To say that we live in a high-stress society would be an understatement. We all suffer from one form of stress or another, but senior caregivers tend to get more than their fair share of it. Even though they acclimatize to dealing with higher levels of stress than most people, eventually they will succumb to the negative effects of stress. That being said, there are many ways to deal with the types of long-term stress that caregivers are prone to. Read more for tips.

One of the most difficult decisions a senior has is what plan to choose once they start Medicare. Though the original Medicare has no coverage for fitness and wellness programs, Medicare Part B and C have three fitness programs and two wellness services to offer for seniors, which either takes care of the costs entirely or can alleviate the financial burden depending on your fitness needs. Here are some of the best ways to stay fit as we age and, more importantly, how to do so affordably through the fitness and wellness programs that are covered by Medicare.

Being diagnosed with dementia is one of those situations we pray we never encounter. The ramifications of dementia on the person afflicted and their family can be severe. Loved ones often feel helpless as they’re forced to watch someone they love change as the different stages of dementia take their toll. Even though dementia can be extremely challenging, there’s a great deal of misunderstanding and misinformation around the issue that has made it difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction.

The healing power of music is something we have all heard discussed or experienced. Music can lift our spirits, wring emotions from our hearts, and touch us deeply and fundamentally in a way that transcends the physical world. Modern medicine has continued the tradition. Our understanding of music and the way it works on us has deepened with time, giving us a new tool in our arsenal towards improving the lives of our patients, especially the elderly. Read more here.

Caring for people means touching them, not only emotionally, but physically as well. This is a basic premise that we all know instinctively. When a baby cries, our first instinct is often to hold it to help it calm down. Of course, seniors are not babies, but they do have a fundamental need for basic human touch. Communication between people tends to be subliminal with words only helping to emphasize details. Non-verbal communication takes the lion’s share in communication. Seniors who live alone are able to get by, but it is important that they share experiences with others, including not ignoring their sense of touch.

Seniors may have experienced significant trauma in their lives, and if this is not dealt with, it can become a feedback loop in which new stressors take a higher toll on their well-being. One tip is doing what you can to facilitate or maintain family and friend connections will benefit your elder loved ones immensely. Keeping your attitude and language positive can also help them maintain their positive outlook. Read more here.

The heat of summer can be grueling for even the most fit and active people. For seniors, there are real dangers that ought to be taken seriously, particularly during the hottest times of year. First and foremost, have a conversation with the doctor or nurse who is caring for your loved one. Some medications don’t do well in high temperatures and may begin to break down or lose their potency. Here are some additional items you should do for your senior loved ones once the temperature starts to rise into the dog-days of summer

Understandably, as we move through our twilight years, many people have a difficult time accepting that they need help. There are many familiar stories out there of aging moms, dads, grandparents, uncles, and aunts who simply refuse to even consider receiving in-home senior care. And many will tell you to forget about transitioning them into an elder care facility! Learn tips on how to handle these type of situations early on.

Some scammers may ask for verification of the beneficiary’s SSN to begin the process. They may also demand that a processing fee be paid for this “upgrade.” Medicare has stressed that they are not placing any calls relating to the card-replacement process, and that any such call is fraudulent. The cards will be delivered by mail, which is the method for delivering any correspondence surrounding the subject. To read more about this scam and what to lookout for, click here.

Common causes for falls among the elderly include: chronic health conditions leading to low blood pressure or dizziness, fatigue and muscle weakness, and eye or ear impairments that can affect depth perception and balance.  An underlying infection such as a UTI can also be a cause for increased falls.  If your loved one has experienced a fall recently and/or you suspect they are having multiple falls, you should encourage them to be seen by a medical professional immediately.

Another possible cause for frequent falls is unsafe living environment or routine.  Consider a home safety assessment by an Aging Life Care Expert or Certified Care Manager to identify fall hazards in your loved one’s home.

The best way to address falls and to stop them from happening to your parent is to identify the reason they are falling.  Encourage your parent to visit their Primary Care Physician or healthcare practitioner to identify health concerns that are leading to falls.

It can also be helpful to have your parent’s living environment assessed for safety by a professional.  There may be fall hazards present in their home that can be eliminated to avoid further falls. Aging Life Care Experts and Certified Care Managers are able to provide home safety assessments to identify potential dangers in the home and help form a plan to remove present risks.

