New at-home personal devices, or voice assistants, are not generally thought of as technology used by older adults. In fact, older adults are a demographic commonly assumed to be “non-tech savy.” Advertising often depicts young adults and teenagers enjoying the ease of communication and internet searching done using voice assistants. While these devices have generated […]
The Benefits of Adaptive Clothing Getting dressed and undressed is one of the essential activities of daily living (ADLs) that many of us can take for granted. Our daily lives require clothing adjustments during toileting, showering and attending medical appointments. Older adults living with chronic conditions such as arthritis and paralysis can face frustration with […]
What Aging Parents Expect of their Adult Children When does the role of adult child change to include caregiver? Longtime family dynamics can impact how the boundaries between adult children and their parents become blurred. When do adult children feel the need to “step in” and play active roles in managing their parents’ lives? […]
Caregivers for those living with dementia are all over the country. Caregivers range in age, ethnicity, geography, income, and education. While research theories have been done about what the large, diverse population of caregivers looks like and what they are faced with, there is one thing we know for sure. Dementia does not discriminate. It […]
Have you ever heard of state “filial responsibility” laws? Although rarely enforced, 29 different states have laws that require children to provide financial support to their indigent parents under certain circumstances. In the context of long term care, those statutes could potentially result in adult children being liable for their parents’ sizable nursing home and […]
When discussing estate planning with our clients, we always explain the need to prepare for the possibility of requiring long-term care, and the daunting costs of such care. As Americans are living longer, more and more of us are spending a significant portion of our later life in a long-term care facility. These facilities are […]
February is National Caregivers Month. One task that can be daunting for family caregivers is identifying the assisted living community that best fits their loved one’s unique needs. It is important for caregivers to be able to identify the different assisted living options available. Sometimes a private home is no longer a safe environment. The […]
‘Tis the season for listening to holiday music, shopping special sales, sharing a nice meal, and spending time with the family. The holiday season is a perfect opportunity to gather to enjoy gifts and create new memories. It also allows family the time to reflect on memories of the past and to share their thoughts […]
Here in the great state of Connecticut, there have been several new communities opening and marketed to the older adult population. Communities designated as “Independent Living” (IL) and “Assisted Living” (AL) can be very successful in combating the negative stigma associated with getting older and going into “the home.” They are often very welcoming, well […]
A 79 year old woman named Kay was afflicted with some arthritis in her knees, but was generally in good health and enjoyed her daily walks and traveling. On a recent trip overseas last year, she missed a step and lost her footing. She could no longer stand; and with that misstep, Kay suffered multiple […]