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  • Products for addressing incontinence Products for addressing incontinence - There are many undergarments designed to help with incontinence. They can't prevent it, but they can help your loved one feel more comfortable with outings and retain their dignity despite the embarrassment of accidents. Not all products are the same. Choose what's right for the situation and need. For outings, aim for a garment that… Continue Reading
  • Is Medicare Advantage the best choice? Is Medicare Advantage the best choice? - Once a year, Medicare offers the option to change plans. In 2021, the Open Enrollment period is October 15–December 7. Your loved one may be considering a switch to a "Medicare Advantage" plan. There are pros and cons. Medicare "Parts." People on "original Medicare" typically receive hospital coverage (Part A) and doctor care (Part B). In… Continue Reading
  • Depression after a scary diagnosis Depression after a scary diagnosis - If the person you care for has a life-threatening illness, you might think it's only natural for them to feel down. Even hopeless from time to time. But weeks of sadness are not a side effect one simply has to tolerate. It is not uncommon for someone with cancer or a similarly scary diagnosis to… Continue Reading
  • Too many pills: When less is more Too many pills: When less is more - More than half of older adults take five or more medications per day. That's "polypharmacy," and can be dangerous. Taking too many medicines can cause problems such as dizziness, mental confusion, and heart failure. It can create an increased risk of falls, which often lead to the end of independent living. An estimated 10% to… Continue Reading
  • Managing emotional outbursts Managing emotional outbursts - If the person you care for has Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, you may find their sudden emotional swings more difficult than their forgetfulness. Among many things, the disease has taken away their inhibitions. They can become quite irrational. And they are more likely to make a scene in public than they ever… Continue Reading
  • The "dignity of risk" The “dignity of risk” - One of the most challenging dilemmas when caring for an aging parent is balancing their preference for independence with your concern for their safety. If you have noticed lapses in cleanliness, meals, bill payment, or other areas, you may be worried that your loved one is not able to safely live alone. They may refuse… Continue Reading
  • Not all socks are created equal Not all socks are created equal - What do a marathon runner and your aging parent have in common? Both could benefit from compression socks! By applying pressure to the legs, compression socks help the valves in the veins do their work—so blood is pushed back to the heart and doesn't pool in the legs. The socks also help keep lymph fluid… Continue Reading
  • Dealing with anxiety Dealing with anxiety - It's only natural for family caregivers to worry. Understandably, we spend a lot of time thinking about "what's next." But if you are in a pattern of persistent worry and are starting to feel the stress in your body too—perhaps headaches, loss of appetite, or trouble sleeping—you may be dealing with anxiety. You are not… Continue Reading
  • Services at home: Medicare Services at home: Medicare - Medicare is health insurance provided by the federal government. It covers adults 65 and older, as well as persons with disabilities. In terms of home care, Medicare pays for visits only by medically trained staff. In that light, there are two programs: Home health care involves periodic home visits for a month or two. The… Continue Reading
  • Coping with another person's pain Coping with another person’s pain - When your family member is in pain, you are suffering, too. The "mirror neurons" in our brains are programmed to recognize pain in others. That's good news in that it arouses compassion and spurs us to action. But it can be bad news, too. When you are highly attuned to a loved one's pain, you… Continue Reading
  • What is a daily money manager? What is a daily money manager? - A financial advisor manages investments. A daily money manager (DMM) is someone who comes to the home once or twice a month to handle the mundane aspects of personal finances: Paying monthly bills (but your loved one signs the checks). Balancing the checkbook. Navigating health insurance claims. Resolving billing errors. Tracking donations. Organizing paperwork. Gathering… Continue Reading
  • The decision to stop dialysis The decision to stop dialysis - Dialysis is life sustaining yet also quite taxing for the patient. About 25% of people who choose dialysis later decide to stop. Typically, this is because the burdens of this kidney disease treatment have severely reduced their quality of life. The tradeoff becomes no longer acceptable. Ending dialysis is essentially a decision to let nature… Continue Reading
  • Learning to forgive yourself Learning to forgive yourself - According to psychologist Rick Hanson, PhD, we all have an inner critic and an inner protector. Together they help us maintain a balanced perspective. But too often as family caregivers, we have an overload of guilt, shame, and remorse, always feeling our performance is subpar, that we haven't done enough. This is not healthy. The… Continue Reading
  • The healing power of music The healing power of music - Can listening to calming music actually ease pain? Can singing silly songs make you happier? Researchers say this isn't just a folktale—it represents some of the measurable effects of music on the mind and body. Although it's not yet clear exactly how music works its magic, studies show that it is strong medicine, both in… Continue Reading
  • Dealing with criticism Dealing with criticism - Receiving criticism is never a pleasant experience, especially from family members. Whether it is a sibling griping about how you care for a relative or complaints from the person you are caring for, you may feel suddenly flooded with difficult emotions. Perhaps anger, shame, or confusion. We can't stop others from giving criticism. But we… Continue Reading
  • What is a Medicaid spend down? What is a Medicaid spend down? - There are two forms of government health insurance: Basically, age-based insurance for older adults (age 65+), regardless of income and assets. (Assets include money and belongings, such as a house or car.) Income-based insurance funded with federal and state dollars. (The state where your relative lives may have a name different than "Medicaid.") This insurance… Continue Reading
  • Bladder issues - If making it to the bathroom in time is a frequent concern for your relative, they may have an overactive bladder. More than 33 million Americans contend with this condition, in which misfiring nerves cause the bladder muscles to contract involuntarily. Your loved one may be too embarrassed to bring it up with the doctor,… Continue Reading
  • In Honor of Older Americans Month - Walt and Penny Reinhardt (My Parents) They met during WW2 - he, a handsome Yankee flyboy; she, a Morse Code operator for the Women’s Australian Air Force. He was fascinated by her flaming red hair and beauty; she was attracted to his bravado and good looks. They married and he moved her from the sunny… Continue Reading
  • April 16th is National Healthcare Decisions Day – Start the conversation - Advance care planning puts you in control of your end-of-life decisions by documenting the types of care you do and do not want. This also gives those you love the guidance to make decisions for you when you are unable to decide for yourself. It can lead to better outcomes and to reduced costs for… Continue Reading
  • Equality In Healthcare For African-American Older Adults - Racial equality is an important topic in the United States and around the world right now. As a society, we must work together to find solutions to ensure that People of Color have access to the freedoms and support they need in all aspects of life. Inequality in the health care system is another concern… Continue Reading
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