Navigating the care of a loved one in a skilled nursing facility can seem very daunting for family members and friends entrusted with the role of advocate. Justice in Aging compiled a handbook called “20 Common Nursing Home Problems—and How to Resolve Them.” So far, we have outlined 10 of the 20 problems identified in […]
Many of our clients have approached us for advice about nursing home placement for a loved one. Part One of this blog explored five common problems outlined in Justice in Aging’s 2005 article “20 Common Nursing Home Problems—and How To Resolve Them.” Part Two will highlight five more issues to consider. #6 Forcing Family Members […]
Witnessing the struggles of a loved one living with dementia is tremendously difficult. Emotions run high when experiencing the changes in a loved one as they move through the progressive stages of the disease. These are very relatable experiences among a growing community of caregivers. Another very relatable experience that most humans share is being […]
One advertising campaign that has impacted our society is summarized in the exclamation, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” What image does that sentence call to mind? An elderly woman, alone in her home and frightened by a sudden need for emergency services. Falls can happen to any of us, but the elderly, especially […]
Can an individual suffering from dementia legally divorce his or her spouse? Or to put it another way, can someone with dementia possess the legal right to divorce and initiate a lawsuit yet at the same time to lack the capacity to manage property or drive or be employed? To what extent should the present-day […]
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is garnering a lot of national attention in recent months following the United States Supreme Court decision to recognize same-sex marriage. Advocacy groups have been working for years to recognize the unique needs of a growing sample within the community—LGBT elders. The Richmond Times-Dispatch recently profiled Bonnie […]
Combating dehydration is essential at all times of the year, but it is often at the forefront of caregivers’ minds during the hot and humid summer months. Detecting dehydration in an elderly loved one can be difficult, since symptoms can range in severity and may be mis-categorized as symptoms of chronic disease. Signs include dizziness, […]
Back in the year 2000, a series of profiles of American centenarians debuted on National Public Radio (NPR) called “One Hundred Years of Stories.” Producer Neenah Ellis later translated those profiles into a book called If I Live to be 100: Lessons from the Centenarians. Ellis recognized that there are more 100-year-olds alive now than […]
The growing number of older adults nationally has contributed to significant growth in the home care industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted a large growth rate in the jobs of home health and personal care aides. It seems as though employer agencies of these aides are simply everywhere you turn. This blog […]
Few people are fully comfortable thinking about getting older. Whether we are contemplating ourselves getting older or our loved ones, most would prefer not to think about the aging process and the various physical and cognitive deteriorations that tend to accompany that process. As life expectancy has increased over time, the portion of people who […]