. While many senior Australians want to grow old at home, a concept known as ageing in place , there are many ways to do that without necessarily staying in the family home. Many seniors are now making the choice to downsize after retirement ; however, many don’t always think ahead to how well their choice of where to live will suit them once they start to need additional care. This guide can help you choose the senior living option that best suits your needs now and into the future.   Own home or apartment Whether you decide to remain living in your family home or downsizing to a smaller house, apartment or villa – living in your own home will ensure you stay living in the neighbourhood you’re familiar with and keep your independence.   Who does it suit? Living in a private home or apartment suits those seniors who value their independenc...

News articles and statistics on caregiving and employment often focus on the losses suffered by companies when adult children take time off to care for their elderly loved ones. But what about the impact that caregiving has on the employee who’s trying to take care of work and their aging parent? The Impact of Caregiving on Your Employment It’s long been known that people who care for an aging parent deal with increased stress and can suffer from caregiver burnout. Poor sleep, anxiety, and less “me” time to pursue personal interests are just some of the issues that caregivers face. For working Canadians, the demands of caregiving are even worse and have a domino effect on the workplace. The result is more time off work and reduced productivity. A recent Ryerson University study focused on the impact that caring for an aging parent has on workers. It looked at two groups of people in a caregiver role – those with senior care responsibilities and those in the sandwich generation who a...

Undoubtedly, you’ve read or at least heard about the special investigation that the Atlanta Journal Constitution spotlighted last month. Their series, Unprotected , investigated the quality of senior care being provided in Georgia’s personal care homes. By reviewing all of the state’s personal care homes with 25 or more beds, the AJC produced a harrowing picture of senior care in Georgia. The reporters compiled the inspection reports filed by Georgia’s Department of Community Health between 2011 and 2015 and the state’s databases of fines and other enforcement actions levied against Georgia’s personal care homes. For weeks, the AJC offered shocking details of the abuse and neglect pervasive in even the most expensive personal care homes in Georgia. One of the prosecuting attorneys made a very sobering statement, “I’m very scared about becoming 90 years old right now. It should terrify all of us because that’s a horrible way to live, and we have got to be able to do better than tha...