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 [...]
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. [...]
Maintaining Physical Independence Our cognition dwindles with age, but so does our body. In fact, our physical health often goes first. It can be hard to notice the small and gradual physical declines from day to day, which can make it difficult to know when we need to start asking for help. The relative rates at which our bodies start to give out are what separate us, and will ultimately [...]
Cognitive health allows us to make decisions and perform tasks through thought, experience, and the senses. Naturally, with age, our cognitive abilities will decline which impacts our ability to recall or remember, perform simple math, and the ability to reason or judge. When our cognition starts to diminish, the feeling of overwhelm may take over while we try to keep up with everything as if nothing has changed. As an [...]
6 Ways to Support Independence At Home (While Social Distancing) During this difficult time, many elders are vulnerable, isolated, alone and likely afraid. Together we can keep them safe and encourage a sense of community, despite social distancing. We have put together a list of activities that your clients can engage with to help them maintain their independence. Each activity supports a different area of independence: cognitive, physical, financial, emotional, [...]
Much has been written regarding “getting your affairs in order.” Too often planning is geared towards incapacity; a will, power of attorney, and advanced directives are created. What is overlooked is the importance of planning for what happens in the years prior to incapacity. There is a stage between independence and incapacity that require careful planning. The interdependent stage of aging is when the person can manage their life but [...]
Aging alone is challenging and scary! “Solo Elders” is the term used to describe older individuals who have no partner or children. This can also include seniors with children who are estranged. Often, estate planning and long- term care are the biggest issues they face. They do not know who to leave their estate to and they are concerned about who will care for them. In addition, they face fears of isolation and loneliness. [...]
Most of us don't wake up one morning and realize we can no longer care for ourselves. The process of aging involves multiple stages; some of us will experience all of these while others go through a few. Each stage is unique. Understanding these stages will help you prepare for them so, whether aging alone or with a partner, you will be ready for whatever lies ahead. The stages include [...]
