Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Caregiver Info (7)

Prescription use of benzodiazepines, AKA "benzos," are increasing among the senior population despite many known risks.  Wondering whether a senior in your care is at risk due to benzodiazepine use, and what you can do about it as a caregiver? Here’s a closer look at the issue.

Eating disorders aren't just the domain of teenage girls and young women. In fact, many older adults suffer from this life-threatening health concern, as well. Not only that but incidences of eating disorders among seniors—particularly older women—is rising. Here’s a closer look at the phenomenon, along with how caregivers can best support aging loved ones in getting treatment for eating disorders.

As the season of giving approaches, many adult children of aging parents in elder care are left with a challenging question: What should I get my mom or dad? While choosing meaningful Christmas gifts for the elderly may involve some extra thought, finding the perfect present leads to satisfaction for both the giver and the recipient. Read on for a roundup of six gift ideas for your favorite seniors this season. 

More than a million people get sepsis every year. As many as 30 percent die as a result, according to the NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). This is a particularly important senior health issue as the elderly are at increased risk of this life-threatening illness. Here’s a closer look at sepsis, along with caregiver tips for spotting it in seniors.

While smoking has declined in recent years, it still remains the country’s leading cause of preventable disease and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Despite the many negative health effects of smoking, many people remain unable or unwilling to quit. Caring for a smoker comes with a unique set of challenges and concerns, as does being a smoking caregiver for a non-smoking senior.

While the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) typically occurs in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, its symptoms often peak in the senior years. Because of this, caring for an older person with MS can be particularly challenging for caregivers. Here’s a closer look at this debilitating disease, along with tips for family members, friends, and other caregivers providing support for people afflicted with MS.

In a perfect world, caregiving for aging loved ones would be easy. In the real world of caregiving, however, loving the elderly while providing care for them may not always be. In fact, at times, the task can be tiresome, frustrating, overwhelming, and difficult. Here’s a closer look at the complex relationship between love and caregiving, along with tips for caregivers struggling with the emotional challenges of caregiving. 

Many people who have been diagnosed with chronic, life-threatening illnesses are not yet ready for end-of-life hospice. Until recently, they may have felt "in between" in terms of the options available to serve their needs. A relatively new medical specialty known as "palliative care" has emerged as a response to this void. Focused on enhancing quality of life for the chronically or severely ill, palliative care offers new hope for patients, families and caregivers.

Sorting through the many different types of care available for aging loved ones can be tricky territory. And it’s not going to get easier anytime soon: As the senior population skyrockets with the coming of (retirement) age of the baby boomers, demand for these services will continue to rise. Two oft-confused industry terms? Hospice and home health care. Here’s a closer look at both, aimed at enriching understanding and ensuring that individuals receive the best and most appropriate care.

Senior safety is of utmost importance to a  whopping 87 percent of adults aged 65 and over want to stay in their current homes and communities as they age, according to data from the AARP’s Public Policy Institute. However, just because seniors have lived in their homes for decades doesn’t mean their living environments are safe for them. In fact, many homes are full of unrealized hazards with the potential to compromise not only the health and wellness of aging loved ones but also their ability to continue to live on their own.