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…
Category: Caregiving
5 Cold Weather Safety Tips for Seniors
It’s important to make sure that the older adults in your life are prepared to have a safe and healthy winter. It doesn’t take much effort and the result can be peace of mind for you and your loved ones, knowing that winter can be challenging for anyone, particularly for older adults. Here are just five tips that you can do before and throughout the winter. 1 – Be Prepared for Emergencies While this is just a general good rule of thumb for all of us, it is particularly important…
The Long Distance Grandparent – Staying Connected
“grandPad” has created a helpful infographic on keeping connected with family members via modern technology. There are a variety of methods some may have not heard of. See below. Presented By grandPad
Families Caring for an Aging America Report
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has released a report called Families Caring for an Aging America. Their press release on the report states, in part: The committee that carried out the study and wrote the report found that by 2030, 72.8 million U.S. residents – more than 1 in 5 – will be 65 or older. According to the National Survey of Caregivers, in 2011, 17.7 million people – or approximately 7.7 percent of the total U.S. population aged 20 and older – were caregivers of an…
How to Talk to Mom versus Dad About In-Home Care
Watching an older parent age and become more frail and vulnerable is hard for many of the 44 million American family caregivers of those over the age of 50. As our parent held our hands to balance our steps, made our meals, bathed us, etc. many adult children find themselves in this same position helping and caring for an aging parent. But, getting quality help with activities of daily living (called ADLs) in order to keep a parent at home as long as possible can not only be affordable but…
Older Americans Act Signed Into Law (Again)
President Obama recently reauthorized the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016. The act re-signs into law and updates the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA). The new OAA is valid for three years. The goal of the act is to help seniors live as independently as possible in their communities. The OAA funds essential services for older adults, including: Senior Centers Transportation Caregiver Support Meals Health Promotion Enrollment in Benefits Falls Prevention Disease Prevention The OAA also highlights economic welfare, elder justice and legal services, and modernizing senior centers.…
Do You Need An Elder Care Mediator?
Families don’t always agree on care giving issues for older adults. A trained, impartial, and compassionate adviser may be just what a family needs – before arguments start. Enter elder care mediators, professionals experienced in conflict resolution. Often they’re attorneys, social workers, psychologists, or counselors. Mediators talk family members through difficult situations and misunderstandings, and help brainstorm solutions. As a neutral third party, mediators can advocate for both elderly adults and caregivers when the tough decisions come around. The mediator does not provide advice or “take sides” but facilitates dialogue,…
New Alzheimer’s Data: 2016 Alzheimer’s Facts And Figures Released
The Alzheimer’s Association recently released updated Facts and Figures, with emphasis on the disease’s effect on families and caregivers. The 2016 edition includes a special report of the financial impact of Alzheimer’s on families. Other highlights from the report include: Prevalence More and more Americans – 5.4 million in 2016 – are living with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, that number may rise to 13.8 million. Mortality Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. 700,000 deaths from Alzheimer’s are projected in 2016. Fatalities from the disease…
Oral Health And Stroke Prevention Go Together
Need a reminder to brush your teeth? Oral bacteria are linked to the risk of stroke, according to a study done by researchers at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka, Japan. The single hospital study observed hemorrhagic stroke patients. In a hemorrhagic stroke, blood vessels rupture in the brain and cause bleeding. The researchers found that 26 percent of patients who suffered hemorrhagic strokes also had the cnm-positive Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) oral bacteria in their saliva. Patients with the S. mutans bacteria also had more cerebral microbleeds,…
Medicare and Social Security: Resources To Know
Medicare offers a new interactive map showing geographic disparities in chronic disease among Medicare recipients. This map examines racial and ethnic disparities, as well as geographic, across the United States. Take a closer look for data on many specific topics, including: The prevalence of 18 chronic conditions Medicare spending Hospital utilization, preventable hospitalizations and readmissions Mortality rates Offered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health, the map is designed to help target populations for interventions. Users can sort by state or county of residence, age,…
10 Things You Should Know About Caregiving
Caregiving’s a tough job, but you’re not in it alone. Put these tips and resources in your toolbox. For All Caregivers Prepare Early Even if your family’s healthy, having a plan can ease stress if illness or disability does strike. Talk to parents or any loved one about their potential needs, hold a family meeting, and agree on an action plan. Medicare charts what every caregiver should know, and the Family Caregiver Alliance provides a Caregiving 101 primer. Topics you’ll want to consider include legal planning, financial planning, and first…
Resources for Grandparent Caregivers
Grandparent caregivers are on the rise. Census data shows that there are approximately 2.4 million grandparents raising 4.5 million children. When the grandchild’s parents are unable or unwilling to care for the child, a grandparent may step in to assume responsibility for the child. It may be a temporary or permanent situation caused by a wide range of issues, including military deployment, illness/disability, incarceration, substance abuse, lack of resources, death, etc. These grandparent-headed households are often referred to as “grandfamilies.” Grandparent caregivers face a number of challenges, aside from the…