Family Caregiver Blog

Medicare’s Triple Aim

If a new car is in your future—even just a new-to-you car—look for features that support your role as a family caregiver. For instance, extra room for carrying things can make your job a lot easier! More important, look for features that will protect your back as you help your loved one in and out…

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The caregiver-friendly car

If a new car is in your future—even just a new-to-you car—look for features that support your role as a family caregiver. For instance, extra room for carrying things can make your job a lot easier! More important, look for features that will protect your back as you help your loved one in and out…

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Is your bathroom “senior-friendly”?

Falls due to environmental causes are the most preventable of all threats to older adults. And in that regard, the bathroom is one of the most dangerous rooms in the house. Eighty percent of all falls occur in the bathroom. Slippery floors, hard surfaces, and unforgiving edges are just some of the hazards. Getting up…

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Beware rogue pharmacies

We’re all buying products via the Internet these days. Even medications. It’s easy, and online merchants frequently offer bargain prices. Many of us are trying this route for relief from high drug costs. Unfortunately, a study by the National Association of Pharmacy Boards revealed that more than 60% of medicines purchased online are fake or…

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Curb your negative thinking

As humans, we are hard wired to pay more attention to what’s not working or dangerous than what is going well. For instance, dwelling on a parent’s growing weakness and instability rather than on his or her uncomplaining attitude. This tendency to notice the negative can help us learn from mistakes and avoid preventable problems….

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If the unexpected happens

As a family caregiver, you have probably thought a lot about your loved one’s safety. Perhaps you have even gotten him or her a wearable call button for medical emergencies. But what if something happens to you? For instance, a car accident on the freeway? Or a trip-and-fall incident in a parking lot? How will…

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Is it sepsis?

Sepsis occurs when the body overreacts to an infection. Its occurrence is on the rise, and it is deadly. You don’t catch sepsis from someone else. It’s a complication of an existing infection—of the lungs (pneumonia), bladder, or skin, for instance. With sepsis, the normal healing process goes awry. A too-massive immune response spreads through…

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Talking to your parents about money

In some families, money equals love. In others, it’s a measure of success. It’s a sensitive subject, yet it needs to be discussed. Part of supporting your loved one involves understanding his or her thinking about money. After all, something could happen where you suddenly need to step in and manage the finances. Conversation starters….

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“Promise you won’t …”

The request every daughter or son dreads: “Promise you won’t put me in a nursing home.” The child in you wants to provide a soothing answer: “Of course. Never.” Best to pause and think this through first. You can’t predict the future—your loved one’s needs or your own health and abilities. It may be that…

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Preventing a second heart attack

Recovery from a heart attack takes time. First there are the physical and emotional reactions to deal with. A big part of recovery, however, is embracing lifestyle changes to keep the heart as healthy as possible and prevent a recurrence. It takes dedication to change old habits. But the effort is much less than what it…

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