Caregiver Training Blog

In the age of the Internet, scams abound. These scams can be sent disguised as a plea from a family member, a friend asking for financial assistance, or even as a contest that needs a "tax fee" to receive winnings. According to a MetLife study of elder financial abuse, elderly victims of financial scams lost at least $2.9 billion in 2010. Some of these scams lead to identity theft, which comes with an added series of problems. mmLearn.org offers videos for family members and caregivers to help identify financial abuse of the elderly.

As the digital age evolves, scammers have developed new ways to mask their scams. Health scams have become increasingly difficult to identify. These scams can target anyone, but often seniors are the victims.
Fraud committed against senior citizens is so prevalent that the FBI has done research identifying why senior citizens have become targets. Seniors' health concerns and savings make them a health scammer's ideal target.

Sheila Korn of Love 2 Live Care Services recently chatted with us about the qualities of a top-notch, in-home caregiver. She came to create Love 2 Live Inc. in 2003 after experiencing challenges during her beloved mother's illness.

She opened the company to offer personalized, non-medical home care to seniors who want to remain in their own homes and continue to live their lives with independence and dignity.

Caregiving might be described as "the business of caring," but it is a business nonetheless. Both sides of this equation need to be balanced for a caregiver to be as successful as possible. After all, how useful can we really be, as caregivers, if we're constantly overworked or desperately hunting for new clients?

Aging adults are at high risk for injuries related to fire and burns. The first week in February is National Burn Awareness Week, and most people are unaware of the fact that seniors are at such a high risk. It is suggested that people 85 and over are four times as likely to die in a fire than other age groups.

More than half of seniors suffer from urinary incontinence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While many people accept incontinence as part of the "normal" aging process, the truth is that there are many ways to treat and even cure the problem. Let's take a closer look at this common issue, along with ways elder caregivers can help their loved ones manage and even overcome urinary incontinence.

The body is a machine full of parts, each with a purpose and each with its own form of maintenance that needs to be done. The heart pumps the blood and carries oxygen. The kidney removes toxins to keep every other organ safe and clean. The stomach breaks down food into energy, but the brain is what makes a person truly unique. The brain makes a person who they are. Keeping each piece of the machine functioning is what keeps a person alive. Keeping the brain functioning is what keeps the soul alive. 

Decreased neuroplasticity can be difficult, but by working together,
caregivers and patients can help improve memory and brain function

In an mmLearn.org video, Jerald Winakur, M.D. talks about his experiences as a doctor and a family member relating to memory care. His experiences emphasize the importance of improving neuroplasticity, particularly in a person's older years. For the elderly, this is not easy. It is a frustrating experience to feel that memory and function are not as strong as they once were.

Coping with grief, especially over the loss of a beloved person in our lives, is a difficult process for everyone. But for our loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease, the struggle can be even greater. Because the illness includes symptoms such as memory loss, confusion and difficulty recognizing even close family members and friends, the simple comprehension that a loved one has passed away adds a complex layer to an already unimaginable time for both the Alzheimer’s victim and those closest to them.

Dealing with loss is a different experience for everyone, regardless of their health condition. But there are some ways you may be able to help your loved one with Alzheimer’s handle her heartache in as healthy a manner as possible. Here are a few tips on helping them cope:

How was your childhood?

For most, it was a time of learning, exploring friendships, going to school, and navigating adolescence. But for a smaller group, often hidden in plain sight, childhood is a time of exhaustion and great responsibility.

How could anyone be so burdened at such a young age?

The word "bully" usually brings to mind thoughts of behaviors found on elementary school playgrounds and on the back of the bus. However, bullying doesn't necessarily end when childhood does. In fact, it can continue throughout life and even into the senior years. Let's take a closer look at the problem of senior bullying, along with management tips for seniors and caregivers.

Scientists continue to learn about the brain's extraordinary capacity, including its ability to learn and regenerate from the cradle to the grave. Also known as neuroplasticity, increased understanding of this phenomenon offers new hope for the reversal of age-related declines in brain function. Let's take a closer look at the topic of neuroplasticity, along with how you can help your aging loved one enjoy enhanced brain health.