For one family, it started when mom broke her hip. She showed signs of memory loss, but her husband and other family caregivers had things mostly under control. When a late-night fall sent her to the hospital and then rehab, it seemed to increase her confusion. She was weak, at risk for another fall, and more forgetful than ever. Her family was concerned about dad’s ability to continue caring for her and worried about the toll caregiver duties were taking on him. That’s when the family got a dialog rolling about long term care for mom. Of course, every situation and every family are different. But usually, warning bells begin when family members realize mom needs more supervision than they can offer. What Are Some of The Signs Mom Needs Long Term Care? Dementia and cognitive decline are among the main reasons families choose long term care. According to the Elder Care Alliance, some of … [Read more...]

Damage to your hip or knee joint can seriously slow you down, making the most basic tasks and movements challenging. When we’re in constant pain, it may be tempting to rely on medications that aren’t good for our health long-term. If you’re in this situation, it may be time to think about joint replacement surgery. But remember, as successful and frequent as it is, joint replacement is still major surgery. Successful recovery from joint replacement takes time and effort from both patients and providers. One thing almost every patient wants to know is: when is the right time? What Is Joint Replacement Surgery? Joint replacement surgery involves removing joints damaged by injury, wear, and tear, or arthritis and replacing them with artificial materials. The most commonly replaced joints are the hip and knee. These are weight-bearing joints and take the brunt of years of impact from … [Read more...]

Everyone benefits from exercise. From preschoolers to the elderly, staying active can have a positive impact on physical and mental health. Staying active is especially important for seniors, and has clear health benefits. But it can be easy to slip into a sedentary lifestyle as we get older. By age 75, one-third of men and half of women engage in no physical activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Many factors may limit dad’s motivation to exercise. But as adult children and caregivers, there are many ways we can help. How Much Activity Do Seniors Need? The general guideline for seniors (and other adults) from the US Department of Health and Human Service is 2 ½  to 5 hours of moderate exercise each week or 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 ½ hours of vigorous activity each week. This is a piece of cake for active seniors. However, for elderly adults and seniors with … [Read more...]

Remember when our parents had to remind us to wash our hands before dinner every night after playing outside? For many adult children of elderly parents, the roles are now reversed. Hand washing has long been an essential factor in keeping seniors healthy. With the advent of COVID-19, washing hands and basic hygiene are more important than ever. Reminding the seniors in our lives to wash hands--and making sure they do it properly-- is an integral part of keeping them safe. Why Is Handwashing So Important? Countless studies have shown that proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control, up to 80 percent of infections are transmitted by our hands. And it’s not just about COVID-19: we can stop flu, colds and intestinal viruses in their tracks with proper handwashing. Feces is one of the most significant … [Read more...]

These are challenging and scary times for seniors and their families. Statistics show that COVID-19 is taking a heavy toll on the elderly. Meanwhile, long-term care facilities have become a kind of ground zero for COVID-19 infection, and nursing homes must take dramatic action to keep residents safe. Protecting seniors, whether they’re at home or in a long-term care facility, is the most important thing we can do. But isolation can also take a toll on seniors’ well-being. How can adult children and family members support their loved ones during this public health crisis? As a family member, one of the most important things you can do is to help your parents know they’re loved. Help them stay connected during the crisis, even though in-person visits may not be possible. Helping mom or dad adapt and learn to use technology can play a significant role. Supporting Parents in Their Homes … [Read more...]

The relationship between seniors and adult children can be incredibly rewarding but also extremely challenging. As our parents age, roles tend to get reversed. This is a natural progression, but it can be frustrating for both parent and child. When our parents need help but aren’t ready to accept it, things become even more complicated. As family members, our goal is to preserve our loved ones’ dignity and treat them with compassion while guiding them and helping them stay safe. One of the sticking points for many families is getting mom or dad to accept in-home help or a move to assisted living or long-term care. There’s often a point where children feel this is necessary, but the senior isn’t entirely on board. Cognitive issues, grief after the loss of a spouse, worries about finances and other emotional dynamics can complicate the situation. As the AARP points out, it sometimes … [Read more...]

Making medical decisions for yourself and your loved ones can be overwhelming, especially when there’s a senior involved. It can be intimidating to advocate for your loved ones when dealing with doctors and medical providers in positions of authority. While these providers almost always have your loved one’s interest at heart, they are busy professionals with lots of cases on their plates. So making sure that your loved one gets what they need often falls to family members. The decisions of doctors and other medical providers used to be taken as gospel. But these days, patients and family members are learning to advocate for themselves to achieve the best possible outcomes. It is possible to respect providers while still focusing on your loved one’s best interests. Families are learning that asking questions and even challenging providers’ decisions are allowed and informing yourself is … [Read more...]

As we all know, Americans are living longer than ever and often need support on a short or long-term basis as they age. Long term care and short term rehab offer plenty of growth careers, with new jobs being created all the time. These positions also give compassionate individuals a chance to make a difference in the lives of seniors and folks with disabilities or chronic illness and their families. Medical providers and professional caregivers help seniors and others stay happy, productive and comfortable in short-term rehab or long-term care. Why Consider a Profession Working with the Elderly? Working with seniors and patients with disabilities is one of the most rewarding fields you can choose. It involves working with patients, their families and other healthcare and wellness team members. If you are a “people person” with a compassionate heart and patience, it’s an ideal career … [Read more...]

The transition to long term care can be a challenging one, and the holidays can be especially tough. Mom or dad may already be struggling with losing independence and connection to family and old friends. Add in the emotional weight of Christmas away from home, and it can be a recipe for frustration and resentment. Fortunately, there are strategies for making the transition easier and using the holidays to help your loved one embrace their new environment. It just takes a little flexibility and a willingness on your part to let go of old patterns and expectations. Here are some tips for helping mom or dad have a happy holiday in long term care--and for staying sane for family members. Presence matters. Spending time with your loved one is the most important step you can take to make things easier this holiday season. Don’t attach too much significance to dates on the calendar as … [Read more...]