When elder care in the United States is compared to other countries, it ranks near the bottom in certain aspects including affordability, care coordination, access, and timeliness of care. Canada comes out looking better, however, there are loads of out-of-pocket expenses that make elder care management quite difficult at times. Overview of Canadian Long-Term Care Canadian long-term care assistance varies from state to state, both with the cost and what the government will provide. The majority of the elderly remain in their own home or with family members and receive…
Nursing Home Coronavirus Safety
Senior care communities were in the news early on. For a short period in February 2020, the epicenter of the novel (new) corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nationally, could be found at the Life Care Center, a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington. Nursing home coronavirus safety was an immediate concern. Since the first resident tested positive for the virus on February 19, it saw a disproportionate number of its residents affected by corona virus. Since that time, and as of this writing, 37 deaths have been linked to the COVID-19…
Who Qualifies for Meals on Wheels?
The U.S. population is rapidly aging. There are more than 46 million U.S. citizens aged 65 or older. By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 or older. By 2050, the number will be almost 90 million! The in demographics comes with a profound impact on social services that serve seniors. Many of these people will qualify for Meals on Wheels. What is Meals on Wheels? Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers hot, nutritious meals to individuals – often home-bound individuals – who are unable to purchase…
Top Ten Best Alzheimer’s Caregiver Books
More than 5 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. There are many Alzheimer’s caregiver books to inform those providing the care as experts predict that by 2050, there will be nearly 14 million people living with Alzheimer’s. There are more than 16 million unpaid caretakers that provide about 18.6 billion hours of care. Caregivers are subject to depression, guilt, loneliness, and psychological distress. The quality of their life and health suffer. Family caregivers may have little or no training when it comes to dealing with…
Eldercare and Assisted Living in Mexico
This is a guest post written by Jolina Flowers of Expat Prepper. She lives in Mexico. Wondering about eldercare in Mexico? Many people are. With the cost of medical expenses and nursing homes rising, while pensions and social security benefits dwindle, it’s no wonder that many older adults are considering Mexico for their golden years. Traditionally reliant on families for eldercare, Mexico has begun transitioning away from home care in many areas to accommodate the influx of expats. Senior Living Care Options in Mexico The choices seniors have for eldercare in…
Protecting Older Adults from Coronavirus Covid-19
The coronavirus outbreak is all over the news and there are no signs the outbreak is letting up anytime soon. Just the opposite, actually. All indications are it’s just getting started. Unless you’re living under a rock, you know that our seniors, older adults, are in the highest risk category along with people who have underlying conditions (heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease). Older adults with underlying health conditions are particularly at-risk if they contract Covid-19. There is no guaranteed approach to staying safe from the virus, but there are…
Ten Brain Exercises for Dementia
Dementia is a type of brain disorder that mostly affects older adults. While its causes are still unknown, brain exercises can help keep an older adult sharp and wise. The rate of dementia increases with age, and there are no medical treatments that can cure it completely. In addition to decreased memory capacity, dementia comes with many different issues that include Sundowners Syndrome, delusions, and hallucinations. But, if you do some physical and mental exercises, this could help reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, or at least delay or reduce…
7 Ways to Keep Your Old House Warm this Winter
Heating costs are a serious concern for many elders living in cooler climates. Couple high heating costs with older homes, and you have an expensive heating season. As winter approaches, you start to feel the temperature taking a dip. An obvious solution is to crank up the heating, but that takes a toll on costs. There are plenty of ways to stay warm in your home while lowering power costs. So before you dial up the switch and plug-in extra heaters, here are seven affordable ways to keep your house…
Seniors Wellness and the Technology to Improve It
Senior Wellness and Technology For many seniors, it can be difficult to find ways to stay healthy and active. A tight budget, health or mobility issues, and lack of access to the right nutrition or exercise are all factors. Fortunately, there are many ways older adults can utilize technology in order to boost their physical and mental wellness, and even combat senior loneliness. These days, there are so many options out there for those who want to focus on their well-being, and they don’t have to bust their budget. From…
Download the SLUMS Alzheimer’s Test in Spanish
Looking for the SLUMS exam in Spanish? Hispanic and Latino Americans are the second-largest ethnic group in the United States. As that population ages, the incidences of Alzheimer’s Disease among the population will increase as well. The SLUMS exam is available to assist in diagnosing the disease within Spanish-speaking populations. We have received a copy of the SLUMS exam in Spanish directly from the Division of Geriatric Medicine at Saint Luis University. If you are unfamiliar with the SLUMS test, or you want to download it in English, go to…
How Much do Meals on Wheels Cost?
Have questions about Meals on Wheels? How much do Meals on Wheels cost? What it is, how it’s funded, and who is eligible? Your questions are answered below. What is Meals on Wheels? Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers meals to the homes of seniors who are homebound and unable to purchase or prepare their own meals. It is a nationwide program made up of over 5,000 local community-run programs. The meals are typically hot meals delivered by volunteer drivers. Meals are often delivered five times a week.…
Panama Eldercare and Senior Care for Expats
Panama eldercare and senior care is a topic that might cross the mind of retirees looking to become expats in popular places like Boquete, Panama or other spots in this retirement-friendly country. According to one source, between 20,000 and 30,000 Americans and Canadians live in Panama. If you’re hoping to be one of them, you might be wondering about eldercare should you need it, whether for yourself or any loved ones going with you. It’s one thing to retiree abroad, and another to grow old abroad. Before you pick your destination,…