Mental illness encompasses various conditions affecting one’s thoughts, feelings, and mood, making daily self-care challenging. Unfortunately, stereotypes often hinder conversations about mental health in older adults, leading to misunderstandings. Assumptions like “Old people are just stubborn” or “He’s become mean as he’s aged” cause many to dismiss mental illness in older adults. As caregivers, it’s …
Our mental health is a crucial part of our well-being. It is made up of many component parts and it can also be impacted by a number of factors including living environment, stress, coping with challenges, and disease. Our bodies and minds are intimately connected and so our diet, exercise, social engagement, passion and creativity, …
Both older adults and their caregivers are often advised by articles, physicians or family and friends to practice self-care. For many, this self-care is found in a pint of ice cream, a package of cookies or a bag of chips. Indulging in desserts or snacks can often feel like an effective way to find temporary …
Adult children are often uncomfortable talking to their parents about aging issues or concerns they have about their parent’s safety and well-being. Since June is the month we celebrate Father’s Day, focusing on some ideas to help improve communication with an elderly father is fitting. Time and timing: One of the greatest challenges adult children …
The FBI’s Common Fraud Schemes webpage provides tips on how you can protect yourself and your family from fraud. Senior citizens especially should be aware of fraud schemes for the following reasons: Senior citizens are most likely to have a “nest egg,” to own their home, and/or to have excellent credit—all of which make them attractive to …
“Mom is grieving the loss of her only brother but she always tells me she’s fine. How can I help her if she doesn’t want to talk about it?” If it’s been less than a year, they may still be in the early grieving process. Don’t rush through this process because it’s difficult to just …
We all know that transportation is more than getting people and goods from one place to another. Given a choice, many would prefer the shiny new car with all the bells and whistles over the junkyard bargain that has a hole in the muffler, balding tires and a window that will not roll up. How …
Why Transportation is So Important to Older Adults? Read More »
So much of our attention is spent on things. Caring, cleaning, storing, arranging, packing, unpacking, displaying, dusting THINGS ! But in all this attention, we rarely pause to see how our outer spaces impact and reflect our inner lives. Downsizing is not so much about losing things, but gaining physical and mental space. While an …
It is important to know everything you can about your loved one’s medications. With so many different health care providers prescribing medication, make sure you understand the different side effects and interactions that each pill causes. Also make sure your loved one isn’t taking any expired medication. If they do have medicine that is expired, …
Family caregivers hear the same lecture over and over: “You must stay connected to others or else you’ll become isolated and depressed.” But, even under the best conditions, it is never easy for caregivers to find time for socializing when they have so many daily tasks. Now, when even non-caregivers have become isolated because of …
Throughout a person’s life, they make choices that mirror their values, thoughts, desires and convictions. We have a legal right to make our own decisions and our choices should be respected. That’s especially true when a person is vulnerable. By designating a person to be your durable power of attorney (DPOA), you protect your choices …
Durable Power of Attorney: What is a DPOA and why is it Important? Read More »
Activities are an important part of life for people with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other memory conditions. Keeping busy provides much-needed structure to your relative’s day and helps him or her feel like a productive member of the family. Enjoyable activities prevent boredom and help maintain basic living skills. Planning Activities The best activities are fun …
Keeping Busy: Activities for People with Alzheimer’s Read More »
Your own home is a very special place no matter how old you are. Whether it’s an apartment, condo or house, your home is a safe place where you can take your shoes off, relax and be yourself. Home is filled with familiar furnishings and memories – a comfy, cozy chair, your grandmother’s antique dresser, …
There’s No Place Like Home: Creating Safe Environments for People with Alzheimer’s Read More »
Handling a loved one’s finances can be a difficult task, particularly when that individual is afflicted with dementia. In fact, the inability to handle finances is often one of the first signs that a loved one has the disease. He or she might have trouble balancing a check book, or might pay bills more than …
Handling The Finances For A Loved One With Dementia Read More »
This article originally appeared in Northwest Catholic. A daily two-mile walk, crossword puzzles and weekly Mass at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle keep Father James Eblen active at age 83. As a retired priest, he looks forward to spending time with longtime friends at the annual June retreat for priests at Ocean Shores. …
Helping Priests Navigate the Challenges of Aging Read More »
For the millions of Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as the families and friends who care for them, communication is a challenge. What we take for granted every day becomes gradually more difficult as the parts of the brain that manage word production and understanding are affected by the disease. Words fail …
Dementia Communication: Learning to Speak & Listen to Those With Dementia Read More »
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be frightening for the patient and for their loved ones. If the disease is diagnosed in the early stages, there are things you and your loved one can do to mitigate the effects while they are still able and ensure they have a voice in their care. Get Informed …
Caregiving is a demanding and challenging job. It’s okay if you need to take a break and relax for a little while. It’s also okay to get away for a weekend, or go out of town for a family event or high school reunion. This is where overnight respite care comes in. Many long-term care …
Buying insurance under normal circumstances is a tricky business. You don’t know how much coverage you need. Plus, you don’t know if and when you will need that coverage. That’s how the insurance game works. You pay a certain amount for protection when you do go through medical injury or surgery and need care. The …
Given the choice, your older loved ones would most likely opt for aging in place in their own homes. Familiar surroundings help them feel secure, independent and connected with family and the community. Living at home is also far less expensive than moving to a residential facility. And it’s much more pleasant to recover from …
Extended holiday visits can raise suspicions that a little caregiving assistance in the home is necessary for frail, older loved ones. However, a senior fearing a loss of independence may also try to disguise care needs. It is important to know the signs to watch out for. Villageplan understands these fears and knows how to …
We have always learned that stress is bad, in fact, stress can make us sick. However, new scientific research is showing us that this may be a situation of mind over matter. According to psychologist, Kelly McGonigal, the way that we think about stress can be the most important factor in our health. When our …
Do you want your family to enjoy the holidays and the food, yet still stay healthy? Planning ahead is important, specifically if you have diabetes. The tips below can help guide you through your next holiday event. Focus on friends and family instead of food. Remember that the holidays are a time to slow down …
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease can be mentally and physically exhausting, so you should take steps to manage and reduce stress, according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “Finding ways to manage and reduce stress is of paramount importance for every Alzheimer’s caregiver. Untreated stress can lead to physical, mental and emotional …
6 Steps to Reduce Stress When Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s Read More »
Depression is not a normal part of aging. As a caregiver, you should understand this. Your older adult’s station in life has changed. He or she may be slowing down, but that does not mean the depression he or she feels is part of the aging process. Depression, in and of itself, is not easy …
Family caregivers often face challenges as they try to keep track of the many medications their relative takes each day. The average older American takes from four to five prescription and at least two non-prescription medications every day. It can be a real challenge for families to keep track of medicines and make sure they …
(HealthDay News) — Seniors are among those most at risk for dying from COVID-19, and so they’ve been urged to socially distance during the pandemic. But experts fear this isolation, while protecting them from a potentially fatal infection, might be wearing away at their health in other ways. “By older adults being less socially engaged and …
The Impact of Social Isolation on Seniors During a Pandemic Read More »
Embarrassment and guilt are feelings that often accompany being a victim of financial abuse. These strong emotions play a role in the underreporting of this crime by older adults. No one wants to admit they have been taken advantage of –especially older adults who may be afraid of appearing weak and foolish to their adult …
Dear Employees, Business Partners, and Stakeholders, By now you may have noticed that villageplan has rebranded with a new look and feel that not only modernizes our brand but allows us to continue to grow in the coming years. We are proud to share that apart from a new logo, we have unified our Sound …
