A caregiver, sometimes referred to as a caretaker, refers to anyone who provides care for another person. Millions of people living in the United States take care of a friend or family member with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Sometimes caregivers live with the person or nearby, other times they live far away. For…
A person with dementia will need more care as symptoms worsen over time. Problems with memory, thinking, and behavior often present challenges for those with dementia as well as for their family members. Whether the disease is in early or late stages, there are support systems, resources, and services that can help. While it can be difficult…
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition in which people have more memory or thinking problems than other people their age. The symptoms of MCI are not as severe as those of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. People with MCI can usually take care of themselves and carry out their normal daily activities. People…
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a brain disorder that can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood. Visual hallucinations, or seeing things that are not there, are a common symptom, and tend to happen early on. More than 1 million people in the United States are diagnosed with LBD, which is one of the…
As you age, you may have concerns about the increased risk of dementia. You may have questions, too. Are there steps I can take to prevent it? Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk? There are currently no approaches that have been proven to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. However, as…
What Causes Alzheimer’s? The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not yet fully understood, but probably include a combination of: Age-related changes in the brain, like shrinking, inflammation, blood vessel damage, and breakdown of energy within cells, which may harm neurons and affect other brain cells. Changes or differences in genes, which may be passed down…
Aging Life Care Professionals™ Help You Avoid the Pitfalls of Caregiving by Jullie Gray, MSW, LICSW, CMC — Aging Life Care Association™ Member and Fellow of the Leadership Academy Caregiving for an aging loved one can be both rewarding and challenging. Unpaid family members who provide substantial caregiving support by managing medical appointments, medications, and daily…
Does your aging parent need help? As an Aging Life Care™ advisor, I know how fiercely older adults want to maintain their independence. Many feel that their adult children don’t understand them or are making something out of nothing — a fall, a burnt pot, a call from the police station. They make promises to…
Turkey with a Side of Sibling Conflict November 18, 2024 Aging Parents, Debbie Feldman, Family Members, Guest Writer, Sibling Relationshipcaring for mom and dad, holidays, sibling conflict, Thanksgiving Laura Sanchez The fight over the last piece of pumpkin pie may not be the only struggle this Thanksgiving. As families gather around the table, many will have the difficult conversations of how to care for…
Many factors can influence healthy aging. While some of these factors, such as genetics, are not within our control, research shows there are steps you can take to help manage your health as you age. Even making small changes in your daily life can help you live longer and better.
BISMARCK, N.D. – Two critical pieces of legislation in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease were signed into law this week. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) cosponsored both pieces of legislation, the National Alzheimer’s Project (NAPA) Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act. These bills are meaningful advancements in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Accountability…
Alzheimer’s disease may damage the brain in two distinct phases, based on new research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) using sophisticated brain mapping tools. According to researchers who discovered this new view, the first, early phase happens slowly and silently — before people experience memory problems — harming just a few vulnerable…
You alleviated the stress, confusion, and the terror of finding out that I have MS and that I was incapable of ever returning to my line of work. Y’all go out of your way to assist us with every concern we have. I have never worked with any agency that is so kind, patient, and…
Each year, millions of people suffer from seasonal influenza, which is often called the flu. Flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Flu is a mild illness for some people. But for others, including older adults and those with chronic (long-lasting) health conditions, the flu…
The likelihood of hospitalization for, treatment of, and death by heart attack is not the same for men and women in a large-scale study of six countries, including the United States. Men were more likely to be hospitalized with a heart attack, while hospitalized women were less likely to receive treatment and more likely to…
Exercise and physical activity are good for just about everyone including older adults. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity — working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat — each week. You don’t have to accomplish this all at once, rather, you can break up your activity over the…
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and often changes a person’s behavior. This video covers common types of challenging behaviors in Alzheimer’s and provides tips to help caregivers manage these behaviors. For more information, visit https://go.nia.nih.gov/4b9p6EK.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, it may be difficult to think beyond the day to day. However, taking steps now can help prepare for a smoother tomorrow with your geriatric care manager. Over time, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and related dementias will make it…
Experiencing a negative wealth shock, defined as a sudden loss of 75% or more in total wealth, was linked to cognitive decline among older adults in the United States and China, but not in England or Mexico, according to an NIA-funded study. The results, published in Lancet Healthy Longevity, suggest that factors such as government policies…
