Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease is the most common type people are diagnosed with. With this diagnosis, seniors can expect the health condition to progress through the usual five stages, but it’s important to remember that how fast this process occurs is different for everyone. Though Parkinson’s disease isn’t fatal on its own, it does cause symptoms that increase the risk of…
The first three months after a stroke are when most people experience the greatest gains in recovery. These months are also critical for helping seniors establish healthier lifestyles that prevent additional strokes from happening. Knowing what to expect during these three months can help you figure out the best ways to boost your aging loved one’s health as he or…
Since most forms of dementia aren’t entirely curable yet, seniors often wonder how they can prevent it from developing. There are all sorts of rumors about how drinking wine each day can prevent dementia, but at the same time, there’s also the idea that too much alcohol can end up causing dementia. The reality is that alcohol's effects on dementia…
When taking care of an elderly parent with Parkinson’s, developing a high-quality care plan should be your first task. The plan is a document of actions, duties, needs, and contacts that can help you and other family caregivers manage the disease and boost your loved one’s quality of life. Here are some of the tasks and situations you need to…
Conveying their thoughts to friends, family caregivers, and medical professionals is essential to the recovery process of stroke survivors. However, due to the effects of the strokes, seniors may lose many of their cognitive abilities, including communication. Continue reading to learn what communication devices your aging loved one can use while recovering from a stroke. Emotion Cards If sharing emotions…
Following a stroke, seniors must be very careful about what they eat. Filling up on unhealthy foods increases the risk of having a second stroke and slows recovery. The act of eating can be challenging as well, which is why stroke survivors should stick to nutrient-dense foods that are easy to chew and digest. Here’s a quick look at five…
If your aging loved one has recently been discharged from the hospital, chances are high that he or she may need to be readmitted in the near future. This is especially true for seniors who have chronic or unstable health conditions. Here are some reasons it’s good to reduce hospital readmissions for seniors. Prevent Hospital-Acquired Infections Infections aren’t uncommon, especially…
Dementia can do more than impact memory. It can also negatively affect visual-spatial skills. Some of the visual-spatial problems caused by dementia include wandering, the inability to recognize familiar people or objects, and difficulty doing normal activities such as driving. Learn how dementia causes these visual-spatial issues. Degeneration of Nerve Cells and Brain Tissues When seniors develop dementia, the progressive…
From the moment a person first earns a driver’s license, driving becomes the ultimate symbol of independence. While some seniors are perfectly fine letting someone else take the wheel, others are hesitant to give up the ability to sit in the driver’s seat. When your aging loved one begins to experience changes in mental or physical health, keep an eye…
A common issue many family caregivers face is feeling like they cannot take a break. Many report feeling guilty or ashamed when they take any time to focus on themselves instead of working on caring for their senior loved ones. It can be challenging to overcome these feelings, but you need to remind yourself that self-care isn’t a selfish action.…