Caregiver Training Blog

Summer is definitely upon us! And while warm sunshine -- and the vitamin D it brings along with it -- has its upsides, caregivers must also remain aware of one critical fact: When temperatures soar, so do threats to senior health and wellness. 

Many older Americans are turning to a surprising source for alleviating for their age-related aches and pains, according to a recent report from The San Diego Union-Tribune: medical marijuana. However, this can be tricky territory for caregivers given that the drug is banned by federal law, and has only been approved for medical use in 29 states. Here’s a closer look at the issue. 

The majority of people with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. There are other types of dementia — such as vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia — but Alzheimer's is the most common and the one you have probably heard the most about.

If you are caring for someone with dementia, you've probably wondered if there are medications that can ease the symptoms or halt the progression of the condition. Unfortunately, there is no magic pharmaceutical bullet, but there are some dementia medications that can help some patients.

Many people are familiar with the concept of young children resisting bath time, but as it turns out, this phenomenon is not limited to the single-digit set. In fact, refusing to bathe is a problem among seniors as well -- especially those with Alzheimer’sor dementia. Unfortunately, caring for someone who is bathing-averse can add to a caregiver’s list of stresses. Here’s a closer look at the issue, along with five tips aimed at helping caregivers ensure that older adults in their care stay clean, comfortable and healthy.

As many as 66 percent of patients with Alzheimer’s disease may experience a phenomenon known as Sundowning, AKA “sundown syndrome” or “nocturnal delirium,” according to Thomas Weiss, MD. Unfortunately, coping with this condition can pose unique challenges for caregivers. Educating yourself about Sundowning, however, can be an invaluable management technique. 

The first step in lessening the number of episodes or severity of sundowning syndrome is minimizing risk factors for the person with the condition, which is characterized by confused or agitated behavior at nightfall. 

A hospital stay due to illness or injury is cause for worry and stress for caregivers of older adults. But what about when your loved one is released to return home? Becoming the caregiver of aN aging loved one after a hospital stay comes with its own unique challenges. How do you ensure your loved one stays healthy? What do you do if you need to work? Are you the best person for this job? 

How much care your loved one needs depends on his or her condition, but there are a few actions you should take to make certain your loved one — as well as everyone else in your household — is comfortable, happy, and healthy.

Much like the name indicates, sundowning syndrome is a complex medical condition that occurs when a person becomes confused or agitated at nightfall. People who experience sundowning frequently have a diagnosis of dementia, but the condition can also affect those who do not.

Approximately 300,000 Americans break a hip every year. Many of them are seniors. Unfortunately, hip fractures can be much more detrimental for seniors than for the rest of the population.  Here’s a closer look at the issue, along with caregiver tips aimed at keeping seniors safe.