Many people wonder if Alzheimer’s disease runs in their family. Is it in your genes? This question isn’t easy to answer. Researchers have identified several genetic variants that are associated with Alzheimer’s and may increase or decrease a person’s risk of developing the disease. What does that mean? Let’s first learn about the role of…
It may sound odd that we would want the medications list from Hospice and the residential facility where the client lives. Below is a perfect example of why we need this, from April 2024. Hospice decided to wean our SCM client off her Oxy every 4 hours, add Methadone 5.0mg, then decrease the Oxy to…
An NIA-funded study found that regular online conversations show potential for helping prevent cognitive decline in socially isolated older adults. The Internet-Based Conversational Engagement Clinical Trial (I-CONECT) connected socially isolated older adults with trained conversationalists for regular 30-minute video chats. During these chats, team members guided participants through conversations designed to stimulate brain regions associated…
Disruption of a specific molecular pathway may lead to the degeneration seen in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the non-familial and most common form of the disorder. A team headed by NIA scientists found when a signaling pathway called ApoER2-Dab1 malfunctions in human brain neurons, the neurons accumulate phosphorylated tau — the form that leads to tau…
Older adults may be even more vulnerable to fraud and scams than previously thought, according to an NIA-funded study that mimicked a real-world government imposter scam. The results suggest that a sizable minority of older adults, including those without cognitive impairment, are vulnerable to fraud and scams. The study results were published in JAMA Network Open.…
On this page: Understanding the Mediterranean and MIND diets What do we know about individual foods? What about vitamins and supplements? Researchers continue to seek answers Can eating a specific food or following a particular diet help prevent or delay dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease? Many studies suggest that what we eat affects the aging…
Dementia is a term used to describe a wide range of neurological conditions affecting the brain that worsen over time. As the disease progresses, a person with dementia may lose the ability to think, remember, and reason to levels that affect their daily life and activities. Watch this video to learn more about dementia, common…
Older adults are often the target of scams. Scammers are savvy and convincing, and their scams are designed to catch people off guard. Don’t be ashamed if you think you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam — it can happen to anyone. Common scams aimed at older adults include: Government…
If you’re considering moving your loved one into a Reno nursing home, our senior living advisors Specialized Care Management can help. The term “nursing home” is often used interchangeably with assisted living or other senior housing options; but a nursing home is a skilled nursing facility for individuals with serious, debilitating short- or long-term health…
Unlike childcare, where one generally has the maternity months to look into various options, elder care responsibilities can arise out of the blue. Having a senior family member who requires your assistance will take time and planning. Below are websites that can assist you in finding services that may be helpful. You may be looking…
Geriatrics is a team approach to caring for older people and supporting family caregivers, including close friends. The geriatrics care team may include: Geriatricians, who are doctors with special training in evaluating and managing older adults’ healthcare needs and treatment. These doctors are board-certified internists or family physicians who have additional training and certification in geriatrics.…
Check out the latest in aging advances, research, and events from NIA: Daily low-dose aspirin has little impact on stroke risk and spikes risk of brain bleeding from falls — An NIA-funded study found that taking a low dose of aspirin once a day does not provide significant protection against strokes caused by blood clots and…
The right to vote is extremely valued among our elderly population and to those with disabilities. The outcomes of elections can affect them considerably as vulnerable populations. For some seniors, assistance is a simple as a ride to the voting station or an auxiliary aid to read the choices out loud. Others require more advocation.…
These mistakes put your ticker in danger. It’s time to take aim against them Smoking, overeating and drinking are among the seven deadly sins for your heart. | It’s easy to spot a heart-health fanatic. She’s the one jogging down the side of the road, wearing tight pants and a heart monitor, then slipping into House…
Editor’s Desk Podcast on America Matters Media: Click here to download and Listen! Rush Hour Podcast on America Matters Media: Click here to download and Listen! Guest appearance on Aging & Awesome:
The holidays can be a stressful time for those with even the most rock-solid constitution. Many of us fail to acknowledge the increase in stress levels that the holidays can inflict on senior family members. We arrange trips and visits with family members who don’t otherwise get to spend time with the elders during other times…
Listen for these key phrases related to jury duty and Social Security by Doug Shadel, AARP, April 10, 2019 GETTY IMAGES Jury Duty Scam What they’ll say: “Hello, this is Officer Garrison from the police department. It is my duty to inform you that a warrant has been issued for your arrest as a result…
Did you know that breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women? Here’s a troubling statistic about breast cancer in older women – half of all women recently diagnosed with breast cancer are over 60, and a fifth are older than 70, according to Harvard Health . While research continues to make remarkable advances…
By Amanda Lewis, BA, CMC, Certified Care Manager, Aging Wisdom, LLC With leaf peeping just around the corner, fall is a wonderful time for traveling. Neither age nor health should keep you from going on a vacation. With some thoughtful planning, a trip to visit with family and friends or to visit specific destinations can…
