Caregiver Training Blog

Social media is no longer the exclusive domain of the young and the hip. In fact, seniors are a quickly growing demographic in terms of social media use. While most people think of vacation selfies, "eating and tweeting," and other seemingly superficial interactions when they think of social media, the truth is that social media serves a profound purpose -- especially when it comes to the very real problem of social isolation. The research is in, the percentage of users over 65 is up, and there are benefits to helping seniors connect. While the process of navigating the social world will be daunting for some, caregivers can help.

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

Are you one of the 10 million adults caring for an aging parent? Sharing moments and reminiscing with your loved one creates a strong bond with someone who has precious but limited time left. It can also deprive you of time, become incredibly expensive, and cause you to miss important events in your own children's lives.

Did you know that two national observances -- Older Americans Month and Creative Beginnings Month -- converge in May? Combined, they present a unique opportunity for seniors and their caregivers: It's never too late for seniors to adopt new activities and habits aimed at helping them enjoy healthier, fuller lives.

Shelley Webb is an award-winning blogger who specializes in senior care and social media. She has more than 30 years of experience as a registered nurse, RN case manager, geriatric care manager and caregiver to her father.

Caregivers hoping to improve both the health and quality of life of their aging loved ones may find help in an unexpected place: The arts. In fact, an abundance of research highlights the invaluable role the arts can play to promote healthy aging. Let's take a closer look at the facts, along with tips for caregivers on how to help seniors benefit from the arts.

Low vitamin D levels in seniors have been linked to everything from increased trips and falls to a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Let's take a closer look at the importance of vitamin D, along with how caregivers can ensure that their aging loved ones are getting enough of this life-sustaining hormone.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. There is currently no cure for PD, though research is ongoing.

A Disease with Many Faces

Patients with PD and their caregivers face special challenges due to the variable nature of the disease. According to the National Parkinson Foundation, the incidence and severity of the disease can vary from day to day, and even from one time of day to another.

The importance of cultural competence for caregivers cannot be overstated. Not only is acknowledgement of each patient's cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs the responsibility of caregivers according to the Joint Commission, but it's also a critical component in ensuring that all patients receive the highest quality of care.

In his Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton Cottage, Thomas Gray coined the phrase "Ignorance is bliss." Thomas Gray did not lead the life of a caregiver. As a caregiver, the job does not end once at home. For a caregiver, concern continues well after leaving and can cause increased stress levels. These increased stress levels can actually affect health and wellbeing even when away from work. Medical Alert Devices can eliminate the unknown for caregivers and family members. Knowing the wearer is safe at home relieves caregiver and family member stress and also improves the quality of life and safety for the elderly.

One-third of American adults are currently at risk for developing kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation. At increased risk? People aged 60 or older. In fact, of the 26 million people in the United States living with kidney disease, the vast majority are seniors. Let's take a closer look at this common ailment, along with what caregivers need to know to safeguard the health and quality of life of their aging loved ones.