Maybe you’ve seen it in your neighborhood. A once-lovely home starts to show signs of neglect over months or years. A shingle or two might be missing from the roof, the yard is overgrown with weeds, algae is covering the siding and the front lights are not working. What appears on the outside is often a reflection of the inside of the home. Maybe the under-the-cabinet kitchen sink pipes have [...]
When was the last time you thought about how caregiving would be handled once you or your loved one’s health starts declining? It is an important question to ask yourself because more and more people are needing care in America as our population ages. Yet most of the care provided in the United States right now is by unpaid family members or friends. In fact, millions of individuals provide care [...]
When thinking of our loved ones aging in place, it’s tempting to think their home will remain clean and orderly and they will happily and safely live in it. Of course, life often gets in the way and messes and disorganization can result. Papers can start piling and items might not always get put away. Sometimes clutter accumulates on couches and sometimes on the floor. Either way, an out-of-place item [...]
Mike is 85 years old and has always handled his family’s money and bills. Unfortunately, Mike recently had a stroke, is in the hospital and incapable of paying the bills. His wife, Sarah, has never handled their money so doesn’t even know where to start. *********** Maria is 90 and has lived alone for the past 15 years. She missed paying a few bills in recent months and is now [...]
When thinking of living out our golden years, some of us may have grand plans like moving to a warmer climate or to a retirement community. But the reality is most of us want to remain right where we are. The vast majority — about 90 percent — of people over age 65 want to stay in their home for as long as possible, according to research by AARP. Additionally, [...]
Whether it’s been a while since you’ve seen your parents or you are able to visit them regularly, would you know if there was a problem with them living independently? You might not. Sometimes the signs are subtle and don’t fully arise until bigger problems occur. Early Action The best time to help your loved ones stay living independently is by catching problems in the early stages when they might [...]
After a long, hard year, the time has finally arrived for some families who’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 to reunite. Maybe loved ones have been in an assisted living facility where the doors were closed to visitors until recently. Or maybe senior parents living on their own have been vaccinated and they feel safe to spend time together again. Whatever the reason, many families can’t wait to get back together. [...]
The new year is an exciting time: One of new beginnings and the opportunity for change that no other time of year seems to represent. Now is a good time to take stock of all areas of your life or your elderly loved ones’ lives to make sure they’re prepared for life’s unknowns, especially if they want to continue living independently in their home. After last year and the pandemic [...]
No matter our age, having a sense of purpose or meaning to life propels us to be healthier and happier overall, according to recent research. A sense of purpose can be defined as having a sense of direction and that there is true meaning to our present and past life. One’s purpose can vary from person to person and can change with the specific life stage we are in. For [...]
Humans are social beings and we need connection with and to each other to thrive. Study after study demonstrates that when we feel lonely or isolated, we have a higher risk for physical and mental conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and even death, according to information from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). It’s the feeling of loneliness that seems to be most [...]
