Taking care of a loved one is a complicated experience. It’s full of many hardships and heartaches, but also moments of joy and love. However, one of the most defining parts of caring for a declining loved one is uncertainty. It’s often impossible to know what tomorrow will bring, and that unpredictability lies heavy on caregivers’ shoulders, particularly during a worldwide pandemic.  How do you plan for a future you can’t see coming? The answer lies in preparedness. Consider the most likely scenarios, and take all of the uncertainty into the equation. Caregivers have to think about the ..read more

One of the most challenging things facing our seniors is loneliness. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy for those in the “sandwich generation” to forget how long the days can be for their loved ones living alone. Covid has exacerbated the isolation many seniors experience. Loss of mobility, failing eyesight and hearing, and the loss of friends and families over time, leads to often desperately isolated lives. This video gives us a small peek at what it’s like for seniors living alone. If you have a friend, neighbor, or loved one who is living alone or is isolated due to mobilit ..read more

One in three Americans over the age of 65 take 5 or more prescription medications daily. Photo by Steve Buissinne Pixabay Overmedication in the aging population is an area of concern that is drawing attention as the population of people over the age of 60 grows rapidly. It is described as the use of medications that aren’t clinically indicated or are overly aggressive for the condition that they are being treated for. Because the elderly are prone to chronic conditions such as hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, and more, elderly patients are often prescribed multiple medications; als ..read more

THESE SIMPLE FORMS COULD CHANGE THE WAY YOU LIVE AND DIE Preparing your ADVANCED DIRECTIVES now could save your loved ones pain and heartache later. A Power of Attorney, DNR, and Living Will can make all the difference in how you live and die. Most of us never think about becoming permanently disabled or dying. Life passes quickly. We’re all so busy with work, kids, spouses, chores, caregiving, and more. Who has time to think about that? When we’re reminded about such unpleasantness, we tend to push it off to the side; something to think about ‘someday’, but as we all know, time has a way of ..read more

Historically women have been recognized as the world’s caregivers. They provide care for their families, their spouses, their aging parents and grandparents, but in today’s world, more and more men are assuming the role of caregiver. Females are traditionally considered nurturers while males (traditionally) are not. So what happens when those roles are reversed? How do men handle the role of caregiver and what can we do to support them when they must assume this new, possibly unfamiliar role of nurturer and caregiver? Of course, we know that not all women are loving and nurturing and not all m ..read more

Assisted living is a great option for those who prefer to move into a community where care is available as needed or for those whose care needs exceed those that can be safely provided in the home. There are a variety of Assisted Living options including: Small personal care homes or adult foster homes These small assisted living homes are generally family-style with caregivers that live in the home with the residents. Often the owner lives in the home and care is provided 24 hours a day. Residents live together as a family and caregivers help with all of their personal care needs, medications ..read more

Recommended Reading for Caregivers of Dementia Patients Nobody understands what it’s like to care for a loved one with dementia like someone who’s been there. What works for one patient won’t necessarily work for another, but through trial and error, from first-hand experience, many caregivers and medical professionals have come up with tips and suggestions to help other caregivers. Here is some suggested reading from others who have walked a mile in your shoes. The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer Disease, Related Dementias, and Memory Loss by Nancy L. Mace ..read more

Medicare Mental Health Coverage Options: Tips for Seniors About one-third of U.S. adults age 45 and older report feeling lonely — and, due to an increased number of aging adults, the number is growing. ~AARP #Loneliness #Depression For many people, the Holiday Season is a joyful time where friends and families make a point to get together to spend quality time with one another. Sadly, that’s not the case for many. The holidays can be an especially challenging time for seniors who live alone or far from friends and family. Limited transportation options and changes in the weather can make it i ..read more

(ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS) It took nearly a year for Kelly Macauley to realize the health plan she bought while shopping for insurance coverage last October was not, in fact, insurance. Sure, red flags popped up along the way, but when she called to complain, she said, she was met with explanations that sounded reasonable enough and kept her paying her $700 monthly premiums. She said she was told that her medical bills weren’t being paid because the hospital was submitting them incorrectly. That Jericho Share, the nonprofit that sent her a membership card reading “THIS IS NOT INSURANCE,” wa ..read more

Nazila Tatashadze “I love to come to work every day. I love my clients. They’re like my own family. It’s really hard to watch them decline” ~Nazila Tatashadze Eleanora Tatashadze and her daughter Nazila of Rocky Hill have always been passionate about helping others.  Their motto, “We put the passion in compassion” sums up the culture of their business.  Arriving in America in 2003, Turkish immigrant, Eleanora’s first job was as a caregiver. She loved helping others so much that in 2009 Eleanora decided to start her own Home Care Agency serving the elderly. Her staff would care for ..read more