Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Caregiver Info (6)

It’s a common misconception that sleep needs decline with age. In fact, older adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep nightly, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Unfortunately, many of them fall far short of this goal due to issues ranging from sleep apnea to respiratory problems. This has resulted in a “catastrophic sleep-loss epidemic” linked with a multitude of detrimental health outcomes, according to sleep scientist Matthew Walker. Think sleeping pills are a simple fix? Think again. 

The number of seniors in the US taking three or more psychiatric drugs more than doubled in the nine-year period between 2004 and 2013, according to a recent study as reported by The New York Times. While this figure is troubling in itself, even more so is that fact that nearly half seniors taking these medications have no mental health diagnoses on record. What does this mean for seniors and caregivers? Here’s a closer look at the issue.

The internet of things (IoT) era promises big things for the healthcare sector. But are patients and caregivers prepared to harness its full potential—both to improve the quality of care and lighten the caregiver burden? The Deloitte 2016 Survey of Health Care Consumers took a closer look at this issue, and the findings are promising: “Patients of all demographics—even seniors—are at least amenable to technology-enabled care.” Wondering what the IoT means for you as a caregiver? Here’s what you need to know.

Caregiving is hard enough. Now imagine caring for someone with a misdiagnosed, misunderstood or even unknown illness. This is the plight of many caregivers tasked with providing care for the 30 million Americans living with rare diseases and conditions. To that end, an upcoming study by the National Alliance for Caregiving in partnership with rare disease patient advocacy organization Global Genes aims to shine critical light on this topic. In the meantime, here’s a closer look at the issue, along with tips for rare disease caregivers.

Mealtimes can be hard times of day for caregivers. Factor in Alzheimer’s disease-related issues like cognitive impairment, coordination problems, and declines in sensory perception which can lead to loss of appetite, and the challenges faced by caregivers rise. 

If you’ve ever been around someone who has fainted—or if you’ve ever fainted yourself—you know it’s a frightening ordeal. Clinically known as “syncope” (pronounced SIN-co-pee), fainting is not only much more common in older adults but also associated with a reduced survival rate—and therefore of particular importance for senior caregivers. Here’s a closer look at syncope, along with what all caregivers need to know about caring for someone with this condition.

The challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer's are frequently discussed. But most people tasked with managing care for someone living with this disease are already well aware of these challenges and are looking for something more: Practical tools and actionable insights for managing them. Read on for ten tips aimed at helping caregivers most effectively tackle the issues they face every day.

No one said caregiving was easy, but for many caregivers, the burden often verges on the unbearable. The good news? Caregiver support groups offer an invaluable lifeline to caregivers all over the country. Here’s a closer look at the role of caregiver support groups, the obstacles often standing in the way of caregivers and support groups, and tips for finding a caregiver support group in your area. 

We often think of aging in terms of its outward manifestation: whitening hair, wrinkled skin, a slower pace, and so on. However, aging is also accompanied by a multitude of “hidden” signs. And while we may not be able to see these, they can have a significant bearing on health and quality of life in seniors. One lesser-discussed aspect of the aging process? A weakening immune system. 

Many people have high hopes for themselves at the start of a new year. For caregivers, however, their own needs may take a distant second to the needs of others. One of the best resolutions you can make this year as a caregiver is to commit to putting your own health and wellness first. Here’s a closer look at the issue of caregiver health, along with tips for ending the year happier and healthier than when it started.