Conversations about dementia diagnoses are thankfully becoming more supportive and empathetic for a number of reasons. A dementia diagnosis is never easy. It is the start of an emotional rollercoaster of fear, anxiety, uncertainty, grief, and more, all of which are heightened if the diagnosis is conveyed starkly, without empathy or compassion. There are steps physicians can (and should) take when delivering a dementia diagnosis to ease the initial impact, empowering and equipping the individual and family with support and knowledge. Here are some of the ways physicians are striving to change h ..read more

Convincing aging parents to accept help at home is a challenging conversation for many family caregivers. It is a tough predicament many family caregivers face: your elderly parents, who once looked after you, now refuse the aid they so urgently need. It’s a delicate balance between respecting their freedom and ensuring their safety and well-being. If you’re ever in this position, you aren’t alone! We understand the range of emotions associated with acknowledging the need for care, and have some helpful tips  when trying to convince aging parents to accept help. Step Into Their Shoes Unde ..read more

Patience and compassion are vital components of communication with dementia clients. Have you ever said the wrong thing? Maybe your objective was to compliment a friend on her new haircut, but you came across sounding like you were criticizing her previous hairstyle. When it comes to communication with dementia patients, choosing our words carefully is always important. The words we say and the way we say them can significantly impact the person’s emotional well-being and quality of life. Here are five things never to say to someone with dementia, along with alternative approaches to foster co ..read more

There are a number of things that seniors can do to help alleviate the fear of falling in older adults. As we age, it’s natural to become more cautious about the risk of falling. For many people, however, the fear of falling in older adults can be paralyzing, causing a decrease in physical activity, social engagement, and overall quality of life. It is essential to address this fear head-on and empower older adults to live confidently and fearlessly. The following are some useful strategies to help alleviate the fear of falling in older adults: Gain Education: Knowing the factors that contrib ..read more

Learn about the needs of family caregivers from the caregivers themselves. If you’ve ever felt invisible as a family caregiver, you’re not alone. Caring for someone you love takes center stage, and you may find that the needs of a family caregiver are placed on the back burner. A recent listening session, however, allowed family caregivers to speak openly and honestly about what they need – and the results may surprise you. Here are some of the key findings and insights derived from these sessions. Respite Care: Balancing caregiving responsibilities with other aspects of life can be stressful ..read more

Get some thoughtful birthday party ideas for older loved ones to help them celebrate in style. If you’re interested in an enjoyable way to celebrate the life of somebody you love, nothing beats a birthday party! The key to planning a successful celebration for a senior family member is crafting birthday party ideas for older loved ones which are unique to the individual. Start by thinking through: • What size of an event should it be, according to their personal preferences? • What interests and hobbies are important to the person? • What brings purpose and meaning to their life? With this inf ..read more

Discover if round-the-clock dementia care is the right step in your Alzheimer’s care journey. Taking good care of a loved one with dementia requires continual adaptation to the individual’s changing needs. As the condition progresses, there comes a point when round-the-clock dementia care becomes not only beneficial but essential for ensuring the safety, well-being, and good quality of life for the person. Listed below are key indicators that signal the appropriateness of transitioning to round-the-clock dementia care: Safety Concerns: One of the primary reasons for considering 24-hour care is ..read more

These time management tips for caregivers can help you get your life back into balance. How much extra time do you have on your hands? If you are like many family caregivers, carving out sufficient time to meet each day’s basic requirements could be hard enough. The idea of having regular intervals of downtime might seem unattainable. Caregiving is definitely a time-intensive commitment. But what if there were steps you might take to manage your time more efficiently, allowing each day to run more smoothly and even providing you with time for yourself? It’s not quite as far-fetched as it might ..read more

Encourage loved ones to embrace calming rituals for a restful night and healthy sleep patterns. We have all been there: slowing down breathing, counting sheep, listening to white noise, all in an attempt to force our brains to shut down to allow us the sleep we desperately need. As we age, it can be even more challenging to get enough sleep. Older adults can experience alterations in their sleep architecture, including lighter sleep, more frequent awakenings, and a shift towards earlier bedtimes. Yet maintaining healthy sleep patterns is very important for cognitive function, physical vitality ..read more

Helping seniors cope with grief is a challenging part of a family caregiver’s role. Learn how to provide comfort and support here. By the time we reach our golden years, we’ve had decades of building deep connections with friends and family. These bonds are very important to our quality of life, so when they are severed, it inevitably brings about feelings of deep loss. Helping seniors cope with grief is crucial but not always easy. You might feel hopeless to assist an older loved one going through a period of grief, but there are actions you can take. It begins with understanding more about t ..read more