Providing transportation involves a lot more than having a car and time available. Getting your relative safely in and out of a vehicle can be a special challenge—for your loved one, but also for you. Back problems are the most common caregiving injury! Here are some tips: Don’t rush. Give yourselves 15 minutes extra, in…
It used to be considered normal and harmless for a hospital patient to be disoriented following surgery or while recovering from illness. Studies now show that delirium actually has serious consequences. In particular, it can make memory loss and dementia worse. It can last long after the hospitalization. And it seems to even increase the…
There are many aspects to financial stewardship. A primary goal is to ensure that you are prepared to manage things if a family member is suddenly sidelined. This article provides an outline of the types of information you should gather ahead of time. You don’t need to cover all these topics in one visit. But it’s…
Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) is when the rhythm-keeper of the heart goes a little haywire. Normally the heart has a steady beat, like a clock. All four chambers contract in sync and blood is efficiently pushed through. During A-Fib, the top two chambers hesitate. They quiver and get out of sync with the bottom two. It…
In October, the National Fire Protection Association reminds us to think about fire prevention and check our smoke alarms. People over 65 are twice as likely as others to be killed or injured by fires. Follow these steps to protect your loved one: Prevention Check that your relative does not overload electrical outlets when space…
If the person you care for has advanced dementia, visiting him or her may feel very challenging. After all, how do you connect with a person who is unable to converse? You may wonder if it is even worthwhile to visit. Research suggests that during late-stage dementia, a person’s core self remains. Much like in…
Nails are important because they protect the delicate tips of our fingers and toes. They are much like hair: new growth is happening constantly. Nails grow in layers, below the surface of the skin. By the time you see them emerging from the base where the “moon” is, the nail cells themselves have died. (That…
The right to choose for oneself is deeply embedded in our culture. It is one of those inalienable rights of adulthood. The courts are very cautious about infringing on that right. You don’t want to be disrespectful, either. And yet you may notice changes in your relative’s judgment that have you concerned. For instance, can…
As a family caregiver, you are likely experiencing many types of loss, each triggering normal, if uncomfortable, emotional responses. Losing the person you love. Illness and frailty can change a person. So, too, can some of the behavior and personality changes that often occur with dementia. The absence of familiar ways to connect may bring…
If you’ve ever had heartburn, you know how painful it can be. Sometimes the symptoms mimic those of a heart attack! The underlying cause involves acid from the stomach sloshing up onto the sensitive lining of the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This condition is called GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease….
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