Aging at Home

Lower an Older Adult's Risk for Alzheimer's with These Five Healthy Lifestyle Choices It’s well known that a healthy lifestyle provides many benefits for older adults, but according to new research, healthy lifestyle choices have been shown to significantly lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. With the number of Americans being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s increasing, this new research, which identifies several healthy lifestyle factors, is an important step forward in understanding potential preventive measures that may help older adults. In reviewing data from two longitudinal population studies, National Institute on Aging researchers identified five healthy lifestyle factors which [...]

10 Questions to Ask When Searching for In-Home Care Searching for In-Home Care can be a big task. There are so many companies out there that provide In-Home Care services, so how do you choose one that is a reputable, safe, and reliable company that is also the right fit for your needs? We have compiled a list of questions that should help make the selection process easier: Is the company you are considering properly licensed or accredited by an independent third party for in-home care? While many companies will claim they are licensed, they may mean they have only a [...]

The Impacts of Social Isolation on the Elderly During the Pandemic Social isolation and loneliness can be especially challenging for seniors during the pandemic. Learn ways to help keep seniors engaged, active and safe, right in the comfort of home. For nearly everyone, the coronavirus pandemic upended the way we live. Social and religious gatherings were suspended, face-to-face meetings with friends and family strongly cautioned, even trips to the grocery store or to run errands were seen as hazards due to potential exposure. As communities begin to take tentative steps toward resuming some of these activities, the Centers for Disease Control [...]

High Blood Pressure: How to Treat, Monitor and Medicate This Common Condition An Introduction to High Blood Pressure Everyone has heard of the term “high blood pressure” and everyone over the age of 45 fears the day when they might have it. But what really is high blood pressure? Where does it stem from? And are there better or worse ways to monitor and treat it? When blood cells and plasma are pumping through your veins and arteries, they are exerting pressure onto the walls, and the walls are therefore exerting a pressure back. The amount of pressure can fluctuate, with [...]

Breast Cancer Awareness in the Aging Community According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, as studies show that one out of eight women will be diagnosed in their lifetime. But did you know: 80% of all breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 50, and 60% of cases are found in women over the age of 65, making it a very senior-centric disease, and increasing the importance of staying proactive about your health as you age. It can also be more difficult for seniors to bounce back from cancer [...]

Understanding and Managing Diabetes in Seniors Living with and managing diabetes can be difficult, even for otherwise healthy individuals. However, managing diabetes in older adults can be an especially unique challenge. An estimated 14.3 million seniors are living with diabetes. Many older adults also have other health issues to deal with as well. Over 50 percent of all adults age 65 and older have three or more chronic health issues, like heart disease, arthritis, and high blood pressure. These issues, along with the complicated ongoing management of diabetes, can lead to frustration and fatigue among seniors. Some older adults may not [...]

Practical Steps to Take When Aging Parents Need Help at Home Perhaps on a recent visit with your aging parents, it became apparent that keeping up with household tasks is challenging for them. Or maybe during a phone call, you realized that Mom is having some minor memory issues and you worry about her remembering to take her medications regularly. Whether you live down the block or across the country, ensuring that aging parents are healthy and safe at home can feel overwhelming, particularly if you are new to family caregiving. Determine the needs of your parents. Consider the tasks involved [...]

Overcoming Caregiver Guilt When Providing Dementia Care In any given day in the life of a caregiver, a full gamut of emotions can come into play. Joy in hearing a senior loved one’s laughter. Pride in knowing you’re making a difference in the senior’s life. Frustration and stress when things don’t go according to plan. And perhaps one of the most common: guilt. Caregiver guilt is particularly common when caring for someone with dementia. Dementia care is both challenging and ever-changing. What works today may not work tomorrow, as the disease progresses and the older adult experiences more intense effects. Knowing [...]