There are many types of long-term and short-term care facilities to choose from when you are considering placement for your loved one.  Our Aging Life Care Experts use a wide variety of assessment tools to find the best fit for each individual client.  Our team takes into consideration information pertaining to level of care needed, location, current medical providers, transportation, social needs, current routine, finances, and even food preferences.  It is important to take into account these and other variables when choosing placement, to make sure your loved one receives every opportunity to thrive in their new environment.

Cost differences between Assisted Living and Memory care can vary depending on multiple factors including location and can differ from facility to facility.  The 2017 Cost of Care Survey by Genworth Financial, Inc. states the average monthly cost for an Assisted Living private room in California to be $4,275 per month (National median was $3,750 per month).  Memory Care units offer additional care and often have staff specifically trained to work with people with dementia and Alzheimer’s, so the costs are generally quite a bit higher (can be a $1,000-$2,000 difference).  Each facility has their own methods for establishing care costs, so the best way to find the costs specific to your area and needs is to contact your local Aging Life Care Expert or Certified Care Manager.

Your local Area Agency on Aging is a good place to start to locate general assistance and resources in your community for your parent with Alzheimer’s.  You can also find resources through the Alzheimer’s Association Community Resource Finder.

Your best bet to finding the specific resources your parent needs however, is to contact a local Aging Life Care Expert or Certified Care Manager in your geographical area.  They are professionals that are knowledgeable and experienced in finding resources for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s and can get you the specific answers you are looking for.

Medication Administration can be a tricky topic, especially if you have an aging parent living independently, and whom you suspect may not be taking their medications effectively.  If this is the case for you, there are many resources to support your loved one and ensure they are getting the medications they need and as their doctor prescribed.  Assistance can be as simple as a new pharmacy that can bubble-pack and deliver medications to your loved one’s door, or as complex as scheduling care staff or finding placement options for your parent.

To figure out just what your loved one needs for effective medication administration, you can contact an Aging Life Care Expert or Certified Care Manager.  They will be able to assist you to identify specific areas of concern and problem solve with creative solutions.

Some older people are able to successfully navigate the perils of old age, without the aid of family and kids. So, what’s the secret? What makes some older orphans navigate old age on their own successfully comes down to two main factors: acceptance and planning. Read here to learn more about how you can apply those factors to your own life.

Despite these benefits of health insurance becoming more affordable, and not being denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, you still face a critical fundamental decision as this landmark birthday arrives. It’s important that you take the time to analyze your new health insurance choices. Learn more about Medicare and the different options that they have here.

Deciding that your loved one needs assisted care is difficult but moving forward once that decision has been made can be just as distressing. Especially when we hear the numerous scare stories and scandals involving assisted living facilities through the country. These stories can range from residents being wrongfully evicted to Draconian laws that leave residents no choice in the care they receive. To make sure you are picking the correct facility for your loved ones, read more about it here.

It is not a conversation that any child wants to have with their parents. At some point, however, you may start to notice the signs and realize it is time for Mom or Dad to hang up their car keys. On one hand, your parents are full-grown adults and you, even as an adult yourself, are still their child. You may wonder what right you have to tell them what to do. On the other hand, you are concerned for their health and safety. You obviously don’t want them to get hurt, and it feels like your responsibility to keep them safe. This situation can be handled with a minimum of hurt feelings if it is done with care, kindness, and compassion. Learn more about how you can approach this delicate subject.

Diet and lifestyle are the most important factors in determining our levels of health and wellness. They are directly connected to heart-health and, by extension, longevity. The American Heart Association has some guidelines that you can follow to lead a healthy life. Read about them here.

Seniors are the demographic most vigorously targeted by scammers and con-artists. If your aging parent is victimized by a scammer, be compassionate. Do everything in your power not to exacerbate their feelings of guilt or shame. Do not blame them. If your parents have been conned, encourage them to share everything they know with the authorities in hopes that they might help to protect other potential victims. Becoming more educated on the ways scammers victimize people is vital to helping anyone, especially an elderly loved one.

Pay-to-play is becoming the M.O. of just about every economic sector, and healthcare is also following this trend. Interestingly, ‘concierge care’, where people form old-style connections with a doctor dedicated to their family’s treatment, is a whole new level of care, right at the very top. You can learn more about Concierge Medicine by reading about it here.

The need for geriatric medical specialists has never been greater. Despite this, the number of practitioners in the field is steadily declining. Though it may be difficult, it’s important to make every possible effort to locate a geriatric specialist in the area of residence of your senior loved ones. Read here to learn more about Geriatricians.

