Although the temptation is strong now that vaccines are gaining distribution to become more relaxed about COVID-19 prevention, we cannot afford to let down our guards and stop masking up. In the United States, the CDC recommends anyone older than age 2 wear a mask, but there are many who are resistant to wearing one,…
Conversations of hope, joy, and better ways to care for and support individuals living with dementia and their care partners More than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease and over 15 million family members, friends and volunteers serve as care partners, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias do not…
For over 400 years, black and brown communities have experienced systemic racism and intergenerational trauma (Gibbs et al., 2020). In 2020 and 2021, we continued to experience these traumatizing events portrayed through violence, dehumanization, and oppression. The disparities among black and brown communities have been marginalized and minimized by many for so long that some…
Annie and her two siblings have been helping their elderly parents in a growing number of ways over the past several years. Assisting with the care and upkeep of the family home, making needed grocery runs, preparing meals, attending occasional medical appointments, and in general — ensuring things are going OK. Their mom was diagnosed…
Bob and his father, John, in front of the newly delivered Wheel Pad! Brattleboro, VT What does a family do about an aging parent who lives far away on his own? This dilemma faced Bob and his wife Jennifer Jacobs. Bob’s father, John, had always been independent. Once a professor of Histology at the…
Among other events, January is officially declared as Radon Awareness Month. We Aging Life Care Specialists® ask a lot of questions – most pertain to the medical, social, and emotional conditions of an older adult, and the home environment. Now, in recognition of January’s theme, we are going even deeper in the home and descending…
Perhaps you are recently retired and have some skills you would like to share or maybe you find yourself in a role that you are not prepared for, possibly “family caregiver.” These are two examples where mentoring could benefit you in your later years. Mentoring is a win-win relationship between two people that is usually…
Aging Life Care Professionals® are called upon to assist clients with resources to handle their particular situations, including evaluating the financial resources necessary to help clients ensure quality care and an optimal life. Did you know that 500,000 seniors walk away from their life insurance policies each year? This happens because they no longer want…
As adult children age many unresolved conflicts are swept under the carpet and avoided. Often with parents as buffers, and contact limited, relationships remain stable. All this can change when adult children must share the task of caring for an aging parent. When the focus becomes their own unresolved conflicts, this can interfere with the…
This year the holidays and holiday gatherings will look a bit different for most of us because of the pandemic. Experts advise us to stay home and limit our in-person celebrations to those living in our immediate household. Observing the holidays with loved ones outside our household will likely take place virtually or physically distanced.…