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Taking on the responsibility of caregiving for an older loved one can be a tough decision – especially for someone doing it for the first time without truly knowing all the demands it can have on their time, finances and schedule. It’s not a decision that should be made without first taking many things into consideration. It’s also not a choice you should make alone. So if your loved one is advancing in age and starting to encounter some health issues that could require increased supervision or treatment, you should start [...]

At any age, visiting the doctor can be a stressful and confusing ordeal. This can especially be the case for the elderly who may be unaware of their medical needs and often have a difficult time understanding what the doctor is telling them. But in order for your loved one to live the healthiest, most comfortable lifestyle possible it is important for them to be able to get the most out of these doctor’s appointments. That might mean that you as a caregiver will need to accompany them to the appointment. [...]

The Christmas tree is down, the lights are put away, and the New Year’s Eve ball has dropped. The extra time with family and friends, great food and time off work were nice, but it’s time to get back into the regular routine.This transition back to daily living is sometimes difficult for older loved ones who live alone or spend most of their days by themselves. Post-holiday depression due to loneliness or health issues may arise.According to statistics, depression affects about 6 million Americans ages 65 and older. But only 10 percent [...]

If you’re reading this, you’ve successfully (or barely) made it through another year of joys and sorrows, victories and defeats, and blessings and challenges. Hopefully, you were able to focus on the positives and learn from the negatives as you set your sights on making 2018 the best it can be. As you’ve already learned, life as a caregiver is both rewarding and challenging. You’ll have good days and not-so-good days. One day, your loved one will show appreciation for your sacrifice with a hug or kind word. On another, they [...]

Taking over the role as primary caregiver for an older, injured or dependent loved one is an honorable thing. In some families, it’s not a responsibility everyone is especially excited to take on. Kudos to you for stepping up to care for your loved one. Often, the bulk of the caregiving falls mostly on one or two people who are already busy raising their own families, working full-time jobs and trying to find time for themselves. Many caregivers would be quick to say that the experience has its blessings and that [...]

For many people, the season that brings Thanksgiving and Christmas is the most “wonderful time of the year.” The holidays are filled with delicious food, vacation from work, and quality time with family and friends. And don’t forget about the gifts. But for some, the holidays can trigger stress, anxiety, loneliness, health problems, and even depression. The “holiday blues” can be a real issue for someone of any age, but sometimes especially for the elderly or anyone living alone. If you have loved ones who experience these feelings of sadness or [...]

It’s the good news you’ve been waiting to hear: Your loved one is making great progress in their recovery, and is ready to go home. This, of course, is the goal after any stint in a short-term health care facility – hospital, rehab and therapy or a nursing home. While being able to take your loved one home to their own place or your house to live is cause for celebration, the transition can be physically and emotionally stressful. However, there are several ways to make this transition go more smoothly [...]

Summer is upon you and it’s important to remember a few safety tips when you’re caring for an aging loved one. You want them to get out and enjoy the beauty and wonder that summer has to offer while being safe and protected from the dangers that come with the heat. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re caring for your loved one. Sun Safety Just as you would protect yourself and your children, you may have to remind your senior loved ones of this critical step in [...]

We are delighted to announce that we have teamed up with the VetAssist Program to be able to offer free, or low-cost, home care to veterans, or their surviving spouse, who qualify under the Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension benefit. This is an additional benefit that is added to your existing Veterans pension. We can sit down with you and undertake a thorough assessment to determine whether you are eligible for the benefit. If we believe you meet the criteria we can help you submit the application and all the relevant documents [...]

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Adults over 65 have a 2.6 times greater risk of dying in a fire than the total population, with those over 85 and over 4.1 times more likely. These are pretty scary statistics worth paying attention to. There are things you can do to help your elderly loved one stay safe. Install and check smoke detectors Ensure there are smoke detectors on every level of the property, especially outside of bedrooms. As well as testing them regularly, ensure that your loved one can hear them. Buy [...]