Vets in need of modification to their homes or living accommodations may qualify for some of this funding under specific grant programs. These grants are typically awarded only once within the lifetime of the veteran. They may be distributed as needed over time, or in a single lump-sum. You can learn more about government grants for veterans here.

Falls in the elderly are a very common occurrence. It is estimated that approximately 250,000 older Americans are hospitalized every year for hip fractures alone, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no 100% safety barrier to wrap yourself in, but there are many ways to reduce your risk of taking a fall, whether you are at home, outdoors, at work or away. Read moreabout how you can help prevent your elderly loved ones from falling.

With today’s technology, everyone can be connected to someone else. Especially if you are homebound, there are plenty of new ways to reach out to family members and loved ones. You can have the Internet hooked up in your loved one’s home and take advantage of all the digital world has to offer. Technology can also help you better address their needs with options like fresh grocery delivery to homes by online order, and Senior citizen programs that provide elders with the opportunity to have a bus pick them up to shop, or motorized scooters for getting around a neighborhood. You can see how technology can help you stay in touch by reading more here.

If and when the time comes to choose a reliable nursing home, there are many things to consider. Oftentimes, choosing a senior care facility will be prompted by a medical emergency. Consider, however, that you can take some helpful steps to benefit you and your loved one when choosing the best possible nursing care. Check out these tips on how you can ensure you are finding the right Nursing Home for your family.

Trying to run your business while taking care of a loved one is a huge challenge. For those who are involved in juggling the hours in their day between work and caregiving, this has added up to between $17.1 billion and $33 billion in lost revenue. Yet, there are ways to reduce the stress on business owners, and you can learn about them here.

Nobody wants to hear an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. It can be a truly heartbreaking experience – not only for the person with the disease, but their family as well. Fortunately, however, there is hope, with new treatments in development. Read here to see how far advancements in Alzheimer’s treatment has come.

Chances are your parents have given you plenty of reasons why you should not lie to them and instead tell the truth. And maybe you’ve had similar conversations with your children or another loved one. So now, when your parent has a failing memory it can feel counterintuitive or cause feelings of guilt to lie to them, even if it means helping them to avoid an anxiety attack or gets them to eat. Learn more about the ethics behind lying to your parents as their memory fails.

Caring for an aging loved one can be difficult as well as rewarding. Preplanning and taking a realistic look at the demands of your situation can go a long way in preventing future problems, including caregiver burnout. However, it’s not always easy to plan for costs that you might not be aware of. Learn more about these costs here.

The 2017 Stanislaus County Senior Report makes for interesting, if alarming, reading. It provides a comprehensive study of the county’s seniors ages 60 and older, with the main point of interest being the health and well-being of this vulnerable demographic. To get a clear picture, the report has studied several factors, including the physical and mental wellbeing of seniors, nutrition, emergency room visits, disability status, rates of falls amongst seniors, main causes of death, and elder abuse.

A private Geriatric Care Manager, or Aging Life Care Expert, is a professional that provides a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older dults or others facing ongoing health challenges. They provide guidance that leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress, and time off work for family caregivers through assessments, care oversight, planning and problem-solving, educations, advocacy, and coaching. The Care Manager can carry one or more degrees or licenses in the social science or health fields and is usually certified in case management. The Case Manager operates from a private company but can hold memberships to national organizations such as The Aging Life Care Association and the Case Management Society of America.

It is easy to become socially isolated as we age, but research shows that this can negatively affect our health and lead to poor quality of life. Some ways to prevent your loved one from social isolation are working to eliminate the following risk factors:

• Living Alone
• Emotional/physical distance from family
• Boredom
• Decrease in mobility/access to social engagements
• Depression
• Physical afflictions such as poor hearing/vision
• Untreated cognitive problems or lack of support for memory loss
• Significant life changes without significant support
• Negative influences or abusive relationships

Addressing these items when present can prevent social isolation and maintain the quality of life for your loved one. Contact a Private Geriatric Care Manager/Aging Life Care Expert today to find solutions for your loved one.

Risk factors include:

• Being over 50 years old
• Post-breast tissue density
• No/Late pregnancy
• Long-term use of oral contraception
• Exposure to radiation
• Lack of physical activity
• Post-menopausal weight gain
• Life-long obesity
• Diets high in saturated fat
• High alcohol consumption
• Late menopause
• Family History of breast cancer

Contact your Private Geriatric Care Manager/Aging Life Care Expert for more information and education.