Caregiving

Alzheimer’s and dementia can make you feel depressed, alone and socially isolated. When ‘normal’ people don’t understand your need for human contact, what do you do? Lori La Bey is here today to share some incredible information about useful social interaction resources. Enjoy the show! Read More

Dementia could be quite depressing for both the person who suffers from it and those who care for them. Is there a way to bring joy into a life of deteriorating mentality? Our guest today, Lori La Bey, will share with us the importance of nostalgia and happy memories when dealing with dementia. Enjoy the show! Read More

In my recent HuffPost50 article, I wrote about things to look for when visiting older relatives during the holidays. For many, the holidays are one of the few times during the year when you get to really see how they are faring. And if you have not seen someone for say six months, declines in mental or physical health can be readily apparent. Read More

One of the hardest decisions you’ll ever make as a dementia care partner is when to move your parent or partner into memory care. Once the move is done, you next need to know how to work effectively with care staff. The fantasy is that the move goes off without a hitch, and then life just magically gets easier. In my experience, though, that’s about as common as running across a unicorn in the wild…

Being a caregiver is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Whether you are a professional or you are looking after someone in your own family, the work, while emotionally fulfilling, is also exhausting and stressful. Sometimes you just need a break! Read More

A month before mom passed, I had the opportunity to attend a health care meeting at a local residential hospice. In my 15 years living in North Carolina, I had never been there and boy was I impressed. So when mom faced the need for hospice care, I immediately knew where we were going to go. Read More

Unsafe senior driving is a serious issue. So, when you see warning signs that your parent or spouse is no longer safe behind the wheel, you have to get them to stop. But some older adults stubbornly refuse to give up the keys. Read More

What do you do when your elderly parent is no longer a safe driver?

How to get an elderly person to stop driving is a top concern among caregivers. If you’ve discovered that your parent or someone close to you is no longer a safe driver, talking to them about giving up the car keys is one of the most difficult conversations to have. But it is one that’s extremely important. Read More

I did my first “research” paper in 2nd grade. I chose Harriet Tubman. When I learned what one woman could accomplish against unbelievable odds, I was hooked. I devoured stories of female trailblazers, marvelling at Marie Curie, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Dr Elizabeth Blackwell. Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, and Malala Yousafzai have inspired me. Being a trailblazer is hard work. Read More

A short-term stay in an assisted living home can feel like a relaxing vacation for an aging loved one. With housekeeping, meal preparation, and entertainment all taken care of, your loved one can focus on things they enjoy. Things like making new friends or participating in scheduled activities.

There are many reasons to consider an assisted living vacation for an older loved one. Here are the top five: Read More