Long Term Care:
When you hear the term “senior center,” what comes to mind? For some, it might conjure images of nonstop games of bingo, or quiet afternoons spent knitting. And while knitting and bingo are certainly activities you might encounter—and enjoy participating in—at a senior center, summing up the experience with these stereotypes doesn’t do credit to the depth and breadth of activities available at today’s senior centers.
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As we age, the body undergoes numerous changes, many of which impact our immune system. One of the most significant aspects of aging is the gradual weakening of the immune system, a process known as immunosenescence. This decline in immune function increases susceptibility to infections and diseases.
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When it comes to care for aging loved ones, many prefer the familiarity and independence of aging in their own homes. While this choice offers comfort and connection to family and community, it often necessitates additional support with daily tasks.
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Aging in place is the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. This concept is becoming increasingly popular as individuals seek to maintain their independence and familiar surroundings as they grow older.
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The desire to age well in our homes tends to drive us to explore ways to safely remain in the community as long as possible. But safety isn’t the only concern: we hope to be independent, engaged, empowered, connected, and have access to resources when we need them as well. Naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) offer an opportunity to coordinate livable communities that ensure we can comfortably age in place.
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As a family caregiver, it’s natural to worry about your loved ones when you’re not around. They need you. But in the desire to always protect them, it’s easy to deprive them of the degrees of independence they are capable of and want.
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As a family caregiver, it’s natural to worry about your loved ones when you’re not around. They need you. But in the desire to always protect them, it’s easy to deprive them of the degrees of independence they are capable of and want.
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The Stonewall generation is entering old age, and a new study finds many LGBTQ+ seniors are fearful that the prejudices of staff and fellow residents at nursing homes could leave them vulnerable to continued misunderstanding, stigma and discrimination.
In fact, "LGBTQ+ elders often feel the need to go back into the closet because of these genuine fears" of being mistreated, said Tim Johnston, senior director of national projects at SAGE. It's the largest and oldest advocacy and services organization focused on LGBTQ+ seniors.
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(HealthDay News) -- Seniors are among those most at risk for dying from COVID-19, and so they've been urged to socially distance during the pandemic.
But experts fear this isolation, while protecting them from a potentially fatal infection, might be wearing away at their health in other ways.
"By older adults being less socially engaged and less active, they are absolutely seeing changes in physical function and in cognitive sharpness," Dr. Carla Perissinotto, associate chief of geriatrics clinical programs at the University of California, San Francisco, said during an interview.
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The word “palliative” means treating symptoms without trying to cure them. It is not meant to cure; it is meant to make the patient feel better. People with a fatal disease still need care. The doctor needs to work to make them feel better and to make them more comfortable. It is often done for cancer patients to increase comfort or to reduce pain when no cure is possible. Palliative care is not just for people with cancer. People with heart failure, for example, may be treated to get rid of chest pain or fatigue. With palliative care, you cannot cure the disease, but you can make the patient feel better. It may be used for any serious illness or disease that cannot be cured.
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Caregiving is a demanding and challenging job. It’s okay if you need to take a break and relax for a little while. It’s also okay to get away for a weekend, or go out of town for a family event or high school reunion. This is where overnight respite care comes in. Many long-term care facilities offer overnight respite care for your loved one.
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Level of care can be a highly debated topic between you and someone in your care. Many of our loved ones become resistant to the idea of losing their independence, sometimes a nursing home isn’t necessary, but some assistance is required, and other times we simply cannot afford the cost of an assisted living facility. This is where adult day programs come into play. Adult day programs can provide a happy medium for our loved ones, who may be able to live independently, but still need some additional help in certain areas of their lives.
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Is there such a thing as insurance for long term care? How does insurance work for long-term care? These are great questions. Yes, there is such a thing as purchasing insurance for long-term custodial care. This type of insurance covers the costs accrued by caring for chronic illnesses or various disabilities. The claims pay for everything from home health care to skilled nursing care for months or even years.
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Before your loved one, who has dementia, passes on, you have a small, but important decision to make regarding the physical confirmation of his or her former disease. A brain autopsy is the only way to confirm a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
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Advance directives are legal documents for an adult of any age to help plan his future medical care. The directives include what kinds of treatments that a person does or does not want. These directives become important when a person can no longer communicate his decisions. The directives speak for the person to ensure that his religious and personal beliefs are respected.
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Your loved one has entered the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease and you’ve decided that you would like your loved one to be in as much comfort as possible in a familiar surrounding. Home hospice care is a viable option these days.
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Are you or someone you love struggling with a serious or life-threatening illness? Do you need relief from the pain and the stress? The primary doctor may be treating the illness, but you and your family may also need someone to treat your whole self as you’re fighting this illness. Palliative care may be what you need.
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Do you need help with the activities of daily living—bathing, cooking meals, cleaning house—yet you are looking to keep as independent as possible?
Assisted living may be right for you. Assisted living facilities provide round the clock care and support. A good facility will put together a plan for you that marries the best of independent living and personal care services.
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Most people think they'll spend the rest of their lives in their own homes. However as they grow older, they often discover that living at home is no longer practical, convenient, or even safe.
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When an older person moves to a nursing home chances are he or she will share a room with another resident. Single rooms are costly and Medicaid does not pay for private accommodations.
Nursing homes usually assign rooms according to the availability of beds so your parent is likely to end up rooming with a stranger. The roommate could be someone with physical disabilities and mentally alert or a person with Alzheimer's or other memory disorder.
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Adult day programs offer a safe place for older adults to enjoy activities and the company of other people. Their services make it possible for older people to live at home instead of moving to a nursing home. Employed caregivers can continue to work and elderly spouses have much-need time for themselves.
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Everybody looks forward to company – especially nursing home residents. Your visits make a pleasant break in the day and help your relative feel connected with family and life in the community.
Regular visitors can make sure their relative is getting proper care and resolve staff or roommate concerns. Visits are also a great time to get to know the staff and let them get to know you.
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