Author: hallenmedia

Staying personally and emotionally connected with loved ones who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is so important. Especially as the disease progresses, they may not always remember who you are or the memories you’ve shared together, but you can still have special moments going forward, ensuring that your loved one still knows that they are cared about and loved. And gift-giving is a common way to show that we care. So, through the challenges of dementia, let’s look at what kind of gifts you can give to celebrate your relationship, whether that’s with a parent, a spouse, a friend, or another family member. Their favorite media Music, in particular, is great for triggering memories, so gifting your loved one a CD, record, or even something like an iPod with their…

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are conditions that we usually associate with seniors. But it can also be diagnosed much earlier in life, which is known as early-onset Alzheimer’s. Read on to find out more about early-onset Alzheimer’s and some tips for managing this condition. What is early-onset Alzheimer’s? Early-onset Alzheimer’s is a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s before the age of 65. It commonly occurs when people are in their 40s and 50s, but can even be as early as their 30s. This is generally the same as a regular Alzheimer’s diagnosis with the same kind of progression, just earlier in life. Early-onset Alzheimer’s is much more common when there is a genetic component, i.e. when a biological parent or grandparent also had Alzheimer’s. While there are a number of…

If we’ve always been able to hear and see well, then we often take these and other senses for granted throughout our life. But lots of everyday things can damage our sight and hearing, especially when those things affect us repeatedly over time. We’ve already provided some tips about how you can look after your eyes and your sight as you age, so let’s also look at some ways to protect your ears and your hearing. Why it’s important to look after your hearing Statistics show that almost 25% of adults aged 65-74 in the US have some form of disabling hearing loss, and this figure jumps to 50% for adults over 75. While hearing problems can be caused by certain conditions that become more common as we age, a…

After spending decades or even close to a lifetime together, it can be heartbreaking to watch your partner’s condition deteriorate in your senior years. This is the reality facing lots of seniors following their loved one’s diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other neurodegenerative conditions. If you or someone you know is in this position, then read on for some helpful resources and coping strategies. Learn about the disease and symptoms Once you learn about your spouse’s dementia diagnosis, it’s a good idea to learn what you can about it to inform and prepare yourself. Understanding the diagnosis can help you better support your spouse while also preparing you for what is to come in terms of the progression of the disease. Talk to and include your spouse Talking to…

Often, it comes to a time where one of your parents needs to move into senior living or assisted living because they live alone and can’t manage all of their needs themselves, or because they have different care needs than their spouse and require more comprehensive care. But what about when both of your parents require care or senior living? If you or your parents are in this situation, then let’s look at some tips and considerations for a couple moving into senior living together. Benefits of moving together Whether or not their care needs are the same, continuing to live together through their senior years is likely to be good for the mental health of your parents. Loneliness and depression are, unfortunately, common problems among seniors, so keeping this…

Many people prefer the idea of staying in their own homes throughout their senior years, so if they get to the point where they need regular care, an in-home carer is often the best option. If you’ve decided to hire an in-home carer for your parent or another senior loved one, then it’s important to build a good relationship with them so that you can support each other with your parent’s best interests in mind. If you’re in this situation or will be in the near future, then here are some tips for working together with your loved one’s in-home carer. Get to know each other Your loved one and their carer are obviously going to be spending a lot of time together, and you’re likely to be around their…

If your parent or another senior loved one is starting to need care due to a disability or health condition, then you may be considering whether to provide care for them yourself or whether to hire a professional carer. To help you make this tough decision, it helps to first understand what your responsibilities would be when becoming a caregiver. Read on for some general duties required from most caregivers. Dressing and bathing Depending on their condition or level of mobility, your loved one may need help with basic daily activities such as washing and bathing, getting dressed, and grooming. Grooming needs may include hairstyling, shaving, trimming nails, skincare regimes, and more. Housekeeping Cleaning and tidying the house can become difficult for seniors with low mobility or a loss of…

If your parent or another older adult in your life has reached a point where they need some level of care, then you have various options to choose from depending on their needs and preferences. If they don’t want to move into a senior living community, then another option is to hire an in-home carer. If you’re in this position, then here are some tips to help you hire an in-home carer for your senior parent. Understand their needs first It’s important to know what your loved one needs first. This will help you find someone suitable and will also help potential candidates know if the job is suitable for them. You may have a good idea of this already, especially if you’ve been providing some level of care for…

As we get older, our needs start to change. It may reach a point where we don’t have the mobility or fitness levels required to move around a large house every day or repeatedly go up and down the stairs. Cleaning and maintaining a large home and garden can particularly be difficult for seniors. And, of course, some seniors may require a senior living or assisted living facility to better support their needs. In all of these situations, some level of downsizing will be required as you move into a smaller, more manageable house or apartment. Read on for some tips on how to help a senior relative downsize effectively. Take it step-by-step Decluttering and downsizing aren’t processes that you can get done in an afternoon. As well as being…

Retirement gives you a new level of freedom. You no longer have to stick with your usual routine of getting up early and going to work 5 days a week. So, what should you do with yourself? Some people find themselves initially feeling bored and a little lost when they retire. If you’re planning for retirement or are a recent retiree, here are some ideas of things you can do with your newfound free time. Pick up a new hobby Is there something that’s always interested you but you’ve never found the time for? Well now is the time to do it! You might want to learn a new language or learn how to play an instrument. Take up gardening, fishing, or photography. Join a local club or class to…