You may be familiar with the five stages of grief, which most people go through when a loved one dies. But did you know that caregivers experience emotional phases as well? Some of these feelings may happen right away, while others will surface over time. As a caregiver, it’s important…
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the number of home care aides was projected to grow by 48 percent between 2008 and 2018. This growth is the result of the rise in people over of the age of 65 needing home care and the need to replace those…
It is an exciting time to be in the caregiving field! Finally, in-home care is now being viewed as a solution for caring for our aging population and not just a haphazard job that doesn’t require any skill. In-home care is essential, and people of the “sandwich generation” are finally…
It can be a rather difficult time when you come to the realization that you need an in-home care provider to help with things that were once so easy to do. Deciding to have someone come to your home to assist on a regular basis is a big decision and…
Many families reach a point when they recognize that an older relative needs more than occasional assistance. When a family member is the best one to provide full-time care, a written agreement may be the best way to clarify expectations and avoid conflict. The person providing care for a loved…
It’s never easy to make the transition from being a child, niece, nephew, spouse, or grandchild to becoming a caregiver for an aging relative. You may have to consider issues like housing and transportation, powers of attorney and health care directives, mental health and cognition of your aging loved one,…
Many senior citizens fail to report pain to a doctor because of a common misconception that pain is a natural part of aging. However, pain is a signal that something is wrong in the body and should be taken seriously. The number of adults experiencing chronic pain has been on…
The nighttime hours can be a time of danger for some seniors who live alone. Falls often happen at night, when an elderly person gets up to use the bathroom. Some seniors experience sleeplessness or increased anxiety at night. Many with early and mid-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s disease exhibit increased…
Mental health is as important for senior citizens as it is for other age groups. Some of the most common mental health issues occurring among older adults are depression, anxiety, grief, and mood disorders. While such issues are common among older adults, they are not a normal part of aging.…
According to the American Institute of Stress, 60 percent of all human illnesses and disease are caused by stress. In addition, 1 in 5 Americans experience extreme stress, which means these folks may experience heart palpitations, depression, and shaking as a result of the stress. What causes stress? For many,…
