Category: Blog

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are still conditions that are not completely understood in terms of the causes and potential treatments of the disease and its symptoms. However, research has come a long way toward understanding them better. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, then you’ll likely want to learn more about what this means. To get you started, we’ve got a simple introduction into how Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain, and which parts of the brain are affected, helping you get a better understanding of the symptoms associated with this condition. The effect on neurons Neurons are responsible for sending signals throughout the brain, transmitting information to cells throughout the body via the nervous system. Plaque and protein clusters build up between these nerve…

It can be difficult having to suddenly rely on others for things that you’ve been managing yourself for your whole adult life, but this is the challenge that many seniors face as they age. Problems like a loss of mobility, declining eyesight and hearing, and cognitive problems including diseases like dementia can all lend themselves towards a loss of independence as we age. Get technology on your side Whether you love it or hate it, technology can actually help you maintain your independence in a number of ways. You can get around easily with apps like Uber and Lyft, shop online if it’s difficult to get to the shops, or you can use online meal subscription services to have ingredients and recipes delivered to your home, allowing you to still…

As more seniors adopt modern technology and smart devices in their everyday lives, it puts the less tech-savvy of them at risk of things like fraud and online scams. Seniors are often the target of this kind of activity since it’s assumed that they’ll be more susceptible to it. If you think a senior loved one may be at risk of online fraud and scams, read on for some tips and things to make them aware of that could help them protect themselves from this. Understand how official bodies work Take a look at official statements and policies from any official body that you may have to deal with in your day-to-day life, such as banks or the IRS. They will provide information about how they communicate with their customers…

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…