Being a caregiver for a senior loved one is an important role to play in the older adult’s life. Caregiving involves helping a senior meet their physical, emotional, and social needs as they navigate the challenges of aging. It can require a person to perform a wide range of tasks, from helping with activities of daily living or meal preparation to managing medications and arranging medical appointments to ensuring safety in the home environment.
While important and fulfilling, caregiving can also be overwhelming, physically demanding, and emotionally taxing. Caring for a senior loved one also requires the caregiver to take care of themselves to prevent burnout and continue to help their senior loved one. Here, we offer resources on caring for a senior loved one to help caregivers help themselves and their older adult loved ones.
Seniors who are hospitalized after an illness or accident don’t always return home immediately. Instead, their case manager may recommend a short-term stay in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) to help them recover further. Skilled nursing facilities provide crucial nursing services, including wound care, injections, and physical therapy, plus support with activities of daily living. […]
Memory care communities are specialized senior living communities designed to meet the challenges that can come with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. These specialized units or buildings are staffed with team members trained on best practices of dementia care and feature environmental designs that maximize comfort and safety. People in the early stage […]
If your loved one has received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, it can be overwhelming to know what to do next: Determining the kind of help and support they need can be challenging if they’re still in the early stage of the disease and seemingly able to live safely at […]
We all understand that dementia can lead to a decline in cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, and judgment, but there are numerous additional symptoms associated with specific types of dementia. Among these, hallucinations can be particularly distressing for both the individual experiencing them and their caregivers. Understanding dementia-related hallucinations and learning effective ways to […]
Caregivers are the heroes of our communities, dedicating countless hours and boundless energy to supporting their loved ones. This invaluable role brings immeasurable rewards, fostering deep connections and profound personal growth. However, even the most devoted caregivers can face burnout and exhaustion. Remember, prioritizing your own well-being isn’t a luxury – it’s an investment in […]
“Jill” was overwhelmed. Her husband of forty years, “Mike,” had dementia and was getting worse. He needed someone with him constantly or he became anxious and agitated. He followed Jill from room to room. Jill had aides coming to their home 12 hours a week, but it wasn’t enough. Her caregiver burnout was affecting her […]
Being a caregiver comes with great responsibility. Whether you’re paying bills, scheduling appointments, planning activities, or managing medications, it can feel like a full-time job. It’s no surprise that caregivers’ mental and emotional health can struggle under the pressure. Taking steps to prevent burnout is essential. Caregiving starts with caring for others, but caring for […]
They could have expected it. They might have seen the signs that a senior patient was repeating questions, calling familiar items the wrong name, or taking extra time to manage their daily routine. When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, the news can be devastating. While it’s important to support them through it, their […]
They could have expected it. They might have seen the signs that a senior patient was repeating questions, calling familiar items the wrong name, or taking extra time to manage their daily routine. When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, the news can be devastating. While it’s important to support them through it, their […]
Caregiving isn’t an easy job. The daily demands of taking care of seniors can be stressful and strenuous. It can be difficult to remember that those you take care of have a vast range of experiences, stories, and memories to share. As caregivers, sometimes the stress gets to us, and we can see them simply […]