Although massage may feel like pure luxury, it also can be good treatment for what ails you or what ails your loved one. Today it is generally accepted that massage provides relief for pain, muscle tension, and stress. (Doesn’t that sound like something every family caregiver needs?!) Newer research is probing the benefits of massage…
Pets often become members of the family. They provide companionship and love, especially for an ailing elder. Your relative may be worried about a pet’s future when he or she is no longer able to provide care. Consider what you can do to make arrangements ahead of time to ease that worry. Formal arrangements Formal…
A stroke is a disabling, and potentially deadly condition. A blood clot gets lodged in the brain, denying blood and oxygen to those cells. In a very short period of time, that part of the brain can be damaged permanently. Depending on the location of the clot, a stroke can impair functions such as speech,…
Surprising but true: Adults over age 65 are candidates for drug overuse and abuse. Drug abuse is not common among elders. And it is often unintentional. But the misuse of prescription drugs poses exceptional dangers. Older adults are prescribed more drugs than any other age group. Roughly 80 percent of those over age 65 have…
“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” So quipped comedian Victor Borge. And indeed, studies bear him out. Laughter, especially when it’s a shared joke, creates a bond between people that generates a feeling of intimacy. Humor reduces tension and lowers stress. It also helps people to think more creatively and come up with…
Taking Mom to visit family this holiday? You may rest more easily knowing there are options for getting home if she gets sick or injured on the trip. Air Ambulance If your family member becomes critically ill, hire an air ambulance. An air ambulance is a chartered plane or other aircraft outfitted with life-support equipment….
If your loved one is worried about having enough money, he or she may be considering a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage enables a homeowner to turn some of the equity in a home into cash. You might think of it as an advance payment on the accrued value of the home. An approved lender…
Too often older adults assume that poor eyesight is a given. Indeed, half of us will have cataracts by the time we are 80 years old. But surgery is easier now and extremely effective. The importance of monitoring Cataracts involve a clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataracts develop slowly and require regular checking….
Go to bed when you’re ready, sleep without interruption, and do what you want all day. Ahhh… If you’re providing full-time care for your loved one, you may long for a night to call your own. Better yet, a few days and nights of R&R. An extended respite break isn’t indulgent, it’s smart. Providing care…
If you have family coming to visit this season, you may be feeling both excited and concerned—excited about brightening your loved one’s life with family gatherings and holiday events, and concerned that your loved one may become tired or anxious with the extra activity. It is wise to think ahead about factors that could add…
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