Savoring Good Experiences

Caregiving

Sharing happy experiences, like sharing a good meal, warms and strengthens friendships and family bonds. There are other benefits to savoring positive experiences. Even in the privacy of your own thoughts, reflecting on pleasant memories is an easy and effective way...

Balance exercises to prevent falls

Caregiving

If remaining independent is a goal for your older relative, bringing some balance to his or her life is essential—balance exercise, that is. All it takes is short but consistent focus for Mom or Dad to significantly reduce the chance of a fall. In one study, two...

Reducing the risk of falling

Caregiving

Has your mother fallen recently? She’s not alone! One out of four adults 65 and over experiences a fall each year. That makes falls the leading cause of injury for older adults. Falls are serious business A few statistics: In the U.S. an older adult dies once...

“I don’t need help” – Part 3

Caregiving, Long Term Care

It’s not easy to lose abilities and admit you need help. The reluctant elder in your life is more likely to ease into acceptance if you provide good listening, compassion, and a commitment to working together. In this third installment of our series, we look at...

Safe traveling for older adults

Caregiving

If Mom or Dad has summer vacation plans, be aware that older bodies are more vulnerable to the stresses of travel. Begin with a pretrip appointment with the doctor Suggest a meeting with the physician 4–8 weeks ahead of the vacation. Ask the doctor to assess overall...

Thrifty or hoarding?

Caregiving

We all accumulate belongings over the years. But when is it too much? According to Michael Tompkins, PhD, author of Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding and Compulsive Acquiring, your family member may be in the early stages of hoarding if he...