Although the vast majority of Americans (about 90 percent over age 65) want to stay in their homes to live out their golden years, unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. As time marches on and we age, homes that were perfectly functional to us can pose obstacles later on as our abilities decline. Think about when you were young and could bound up and down the stairs. As you age, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
