What works for a spouse with dementia?

Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia represent an exponentially growing social and health care challenge for American families - not only family members who face the progressive brain disease, but also those who love them.

Many spouses of those with dementia do more than watch as their partners deal with the disease's effects on brain functioning, memory, motor skills and emotional health. They often assume round-the-clock caregiving responsibilities as their husband or wife of many years faces progressive decline. Communication can become a particularly difficult issue.

"We found that breakdowns in communication may trigger or deepen problem behaviors in family members with dementia," says Marie Savundranayagam, assistant professor of social work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). "These problem behaviors by those with dementia, such as agitation and aggression, have consistently been linked with caregiver stress."

Through a UWM Research Growth ...

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Elder Care: Times are A-Changing…

by: Ruby Bhayani

In ages past…

 

In our parents' generation, decisions about elder parents seemed easier. Families were not so spread out and different generations lived in one roof when it was necessary. It was just how it was. No questions asked. Adult children of elderly parents knew what was expected and they acted accordingly. Most adult children lived near their parents.

 

But these days, families are spread out across a state, a nation, or even the world. What if you are the only remaining adult child and, for example, you live in Florida while your 80 year old parents reside in Oregon? If they need help, how will you know? How will you provide?

 

So, what can you do?

 

Take heart. There is hope, and a growing caudry of resources along this new journey of life.

 

As the baby boomers approach their 50s and ...

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We are often so busy with our caregiving responsibilities that we forget to take good care of our own fundamental peace of mind. Here are ten things I believe every family caregiver needs:

1. Trusting friend.  We all need someone (other than a family member who might throw our words back in our face) to tell the truth to about our caregiving experiences. Someone who will listen as we express what’s really on our mind and not judge us.

2. Cushy Chair. A soft, comfortable chair to call our own and a place to retreat when we’ve have had enough of everything and everybody.

3. A spiritual life. There are plenty of situations in the caregiving process when the rug feels like it is being pulled out from under us and there is no earthly explanation for what is happening. God is not to blame. At times like ...

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I always say, better results, more attention, talk early and often with their aging loved ones who solve their problems of care for older people by choice, not of conflict. Before you start talking, the easier it is to get the plans in place. The better the planning, the easier it is for them and you in the long run.

Before you begin conversations with their aging loved one, there are very important to consider some basic facts. Remember these basic Reality will help you to have conversations with less stress and more success.

Basic Reality # 1: There are no guarantees

Ideally, the aging of your loved one to come to your way of thinking, but the fundamental reality that you can! However, it is important to try – and keep trying. . . and try to keep it a bit 'more!

To take fundamental reality # 2: AGING their loved ones, have the ...

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 Aging at home has been one of the most popular choices among seniors today. This is the reason why home safety should be a top priority to prevent injuries from happening.

 

As people grow older, the danger of falling becomes more and more serious as it may cause injuries that may pose serious health risks. Studies show that falls are the most common cause of fatal injury in people 65 years and older, therefore proper safety measures at home should be implemented.

Here are some tips and reminders on how to safety-proof your home.

Entire house

Be sure that the floors are not slippery
Put items you use on a regular basis within reach to avoid using stepladders and stools
Remove scatter mats or make sure to tape it to the floor
Clear all pathways and make sure there are no tripping hazards
Make sure that all furniture is sturdy ...

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Statistics show that people are living longer and longer. The age that people live to has grown dramatically in the past 20 years. Because people are living longer there is usually greater need for assistance as we age. In the majority of households the assistance that seniors receive usually comes from their children.

In many families seniors never imagined that they might need assistance from the children. Likewise, many children of aging parents never thought that they would be assisting their parents as they age. Sometimes, this children assisting parent role reversal can lead to conflicts for the children and the parents. Because of this, many children want to know how to deal with aging parents.

There are six (6) key steps to follow on how to deal with aging parents:

1. You should prepare yourself and your family for the undertaking. Even though ...

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Aging adults have many important decisions to make. One of the most essential is where to live when failing health and other problems with aging make living alone or living with another senior with similar concerns difficult. For seniors in this situation there are a few different options for health care.

Assisted Living
An assisted living facility is a place for seniors who need assistance with daily living but would like to remain as independent as possible. Most assisted living centers have independent apartments where residents can live but still receive care like eating, bathing, dressing, laundry, or housekeeping from facility health care workers when needed. The assisted living facility may also have an on site medical center.

Nursing Home
A nursing home or rest home is a facility that focuses on hands-on 24 hours-a-day care for seniors. Nursing homes are most often the ...

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As a professional senior care provider, the responsibility of protecting seniors from the flu becomes ever important during the winter season. Providers can easily pass along to their seniors simple tips towards staying away from the flu, fighting the illness, and preventing the spread of the flu.

• Wash Your Hands—The simple act of cleaning your hands can prevent germs from spreading or reaching your senior. Encourage your senior to wash their hands or carry hand sanitizer.

• Avoid People Who Are Sick—As much as a senior may love to see their grandchildren or children, if any party is sick, it is best to just stay out of close contact until no longer contagious.

• Stay in Bed—If you are a sick senior, try to not push yourself by going out on errands. Not only can rest help a senior recover faster, but you ...

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Most older people, if given the choice, would continue to live in their own homes as long as possible. Today, it is not necessary to move to a nursing home if you cannot manage all aspects of independent living. For seniors and the elderly who are able to remain in their homes, home care is an important option. Home health care can come in a variety of services, everything from nursing care and medication management to therapy and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). For many, home health care is the preferred means for receiving medical care.

Home health services can be provided by several types of highly trained health professionals including nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, dieticians, nutritionists, home health aides and personal care workers. Home health services may include help with medication, meals, personal care, housecleaning, shopping, transportation and accessibility, and companionship. Some of the ...

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Tips to help keep elderly friends and family happy, hopeful and in the "love circle" this holiday season.

For most of us, the holidays are a time to gather with friends and family, celebrate, reflect on the past and plan for the future.

As we age, however, the holidays can be a difficult time. Older adults may feel more acutely the passing of time, the absence of parents, siblings and friends who have died, and the distance of loved ones who have moved away.

Traditional reunions and rituals that were observed in the past may not be possible and in their absence, the holidays may seem devoid of meaning.

It's normal to feel subdued, reflective and sad in the face of these losses and changes, but it's also important to make sure holiday-related "blues" don't worsen into full-blown depression ...

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