It’s important for family caregivers to develop good sleeping patterns to boost their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Lack of sleep could lead to caregiver burnout, among other issues. Here are some of the reasons family caregivers need a good night’s rest. 1. Reduces Stress Caregiving can be a stressful job, and stress can lead to hypertension, inflammation, unstable glucose…
The cognitive health of seniors with Alzheimer's will decrease, even with the best possible care. As the disease progresses, seniors begin to forget familiar objects, places, and people, including their children and close family members. The days, weeks, and months following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be challenging for both seniors and their families. However, these challenges can be made less…
As your senior parent ages, you can expect difficult conversation topics to arise. At some point, you may need to talk to your parent about age-related issues that cause him or her to require assistance at home. You may also need to discuss difficult news, such as a new health diagnosis or the loss of a loved one. While none…
People with diabetes are 150 percent more likely to have strokes. There are several different things that contribute to this increased stroke risk. Understanding the ways diabetes can contribute to strokes can help your aging loved one lower his or her chances of having a stroke. Obesity An underlying problem with type 2 diabetes is that it makes it difficult…
Many seniors experience a decrease in mobility as they age. Some loss of mobility may be inevitable as a combination of aging muscles, weaker bones, and decreased cardiovascular function make activity more difficult. However, with a little bit of effort, seniors can maintain their mobility for years. Here are a few ways to promote mobility in the elderly. Use Mobility…
Dancing brings out the inner child in older adults. Moving to music, spending time with friends, and getting out of the house are just a few of the things that make dancing so beneficial. As seniors step to the beat of the music, they can enjoy the following benefits for their physical and mental health. 1. Practice Weight Management Many…
There are several tools available to help families care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. However, you may not realize something as simple as Post-it Notes can be extremely useful for Alzheimer’s caregivers. If you have these sticky notes somewhere in your house, you can use them to manage your caregiving duties. Here are some ways using Post-it Notes can help…
When seniors interact with nature, it's bound to make them smile. Moreover, some outdoor activities can summon their laughter and cause healthy changes to occur in their brains and circulation. Here's how contact with nature can benefit your senior loved one. Sharper Focus & Memory Engaging with nature can boost attention span and recall. In 2008, University of Michigan psychology…
The cognitive changes that accompany dementia sometimes cause older adults to become stubborn. While it may be frustrating when your senior loved one refuses to go along with your requests, remember it’s difficult to understand his or her line of thinking. In most cases, your loved one isn’t trying to upset you. Instead, he or she may be confused, afraid,…
Hearing the news that your senior loved one recently fell is upsetting, and this could also be a sign something in his or her care plan needs to change. Seniors sometimes fall as the result of health conditions, or they might be trying to do too much on their own. Once seniors fall, they’re more likely to fall again. Your…