Too often when we talk about the disabled population, we focus on what they can’t do. But much more important is what they can do, and that list of possibilities grows all the time as new technologies reverse impossibilities and courageous people blaze new trails. But for those people with disabilities who are not connected […]
Continue ReadingMy father, with his well-earned wisdom, would often talk to me about his estate planning. “My son,” he would say, “I don’t plan to have any estate.” That was his basic philosophy when it came to life. He and my mom would help us out while they were alive, but he intended to enjoy the […]
Continue ReadingHome care is a precious resource that helps aging adults age gracefully and comfortably in their own homes while preserving their dignity and helping them maintain a good quality of life. With home care, aging adults are able to easily carry out activities of daily living, receive help with food prep and medication management, and […]
Continue ReadingWhen an older adult has a caregiver come to their home to assist them with everyday tasks, the possibilities for staying and aging at home are greatly extended. With the help of client service managers, homes can be updated for safety and accessibility, medical needs and appointments can be consolidated to minimize and simplify care, […]
Continue ReadingRay loved his home. He’d lived there with his wife Doreen for over 50 years. He knew every creaky spot on the hardwood floor, every crack in the walls, and every mark on the bathroom door where Doreen had recorded the heights of his growing children. Since Doreen’s passing, Ray’s children had been discussing talking […]
Continue ReadingOf the many timeless forms of universal human expression, play tops the list, eliciting the brightest experiences of joy and abandon in the present moment. As a caregiver for a loved one with dementia, play can help infuse otherwise routine days with laughter and fun. But don’t just take our word for it; empirical research […]
Continue ReadingSarina’s life once revolved around the great outdoors. Since her retirement, she had spent most of her days gardening, going for long walks, and attending Tai Chi classes in the park near her house. Since her stroke, however, everything changed. Sarina was no longer able to get outside and do the activities she loved with […]
Continue Reading“Books have gotten me this far in life. I don’t see why I’d stop now!” Those were the words of Marla when I asked her if she ever thought she’d stop reading so much. She is an inveterate bookworm, and even when she’s taking day trips, she’s got a paperback tucked away somewhere in her […]
Continue ReadingHere at Institute on Aging, there are few things we emphasize more than the importance of socialization and the positive impact it has, mentally, physically and physiologically. Or, to put it another way: being with people is good. It’s not really groundbreaking. Except for people who genuinely prefer to be alone (and there is nothing wrong […]
Continue ReadingIt can be hard to notice gradual changes in your aging loved one’s health and behavior when you see them every day. But keeping an eye out for these changes—perhaps spending a few minutes to take daily caregiver notes—could catch health insecurities before they decline further. This includes paying attention to unintentional weight loss, which […]
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