By: Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC, Aging Life Care Professional I am going to give you some tips to keep love the focus throughout your entire life and not let the challenges of aging get in the way, keeping in mind that love is the most important factor in the lives of millions of people…
It appears that community dwelling older adults who access home health care may have a harder time accessing services if they are referred while residing at home. The new payment structure creates potential barriers for access for those admitted to the hospital under outpatient observation status. Update from the Center for Medicare Advocacy:…
Miriam Zucker, LMSW, ACSW, C-ASWCM Many of life’s events involve food. From the grandest of celebrations to the smallest of gatherings, there is always a place for food. As an Aging Life Care Professional®, I recall a wonderful get together this care manager had organized to celebrate a client’s birthday, her ninetieth… I thought. She…
May 2, 2019 By Lisa Mayfield, MA, LMHC, GMHS, CMC May is Aging Life Care™ Month, which has me thinking about how supporting an aging parent can feel so daunting. We see it every day in our work as Aging Life Care Professionals®. Time consuming. Caring for an aging parent takes so much time: multiple…
Should caregivers include yoga into their daily activities? Studies indicate that reducing the burden of caregivers through therapies like yoga can help them be healthy and in turn care for patients better. Manas Bhattacharyya’s day begins at 5:30 in the morning. After a quick protein drink, he heads to the gym near his home in…
One of the Common Aging conditions in Seniors Hearing loss is common in seniors Hearing loss can’t be seen, so it’s usually noticed as a change in behavior. You might notice that your older adult frequently asks you to repeat yourself, keeps the TV volume very loud, or complains that you always mumble. If…
Gail M. Samaha, GMS Associates | Updated November 29, 2018 If you’re a long-distance caregiver, you may have recently had a visit to check in on your aging loved ones. This visit is, perhaps, the first opportunity in several months that you had to personally observe them and their home environment. In the meantime, you’ve…
You may be wondering what you can get for your loved ones for Christmas, who suffer from memory loss. Finding gifts for clients with dementia can be difficult, but it’s not impossible with a little help from these gift giving ideas. Depending on the stage of dementia your loved one has, you’ll want to consider different…
The world in the 21st century is facing a demographic revolution; better nutrition, advances in healthcare, and the rise of smaller family units have created a hitherto unseen demographic explosion. The large demographic grouping of people 65 and older is now under pressure due to the many healthcare concerns that their venerable age brings with…
Beginning with Katrina, “storm of the century” events have unfortunately become a frequent occurrence. Every year, we stand powerless before the awesome destruction that nature can unleash. It’s hard to believe anyone could survive such an event. Can you imagine how it must be for the elderly? How about those who are ill? The best…
Alzheimer’s and its age-related maladies are increasingly taking center stage in the national health debate. This disease is not new, but the manner in which it has struck seniors in the 21st century is reaching plague-like proportions. The reasons are many and usually interconnected. Aside from a predisposition towards Alzheimer’s, the greatest cause for its…
As a group, senior citizens are more at risk of being victims of fraudulent scams and financial abuse than the general population. This is especially true if they are isolated, lonely, grieving, or suffering from mental or physical disability. Some seniors have difficulty dealing with financial matters and unwittingly become involved in scams. Others become victims…
Summer can be fun, relaxing, and lazy, or highly active. It can also be dangerous. Couple high temperatures with higher altitudes and humidity, and seniors can find themselves in serious trouble. Below are summer tips that will help ensure that aging adults and their caregivers have a fun, injury-free, healthy summer. Helping Seniors Stay Hydrated…
Caregiving takes a lot of energy and a lot of love, not to mention time and patience. There are days when it can feel as though all one does is talk to yet another doctor, pharmacy, or insurance provider, and then there are the days when all one hears are complaints. As a caregiver to…
Today’s world is challenging, particularly as we age. It has become so challenging that we have set aside a day, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, to acknowledge and educate people on the importance of ensuring the rights of the elderly within our communities to live out their lives free from abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.…
Faith and spirituality are an important part of most people’s lives. Many feel a need to believe in something greater than ourselves. Whether it is religion-based spirituality, faith in nature, or a deep sense of philosophy, many are drawn towards spirituality. According to a groundbreaking study by the University of Chicago, people aged 68 or…
The welfare of residents has moved along from the early days of senior care facilities, where the idea was to provide three square meals and a roof. Today, the well-being of residents in Nevada and across the country has taken center stage in the administration and functioning of senior care. Great effort is made to…
Seniors are a particularly vulnerable segment of our society in Nevada and throughout the country. While this is a broad generalization, and many seniors do not fit this statement because they’re well-prepared for their golden years in good health and with good health guidance, many seniors are socially isolated. They face deteriorating health issues alone…
Nursing homes are an integral part of senior care not only in Nevada, but throughout our country, and these institutions are in a state of flux, facing true revolutionary change. Under the expert supervision of Dr. Bill Thomas, “The Eden Alternative” has taken shape. Already, some 300 nursing homes worldwide have been altered to accommodate…
