Tips and Resources for New Caregivers

Are you a caregiver to a loved one? Caregiving can be a tough job. It can be rewarding, too.

Many Americans are turning to technology in hopes of detecting or preventing medical conditions or diseases, like Alzheimer’s. More than just expensive, emergency room visits for senior loved ones with the disease can be confusing and traumatizing.

A large study showed that older adults with a higher risk of dementia may be able to reduce their risk of cognitive decline by almost 50 percent by using hearing aids.

The information below is excerpted from an email that I recently received, and could be very helpful in the case of an emergency such as the one described.

Talking about different types of care in the abstract, however, doesn’t make it any easier to figure out whether you should age in place or enter one of the various types of facilities that offer care. That’s because every person’s situation is unique, and every person has unique needs and motives as they choose the type of care they want.

Dealing with dementia symptoms in your own parent can stretch the limits of your sanity. Sometimes you may not even notice the first symptoms of dementia -- the slow decline of your aging parent's memory.

The Better hearing Institute (BHI) reports that recognizing and treating hearing loss may help more than just your hearing. BHI is working to raise awareness of the link between hearing loss and other important health issues. As part of its awareness and outreach efforts, BHI is encouraging adults of all ages to take the free, quick, and confidential online hearing check on the BHI website. Anyone can take the online survey to determine if a comprehensive hearing test by a hearing professional is needed as a next step.

Are you wellderly? When we think of the term “elderly,” we immediately associate it with terms like “old” or “sick.” Wellderly Day encourages us to re-examine what “old” means and promote a healthier, more beneficial perspective on aging.

Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Did you know that, according to an article in Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation, close to 80 percent of elderly people experience foot problems? Ill-fitting footwear is a major cause of those problems.

Here is some information that will help you understand the common problems that seniors experience with their footwear. You'll learn what features to look for in a pair of shoes and get practical tips that can make your shopping easier.

Ask the Nurse: Christine Hammerlund, President of Assured Healthcare Staffing and Nurse

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, it is smart to be aware of changing roles with aging parents.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for developing more severe complications from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Learn how you can be an effective caregiver while also taking care of yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic. Always follow guidelines from the CDC, and consider the following tips.

Many older Americans choose to move into some form of senior housing. But each year more and more choose to stay in their homes. It’s not a black-and-white choice, and whatever arrangement you choose, home care can dramatically expand your options.

Individuals who earned $66,000 or less in 2018 can self-file their federal and state taxes for free and save an average of $200 in fees by using My Free Taxes.

You work hard to build your retirement savings. Protect what you’ve built—make sure your savings are distributed according to your wishes if anything happens to you.

Medicare is removing social security numbers from Medicare cards. The change is to help protect your personal identity. Your Medicare coverage and benefits will stay the same and continue without interruption.

Medicare will mail you a new Medicare card with a special Medicare number that’s unique to you. Your social security number will no longer appear on your Medicare card. People enrolling in Medicare for the first time will get the new card from the start.

Arts and crafts have a long tradition of connecting generations. Quilting is no different. For hundreds of years, families have passed down the craft, signature patterns and plenty of stories to boot.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office, Walgreens and several local police departments have prescription drug disposal boxes to take back your old, outdated or unused prescription drugs.

Find out what items are accepted and a disposal location near you.

What does an "expiration" date on medicine really mean? Is it dangerous if you take it anyway? Less effective?

It turns out that date stamped on the label actually means a lot. It's based on scientific evidence gathered by the manufacturer showing how long the drug's potency lasts.

People who have reached their later years may think it's primarily a time to relax, not to increase their physical activity. Not so. Previous research has suggested that exercise can improve memory and reverse muscle loss in older adults, among other benefits.

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