Caregiver Training Blog

The number of seniors in the US taking three or more psychiatric drugs more than doubled in the nine-year period between 2004 and 2013, according to a recent study as reported by The New York Times. While this figure is troubling in itself, even more so is that fact that nearly half seniors taking these medications have no mental health diagnoses on record. What does this mean for seniors and caregivers? Here’s a closer look at the issue.

The internet of things (IoT) era promises big things for the healthcare sector. But are patients and caregivers prepared to harness its full potential—both to improve the quality of care and lighten the caregiver burden? The Deloitte 2016 Survey of Health Care Consumers took a closer look at this issue, and the findings are promising: “Patients of all demographics—even seniors—are at least amenable to technology-enabled care.” Wondering what the IoT means for you as a caregiver? Here’s what you need to know.

While getting dressed and undressed each day may not be an issue for most people, it can be a major obstacle for older adults and people with physical limitations. But the impact doesn’t end there. Also faced with dressing- and undressing-related challenges? Caregivers for older adults and people with physical limitations. The good news? Adaptive clothing offers help for patients and caregivers alike. Here’s a closer look at adaptive shirts, pants and shoes, along with where to find them.

Communicating with people who are experiencing dementia, age-related cognitive decline, and/or disorientation can be challenging. However, it’s not impossible—especially with the right tools in place. One particularly effective method for communicating with disoriented seniors? The Validation Method. Here’s a closer look at this method of helping seniors and their caregivers share less stressful, more meaningful connections. 

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is one of the most common forms of dementia, and yet it is frequently misdiagnosed as more commonly known illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson's Disease. If you’re caring for someone who has been diagnosed with LBD, you’re not alone if you feel like you’re in the dark. Read on for a closer look at this complex disease, along with what caregivers should know about LBD.

Caregiving is hard enough. Now imagine caring for someone with a misdiagnosed, misunderstood or even unknown illness. This is the plight of many caregivers tasked with providing care for the 30 million Americans living with rare diseases and conditions. To that end, an upcoming study by the National Alliance for Caregiving in partnership with rare disease patient advocacy organization Global Genes aims to shine critical light on this topic. In the meantime, here’s a closer look at the issue, along with tips for rare disease caregivers.

Mealtimes can be hard times of day for caregivers. Factor in Alzheimer’s disease-related issues like cognitive impairment, coordination problems, and declines in sensory perception which can lead to loss of appetite, and the challenges faced by caregivers rise. 

If you’ve ever been around someone who has fainted—or if you’ve ever fainted yourself—you know it’s a frightening ordeal. Clinically known as “syncope” (pronounced SIN-co-pee), fainting is not only much more common in older adults but also associated with a reduced survival rate—and therefore of particular importance for senior caregivers. Here’s a closer look at syncope, along with what all caregivers need to know about caring for someone with this condition.

The challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer's are frequently discussed. But most people tasked with managing care for someone living with this disease are already well aware of these challenges and are looking for something more: Practical tools and actionable insights for managing them. Read on for ten tips aimed at helping caregivers most effectively tackle the issues they face every day.

No one said caregiving was easy, but for many caregivers, the burden often verges on the unbearable. The good news? Caregiver support groups offer an invaluable lifeline to caregivers all over the country. Here’s a closer look at the role of caregiver support groups, the obstacles often standing in the way of caregivers and support groups, and tips for finding a caregiver support group in your area.