Although you and your parent may have made a pact years ago that he or she would never be dependent on you, life does not come with guarantees. Occasionally as the adult child, you need to make decisions for your mom or dad. Sometimes that includes working with a caregiver. Your parent might not want to move to a care…
Aging adults often need more assistance as they grow older. Before you become your parent’s primary care provider, it’s important to understand if you are up to the job. Providing home care for elderly adults is just that – a job. You will be taking over daily tasks like bathing, dressing and toileting for them. Role reversal is not an…
Have you noticed the phone ringing off the hook at your mother or father’s home? Most of the time the number is an 800 caller or unknown. In fact, at this stage of your parent’s life, there are very few people who call them on the phone other than family and friends. So who are all these callers? The majority…
Change is not always easy, but when mom or dad has the support of compassionate home health care services enriching their daily lives, positive outcomes are possible. Physical and emotional changes always come about with aging. What may have been easy for your parent months or even weeks ago may suddenly be more challenging. But caregivers and occupational therapists assist…
Your mom or dad may enjoy exercise, in the form of square dancing, which is a social activity for seniors and yet can also be great exercise as well. When your mom or dad Do-Si-Do they are up on their feet or sitting upright in a wheelchair swaying and moving to the beat. Dance is one of the most popular…
Elder abuse is a major problem that seniors face as they age. Of course it’s wrong and often avoidable if care providers, including family members, are better educated. But consider how difficult it may be for you to take care of your loved one who may be acting erratic. Your parent may be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s and the…
Flu season is upon us, even though it still feels like summer in many cities across the United States. If your parent is a senior 65 or older, hopefully he or she has had a yearly flu vaccine already. In fact, a doctor many doctors recommend that seniors receive high-dose flu vaccine. Because the immune system is often compromised or…
Hospice care is not always the most fun thing to talk about, but it is important to know your options. In addition to services from a hospice organization, 24 hour home care is available to your family through an agency. Not only will these services be immeasurably helpful for your mother or father, they will be there for you as…
You may be chuckling about some of mom or dad’s cravings for sweets and junk food and have determined it is due to age or a medically related issue. However, it’s suspected that many otherwise healthy seniors have nutrient deficiencies that cause such cravings. Were you aware that the lack of certain vitamins in your parent’s diet could cause them…
Whether the sun is shining or the sky is overcast, every day can be an overwhelming day for seniors as they age. Simple tasks like waking up and getting out of bed may be a challenge for your parent. Caregivers can help seniors with the daily challenges they face. They understand what was once easy or routine for mom or…
