Rheumotoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other common conditions can make daily living difficult, sometimes painfully so, for your elder. Simple tasks such as opening a door or making a meal become challenging when stiff joints and chronic pain slow the process down. Luckily there are steps you can take to make life easier for your elder.
These [...]
Make Life Easier For Your Elder With Elderly Arthritis
August 9th, 2010Understanding Elderly Arthritis: What Every Caregiver Should Know
August 4th, 2010There are mornings Alma Ruddick drinks her coffee black. Opening the creamer – grasping and turning the small plastic cap – is just beyond her. “When the arthritis gets bad,” she said, with a shrug, “I just can’t make my fingers do what they’re supposed to do.”
Arthritis is what’s known as a degenerative inflammatory disorder. [...]
Long-Distance Caregiving: The Emotional Toll
July 9th, 2010Nearly everyone would agree: being the caregiver for an elder is one of the most challenging things we’re asked to do in this life. The job only becomes tougher when there are many miles between you and your loved one. Making sure your mother makes it to the doctor’s office is tough when you’re six [...]
The Heart Bears a Heavy Burden: The Emotional Impact of Caregiving
July 1st, 2010“I knew that this day would come,” Marianna G. said. “Our parents were getting older, and Dad’s health was never great. After his passing, I knew things would be hard – but I never realized how hard they were going to be! She depended on him for everything, and I mean everything. Now there’s nobody [...]
Keeping Families Strong: How Eldercare Resources Can Help
June 11th, 2010Happy families are all alike, Tolstoy told us, but every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. There’s no sure way to predict how your family will react to the pressures and stresses of caring for your elder in their time of need, but one thing is universal: help is required. Eldercare resources, such [...]
Summer Vacation…for Caregivers?
June 8th, 2010School’s out for the summer. The beaches are open. Carnivals and country fairs beckon. From the roar of tires tearing down the race track to the thunderous fireworks exploding in the July night, it’s a season for fun and festivity. It’s also the season for good old-fashioned relaxation, particularly if you can sneak away to [...]
Defining Dementia
May 18th, 2010When our elders experiences a change in their ability to remember information and access those memories as they wish, we talk about them having dementia. Many people think that dementia is a disease or disorder, but it is instead merely a collection of symptoms that may accompany a disease or condition. These symptoms include memory [...]
A Keen Eye and a Loving Heart: Watching for the Signs of Dementia
May 11th, 2010One of the challenges we have, as our loved ones become older, is to be aware of changes in mental status and how they affect everyday life. Alzheimer’s and Dementia are scary words, and often we shy away from even thinking about our loved ones facing these challenges. However, we can’t wish the effects of [...]
Love, Long Distance: The Challenge of Providing Elder Care at a Distance
April 16th, 2010No road is long when it brings us home…or so the song tells us. Sadly, reality is different than what pop music may tell us. Sometimes there’s a great many miles between us and our parents, grandparents, and other loved ones that need care, and that presents some unique challenges.
What has changed?
Once upon [...]
Long-Distance Elder Care Means No Shortage of Headaches
April 9th, 2010“Mama? Mama, are you there?” Jeannie pushed her bangs away from her face, a worried expression riding heavy on her brow. “Pick up the phone, Mama!”
There was no answer. “I hate this!” Jeannie exclaimed. “I don’t know what to do. I can call the neighbor, but I called him last time this happened, and he [...]
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