While it may be a tough reality to face, as your loved one ages, he or she is statistically more prone to illness and injury. Whether the case is minor or serious, the time could come where your loved one needs to visit the Emergency Room. As a family member or caregiver, it is important to be able to understand and identify the proper symptoms and necessary situations when you need to take your loved one to the ER. Here are some common causes for ER visits: [Read more…]
As much as we want to be, we can’t always be with our loved one in an assisted living home or long-term care facility. Busy lives, distance, and other factors often prevent families from being able to spend time together, which is why it’s important to have ways to stay in touch and check in with one another. Here are some simple ways to show that you are thinking about your loved one:
Family Meetings – If you’re lucky to live close enough to your loved one, a weekly family meeting is a great way to check in and spend time together. Many care facilities have areas for activities like board games, recreational areas where you can play shuffleboard, or even outdoor swimming pools. A fun family gathering can brighten anyone’s day. [Read more…]
Dear Paul:
I am going home to Dallas, Texas to visit my dad in a few weeks. He lives alone since my mother passed away last year. When I was in town to see him over the holidays I noticed a big decline in his health. I really think he is lonely and maybe even depressed.
Dad seems to have dropped out of a lot of the social clubs he and my mother belonged to for years, and has even let his personal appearance slide a bit. I talk with him almost every day and he always tells me he is doing “fine” and doesn’t need anything. But I really think the time has come to talk with him about moving to a retirement community. I think he needs to be around people his own age and not home alone so much.
I have to admit, however, that I am really struggling to figure out how to begin this conversation. I don’t want my dad to think I am trying to take away his independence.
Do you have any ideas you can share that might help me tackle this topic with my dad?
Sincerely,
Tom [Read more…]
Dear Paul:
My mom had her annual physical with her primary care doctor last month. She has cut back on her driving lately so she asked me to take her to the appointment. Glad I did! It turns out that what our family assumed were the normal signs of aging are actually the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. While I thought there might be something more going on with Mom, it really never occurred to me that it was Alzheimer’s.
Since our father passed away two years ago, my brother and I have been splitting different errands and tasks around their house. So even though we each live about an hour away from Mom, one or both of us is there with Mom at least once a week. But I know this probably won’t be enough to keep her safe as her disease progresses. [Read more…]
Family members, like those we work with in north Texas, often spot the warning signs that indicate a senior loved one needs help before they even realize it themselves. An adult child might question if a parent’s balance issues make them unsafe living alone at home or if a change in their senior’s personality is really a symptom of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
The best person to turn to for advice is typically your family member’s primary care physician. He or she can help you assess the situation and make recommendations on what type of senior care they feel might be the next step. [Read more…]