If we want to make the most of our remaining years, a healthy social network will give us a better quality of life. Benefits of Social Interaction: The benefits of a healthy social network for the elderly are myriad, and scientifically proven. They include longevity, lower risks of cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and lower blood…
Suffering from a fall might not seem like such a serious situation for most people. For older people, however, it can be the cause of permanent handicap, physical and psychological trauma, or even death. Falling when you’re twenty will probably give you a bruise. When you’re eighty, that same fall is more likely to lead…
As if growing old wasn’t hard enough as it is, scams and crimes against the elderly have become rampant. A particularly odious and disturbing scam that has been plaguing the elderly is the so-called “grandparent scam.” Someone calls pretending they’re your grandson or granddaughter. They’re in big trouble and rushed for time. They may claim…
Growing old carries with it the fear of declining health and neurological diseases, and the one that tends to come up the most is Alzheimer’s disease. This is due partly to an increasing aging demography. Alzheimer’s is a difficult foe to discern. Its causes are still to be fully determined, though we have advanced in…
Specialized Care Management would like to let those know who may be interested that AARP Nevada and the Center for Healthy Aging will be celebrating Older American’s Month by offering guided nature hikes in May! If you are interested you must register for each hike. Details for each hike are listed below. Davis Creek Regional…
Historically, families in the United States cared for aging loved ones in their own homes until death took them. Individual families and neighbors also cared for family members with disabilities no matter the age. Towards the end of the 1800’s, increasing patterns of urbanization, 6-day work weeks, and long working hours for all family members…
Caregivers of aging family members often must deal with increasingly unusual, unruly, and embarrassing behavior from an aging family member or care recipient. These behaviors can range from the mild, like refusing to bathe, to personality changes, temper tantrums, and hallucinations. Sometimes, the acting out is an extension of the way the person has always…
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document created to grant another individual the authority to act on behalf of the person granting the POA. This authority may extend to legal, financial or medical decision-making. Any decisions made under a POA are binding. POA’s vary widely in scope. They may grant authority over certain…
Research shows that 68 percent of people age 65 and over are disabled, cognitively impaired, or frail enough to require eldercare. This includes not only medical care, comfort care, and supervision, but also assistance with such day-to-day activities as preparing meals, cleaning, shopping, transportation, paying bills, scheduling and getting to doctor appointments, and even answering…
Typically, parents of children with disabilities are forced to be extremely meticulous in regard to medical planning for their children. Between meeting with several different doctors, and any medication that has been prescribed, parents have to be on top of things, knowing exactly what their child needs in any situation. However, a new study has…
People in the autumn or winter years of their lives are often advised to put together an “Advance Directive” (AD) with the help of their doctors and attorneys. This documentation relates to specifics of their medical care, wishes, and acceptable interventions, should they become incapacitated. As people become more aware of the possible consequences of…
In the New York Times article, “This Was Not the Good Death We Were Promised,” Karen Brown talks about how she cared for her father who was dying from pancreatic cancer. While she was sad that there were things she could not promise him, she felt that she could as least promise him a painless…
Even the heartiest among us can feel a little beaten down by ferocious winter weather events. Frigid weather can come on quickly, with little warning, and can surprise us with unexpected severity or duration. For the more vulnerable of us, such as the elderly or disabled, this is particularly complicated. Not only can driving or…
Owning your own home or having quite a bit of equity in it may be a great way to supplement your income as you age. If you have exhausted your savings and have little or no monthly income, and you own your own home, it may be time to consider a reverse mortgage. What Is…
There was a time when the idea of having debt on one’s personal balance sheet was heavily frowned upon. It was considered prudent to eliminate debt as quickly as possible and take on new debt only as necessary. These lessons were imparted from parents to children, who generally heeded the sage advice of the experienced…
Glaucoma has been dubbed the “sneak thief of sight.” Outside the examination room, symptoms are essentially non-existent until vision is lost. Once the disease has stricken a victim, the damage is irreversible. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), 2.7 million people in the US currently suffer from glaucoma. That number is expected to rise…
Moving an elderly parent or relative into a care facility can be one of the toughest family-related decisions a person can face. A conclusive decision on when the appropriate time has come to move an aging parent out of the home can be elusive for a variety of reasons. By understanding and acknowledging the human…
Whether a senior relative or friend is still living at their own home, or your elderly parent is moving into yours, keeping a safe environment and minimizing risks and hazards is critical to their well-being and longevity. The following list of tips, ideas, and guidelines may help to provide clarity – or spur additional ideas…
Don’t wait for an unexpected accident to cause a crisis in your or your loved one’s home. Learn how to decrease the risks of living at home independently as you age and how to meet care needs before they lead to a dramatic change in your home routine. Read the following article to discover ways to plan ahead and give yourself and your loved ones the best opportunities to age well and age happily.
Taking on the role of Caregiver to your loved one can be challenging and exhausting work. Many adult children find themselves sandwiched between meeting the needs of their children and their parents.