Medicare Open Enrollment has Arrived
Open Enrollment was moved to start earlier this year, but that also means the deadline is earlier as well. Regardless of what type of Medicare you have (Original, Advantage or Part D) – now is the time to make any changes for the following year!
Even in Old Age, Your Mom Wants to be Your Mom
Recently a colleague asked for some advice on dealing with his mom. He assumed that since I am in the business of serving older adults I would have some wisdom on the topic.
Avoiding Dehydration & Heat Exhaustion
What most of us are not aware of, is that summer heat claims more than 1,000 lives each year in the United States; more than the icy winters or the severe storms.
Is It Time to Downsize?
Contemplating retirement is also the time to start contemplate downsizing your home.
Looking for New Friendships
Typically, making friends is something that just happens. It has never been something that you had to give alot of thought. When you were in school it was who sat next to you in class
Stepping into the Leadership Role
Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia involve a progressive loss of one’s memory, thinking, language, and self-care skills. Someone with dementia eventually loses the capacity to be completely independent, […]
Spring Cleaning Can Actually Save Money?
Spring cleaning. Something about it sounds refreshing. Something about it also sounds exhausting. The idea of going through your entire home, cleaning and reorganizing it from top to bottom can be […]
Lifting Safety for Caregivers
We may not recognize the risk we are putting ourselves in the moment of leaning over someone for an extended period of time. We may not feel any different a […]
Communicating with Alzheimer’s Patients
I recently read an article in Parade about a speech-pathology professor at Ohio State University, Michelle S. Bourgeois, who is finding new ways to communicate with Alzheimer and Dementia patients.
Driving — Time to Stop?
The changes of normal aging can often interfere with the ability to drive. Driving is a complex function and it’s important to be alert for changes in yourself and others that might indicate it’s time to stop driving.
Top Jobs for Older Adults
If you are anything like most retirees or soon-to-be ones, you have probably taken a financial hit over the past two years. What was once the comfortable retirement lifestyle you had always imagined might be looking very different in this harsh economic climate. To make matters worse, prices are going up and your income is undoubtedly fixed. You might be asking yourself what you could possibly do without having to go back to work full-time. There are actually some great part-time positions perfect for the formerly retired.
Vacations – A Must For Caregivers
It’s March. We all feel it — the spring in our step when a 40 degree day hits followed by the dread the next day when it’s back down in the 20s and snowing. The daily pressures combined with the weather all starts to mound and we wish we could just get away for a week or maybe even a few days. It’s time for a vacation
Spruce Up For Spring!
To paraphrase the legendary Rock & Roll group The Beatles, “Little darling, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter… but here comes the Sun!” With the warmer weather just around […]
Tips for Helping Family Members with Finances
A frequent challenge is how to help older family members with their finances without taking away their autonomy or getting into a tug-of-war over the issue. Concerns often arise when […]
Be Sure to Check on Your Aging Relatives
Years ago my favorite great-aunt died. She and her husband never had kids of their own but bestowed their love upon a dozen or so nieces and nephews. They were […]
Tricks That Stick: Medication Tips
Red, round, blue, oblong, white, rectangular — pills come in all shapes, colors and sizes making it difficult to keep them straight. Even more difficult is keeping track of when […]
Health Plans 101: Knowledge is Power
Health plans — ugh. My least favorite subject and more than likely your least favorite as well. I’m not sure I’ve met anyone who really likes to talk about them […]
Button up the house for winter
With the winter season fast approaching, now is the time to take a closer look at all of those home maintenance projects that are on your “to-do” list. A little […]
Preparing Advanced Directives
We never really know what is around the corner. Most of us think optimistically and prefer not to think about car accidents, sudden illness, or other life-threatening situations that could […]
Manage your Prescriptions, Avoid Unnecessary Stress
The more drugs the doctor prescribes for various conditions, the harder it is to keep up with what you’re taking and when you’re supposed to take it. The confusion can […]
Hobbies for Retirement: Taking Advantage of Free Time
We all have mixed feelings when we think about retirement. While the stress relief is certainly welcome, many retirees can find themselves bored without their normal routines filling their daily […]
Caregivers: Knock Out the Flu This Season
“Nowhere to run to, baby. Nowhere to hide.” This classic tune by Martha & the Vandellas might run through some caregivers heads when the ones they are caring for get […]
What is Your Healthy Weight?
There are many health risks associated with weight; this holds true if you are either underweight or overweight. Maintaining a healthy weight may reduce the risk of many chronic diseases […]
Counting Sheep: Techniques for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
“I had to count sheep to fall asleep last night.” “I stare at the alarm clock for hours trying to fall asleep.” “I can’t stop thinking of all the things […]
Symptoms and Effects of Hearing Loss — What?
Have you ever been so frustrated with someone because you’ve repeated the same sentence 3 times – each time louder than the time before? Yet you still receive a reply […]
