If you’re a caregiver, you know the rewards that come with the loving act. They often include feeling a sense of purpose and appreciation from the person you help, who might be a parent or a spouse. However, it is not without challenges. It can be a 24/7 calling with many sleepless nights and stress-filled days. The emotional and physical toll of caregiving can be downright exhausting but also very [...]
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, those steps [...]
Richard* is an affluent retiree living on his own. He’s in his mid-80s and appears fine physically but he’s starting to slow down and make some mistakes. Richard’s daughter, Meg,* knows this and keeps tabs on her dad by checking in regularly either on the phone or in person. One day, Richard has a fall which requires a trip to the emergency room and he’s subsequently admitted to the hospital. [...]
It’s normal to worry about your parents’ financial future if they haven’t filled you in with any specifics. You know that with aging comes declining physical and cognitive abilities. And you want to make sure they’re financially protected for the long term as they move through their golden years. But broaching the subject about their current and future finances is far from easy. It can seem like you’re intruding in [...]
Across the globe, nearly 40 percent of older adults (aged 60 and older) live with extended family who are there to assist them when they need it. But in the United States, older people are far less likely to live this way. In fact, only about 6 percent do, according to a study by the Pew Research Center. This leaves a large proportion of older adults either living on their own [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
When it comes to retirement and aging, many of us don’t think twice about planning for our golden years. It can be exciting to look ahead and prepare financially for that time and place to do what we’ve always wanted to do like traveling, taking up a new hobby, visiting grandchildren or even starting a second career. Aside from the enjoyable aspects of life in retirement, we also have to [...]
How we react emotionally to chronic stress can have a cascading effect on our physical health. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If left unchecked, the stress we feel may contribute to serious health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and other physical illnesses. It also can lead to mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, according to information from the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). And [...]
