Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Caregiver Info (15)

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.

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.

The fast-paced days between Thanksgiving and New Year's can be overwhelming, but it's important not to lose sight of the reason for the season. This sentiment is no more applicable than when it comes to spending time with seniors during this busy time of year. Consider these five simple ways to take a break from the holiday hustle and spend invaluable time with your aging loved one this season.

Providing care for patients is about more than treating the body. It also involves treating the mind and spirit. And while the former may be relatively straightforward, the latter can be both complex and sensitive -- particularly when you factor in the diversity of cultures and spiritual beliefs among patients. Let's take a closer look at the imperative of cultural sensitivity, along with what caregivers need to know to fulfill their responsibility to treat the "whole" patient.

Asking the right questions -- and hearing the answers -- yields true understanding.

As seniors age, their lives will necessarily change. The quality of life experienced by seniors has become an issue of importance as caregivers consider how they can make sure those under their care are thriving.

People with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia have different care requirements than those in conventional assisted living settings. Are you wondering whether memory care is the best option for your aging loved one? Read on to learn more about memory care, along with what family members can expect from this type of care facility.

Memory care therapy can relieve stress and stimulate memories.

Between the record number of Americans in the healthcare system due to the Affordable Care Act and the aging baby boomer population, physicians are in critical demand, with the doctor shortage predicted to reach as high as 90,000 by the year 2025, according to a report from the Association of American Medical Colleges. In an era during which healthcare practitioners face greater financial pressures than ever before, doctor visits are a dwindling precious commodity. Read on to learn how seniors and their caregivers can maximize visits to get the most of each appointment.

Planning ahead saves precious seconds.

More than a quarter of people aged 65 and older -- approximately 11.8 million senior Americans -- have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. For the majority of them, insulin injections are a critical tool for treating the disease. If you're a caregiver for a senior with diabetes, do you understand what insulin is and how it works? Let's take a closer look.