Watching your parents grow old is never easy, and trying to provide love and care from afar can present its own unique set of challenges. Long-distance caregiving requires some planning in order to keep your loved one happy, safe and cared for, even when you cannot be there. Here are some ways you can make sure your senior loved ones receive the support and care they need.  Stay Connected with Your Loved Ones A major challenge for long-distance caregivers is feeling like they are involved in the health and well-being of their senior loved ones, but advances in technology make it easier than ever for you to always stay connected.…

If your parents are getting a little older and need some help with daily chores like preparing meals, dressing and remembering totake medications, you may be unsure about where to get them the assistance theyneed when you’re not available. Traditionally, older adults transitioned into anursing home when living in their own home became too much of a challenge. Today,there are a number of options for older adults who are slowing down a little,but don’t require full-time medical care. Adult day services can be a good,affordable alternative to a nursing home for millions of older Americans. What are adult day services? Adult day services are usually available during regular business hours…

Submitted by Lydia Chan When it comes to paying expenses relating to Alzheimer’s care, sorting through resources and finding realistic options can be a daunting task. What’s more, when you are working to ensure your loved one’s needs are met, being burdened by financial concerns complicates matters; you want to provide the best care, but overspending is counterproductive. Here is important information on how to provide excellent Alzheimer’s care and cover the associated costs. What Does Alzheimer’s Care Cost? The type of care being administered greatly influences the expense of meeting the needs of someone with Alzheimer’s. For instance, an in-home aide ranges from $15 to $26 per hour, depending…

Assisted living communities have made leaps and bounds in quality, luxury, and caliber of service over the years. One of the characteristics of a great assisted living community that often goes overlooked, though, is location. While it might be great for you to have your elderly loved one in a community that is conveniently located, the benefits of a community-centric assisted living community extend far beyond that. An Increased Feeling of Safety and Security Assisted living communities are already designed to be as safe as possible for your loved ones, and a central location within a community further increases that. Residents can also rest easy knowing that being centrally located…

The holidays are a time of joy and happiness as you reunite with family and friends in an atmosphere of love and generosity – but they can also be quite stressful for some. Making plans, buying gifts, and cooking meals for loved ones can disrupt normal everyday routines, which can make staying healthy a challenge. One difficulty for many is understanding the limits that an elderly family member may have. Giving your elderly loved ones options during the holidays and asking them what they want to do without anticipating their limitations is a great way to help them maintain their health and happiness throughout the season. Keep the following tips…

Downsizing can be a mixed blessing for seniors. On one hand, it’s an emotionally-charged experience for someone trying to eliminate belongings to which they may be deeply attached. On the other hand, it’s a chance to start a new life in a smaller space with fewer physical attachments, an overall positive change. Having fewer financial- and maintenance-related responsibilities will allow you to focus more on your happiness and less on your home. For those who find downsizing a difficult idea to accept, it’s important that they approach it methodically, patiently and with the loving support of an understanding caregiver. Here are a few tips for caregivers who can help make…

Memory-affecting diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia do more than just make a person forgetful of important dates, names, and faces. In fact, as these diseases progress, even eating properly can become an issue. There are no foods that reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s, but maintaining good nutrition can help ease symptoms and maintain physical health. Keep It Simple Healthy diets are universal, whether a person suffers from Alzheimer’s or not. A meal plan that covers all the bases includes: A varied menu. Nobody likes eating the same thing day in and day out, so keep a variety of fruits and vegetables, grains, proteins, and low-fat dairy on rotation for a…