Caregiver Training Blog

Family is the core of life. Parents take care of their children. In turn, children look after their parents. An aging parent is a difficult part of life to navigate. Whether they are in their own home, your house, or in a retirement facility, you want the best care for them.

Adults over the age of 65 are predicted to make up 16.6 percent of the United States population by the year 2020, according to an article in the journal, Health Affairs.

With this aging population comes a number of challenges, including everything from a shortage of qualified healthcare providers to the increasing need for senior housing. One vital issue claiming a top spot on the list of concerns facing a senior-centric society is polypharmacy and related complexities involved in the management of multiple medications. In response, a breadth and depth of medication dispenser options have emerged aimed at helping seniors and their caregivers efficiently and effectively overcome this obstacle. Let's take a closer look at the role medication dispensers can play in safeguarding senior health, along with tips for choosing the best one for your unique needs.

More than 90 percent of people have at least one cataract by the age of 65, according to the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center. While cataracts are extremely common in seniors, not all caregivers understand what they are and how they impact vision. There's no better time to shine the light on this important senior wellness topic than during June's Cataract Awareness Month. Let's count down seven things all caregivers need to know about cataracts.

The inability to recognize beloved people, familiar places and cherished things is a symptom of late-stage Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, coping with memory loss can be heartbreaking for patients, their families, and caregivers alike. But is there hope that memories lost to Alzheimer's disease will one day be retrievable? Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology say, "Yes." Let's take a closer look at the research, along with what it means for the millions of people affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Are memories really lost and gone forever in Alzheimer's patients?

Graham Jones is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Buckingham and an Associate Lecturer at The Open University in the UK. Jones, B.Sc., B.A., Adv.Dip.Ed., MBPsS, M.Ed. M.Sc., is a qualified psychologist, the author of 32 books, and an award-winning writer and speaker, contributing regularly to a wide range of publications and speaking at conferences and events around the world.

Home care for seniors often involves a great deal of hard work for certain family members. Frequently, it is a daughter who has to cope with the most significant burden. Looking after an elderly mother or father can be stressful. Not only is there the additional physical demands that need to be met, but at-home senior care can create a psychological toll on family members. No one likes to see their mother or father become less capable and in need of support. After all, it is parents who care for their children, not the other way around.

Did you know that men are 80 percent less likely to seek out routine health care than women? This eye-opening statistic from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is of particular relevance during June's Men's Health Month. This annual observation offers the perfect opportunity for caregivers to check in to ensure that aging male loved ones and patients are getting the care they need to enjoy optimal health in their golden years.

About 39% of seniors experience insomnia on a regular basis as opposed to the 30% of younger people. Lack of sleep can cause very serious mental and physical health problems, particularly for seniors. Here are a few ways you can help the senior in your life sleep better.

Ken Accardi, CEO of Ankota, a home care software company dedicated to keeping our elderly loved ones out of the hospital. Here he discusses trends in home care and offers insight on software options for caregivers. Read on:

Stephan Baldwin is the Director of Business Development for Assisted Living Center, an online resource for aging care communities.

Dementia is a terrible disease that affects more people in the world than most people realize. It is quick-acting, harsh, and can take away every part of what a person once was while leaving their body seemingly healthy.

Communicating with loved ones suffering from dementia can be frustrating, but also rewarding.

With millions of people currently living with Alzheimer's disease and the number expected to continue to skyrocket in the years ahead, its potential impact is massive. And while we often think of Alzheimer's in terms of its cost to individual patients and their families, the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia highlights degenerative brain disease as a serious threat to public health demanding comprehensive, community-based action. Let's take a closer look at some initiatives which are stepping up and taking action.