Blog

Eldercare: Feeding Tubes

Feeding tubes are a medical device used for people with medical conditions that impair chewing and swallowing. The feeding tube allows for liquidized nutrition to be administered for people who are unable to eat independently. While it is a difficult choice for the individual and the primary caregiver to make, it is indispensable to the health and physical wellness of those who cannot feed themselves. Due to the nature of this assistive device, primary caregivers and families often may have to make this decision on behalf of their elderly loved...

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Tips for Seniors: Beating the Post-Holiday Blues

The joys of the holiday season can brighten up our lives. However, the highs of the holidays can also foreshadow the lows of the winter new year. The winter new year is often cold and gloomy compared to the joyous reunions of the family over the holidays. Due to this comparison, the post-holiday experience can feel quite lonely and depressing.  This is especially true for seniors, as they may live away from their friends and family and may not see them during this time.  beating the post-holiday blues can be...

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Tips on How to Handle Family Disputes Over Eldercare

Family disputes over the care of their elderly loved ones can be common and unavoidable. However, honest communication and some healthy boundaries can help mitigate ongoing resentment and build an appropriate support system. Siblings or adult caregivers can disagree when it comes to how to appropriately care for their elderly loved ones and the following are common challenges you may come across when building a care plan. Caregiving needs can seem subjective when discussing with many different people. Depending on how much time is spent with the elder, there may...

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Common Myths and Misconceptions Related to Elderly Mental Health

Due to the activism of mental health specialists and activists, mental health and illness is a concept that is becoming more normalized and accepted in society. Having a mental illness can be challenging, and even debilitating at times so it is important to consider effective treatment. Mental illness is treatable but often the treatment is not utilized due to the associated misconceptions and stigma. This is also compounded by the stereotypes regarding senior health and wellness, placing blame on aging, or dementia for cognitive decline. These myths are one of...

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Intergenerational Activity Ideas

If the last year has taught us anything, it is the importance of our community and our time together. While the new regulations were often challenging, when people discuss what they miss the most it is always their friends and family and spending quality time together. Even if we had been lucky enough to have been living with our immediate family, we still missed our extended family and friends. Extended family and friends provide valuable companionship, life experience and often brighten our horizons with their diverse interests and perspectives. The...

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The Benefits of Intergenerational Relationships for Seniors and Youth

The beginning and end of our lives are times of love, family, and spirituality. These times are the bookends of life and provide a necessary framework for the joys of life, including the rest, growth, and connection to loved ones. Due to the elderly and the youthful having similar rhythms in life, they have a special connection to each other. Both prioritize the wonder of play, whether it is through the exploration of toys or gardens. Often, we divide our communities up by age - our schooling, hobbies, and communities....

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The Challenges of being a Spousal Caregiver

When you get married, you vow to your partner to be there for them in sickness and in health. These precious vows may lead to you or your partner becoming a spousal caregiver down the road. Spousal caregivers act as caregivers for their partners who are suffering from disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. Becoming a spousal caregiver is more common than you may think, with almost 7 million current and former caregivers in North America. Being a spousal caregiver can lead to unique challenges because of the physical, emotional, and social...

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The Dangers of Sleeping Pills for the Elderly

Sleeping difficulties can be extremely frustrating. It is a horrible feeling to go to bed each night and lay awake for hours on end. One solution that helps many people get to sleep is sleeping pills. These small, often addictive, tablets are packed with medications that will cause you to drift right to sleep and stay asleep. Sleeping pills are convenient, fast, and often easy to obtain. They are an easy way to tackle a sleepless night, and can be extremely safe if taken in small doses for short amounts...

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Safety Tips for Seniors who Use Public Transportation

Public transportation is an easy, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly way to travel. No matter if you are at home or on a fun vacation, public transportation can really help you save money. Plus, it is environmentally friendly for the planet, because it reduces the amount of carbon emissions in the atmosphere. If you have never ridden public transportation, then the thought of doing so might be a little daunting, however, public transportation is super simple, usually fairly safe, and should not be feared. If you are a senior and are...

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Types of Hallucinations in the Elderly

Hallucinations are sensations, thoughts or perceptions that feel completely real, yet are created entirely by your own mind. Hallucinations can be very scary, and very hard to diagnose. Unfortunately, they are very common in the elderly population, which often leads to the elderly feeling confused. Hallucinations can affect any of your five senses, one at a time, or all at once. For this reason, they can be very disorienting. However, if an elderly person lives alone and is having hallucinations, then it may take months or even years to catch....

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