Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Caregiver Info (8)

More than a third of people aged 65 or older in the United States fall every year, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Even worse?  More than 1.6 million of them end up in the emergency room due to fall-related injuries. Falls the leading cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, loss of independence, even death. 

Assisted living. Nursing homes. Memory care. Senior living. With so many senior living community housing options for older adults, it can be hard to keep track of them all. One particular term people may not be familiar with? Personal care homes. Here’s a closer look at this relatively new alternative to nursing home care, along with why it may be an ideal fit for many independence-seeking seniors.

From declining minds and bodies to the desire for independence and housing issues, seniors today face many challenges. Near the top of the list? Financial scams. The IRS recently highlighted one particular problem aimed at draining senior bank accounts: imposters posing as IRS representatives. 

Summer is definitely upon us! And while warm sunshine -- and the vitamin D it brings along with it -- has its upsides, caregivers must also remain aware of one critical fact: When temperatures soar, so do threats to senior health and wellness. 

Many older Americans are turning to a surprising source for alleviating for their age-related aches and pains, according to a recent report from The San Diego Union-Tribune: medical marijuana. However, this can be tricky territory for caregivers given that the drug is banned by federal law, and has only been approved for medical use in 29 states. Here’s a closer look at the issue. 

Many people are familiar with the concept of young children resisting bath time, but as it turns out, this phenomenon is not limited to the single-digit set. In fact, refusing to bathe is a problem among seniors as well -- especially those with Alzheimer’sor dementia. Unfortunately, caring for someone who is bathing-averse can add to a caregiver’s list of stresses. Here’s a closer look at the issue, along with five tips aimed at helping caregivers ensure that older adults in their care stay clean, comfortable and healthy.

As many as 66 percent of patients with Alzheimer’s disease may experience a phenomenon known as Sundowning, AKA “sundown syndrome” or “nocturnal delirium,” according to Thomas Weiss, MD. Unfortunately, coping with this condition can pose unique challenges for caregivers. Educating yourself about Sundowning, however, can be an invaluable management technique. 

A hospital stay due to illness or injury is cause for worry and stress for caregivers of older adults. But what about when your loved one is released to return home? Becoming the caregiver of aN aging loved one after a hospital stay comes with its own unique challenges. How do you ensure your loved one stays healthy? What do you do if you need to work? Are you the best person for this job? 

How much care your loved one needs depends on his or her condition, but there are a few actions you should take to make certain your loved one — as well as everyone else in your household — is comfortable, happy, and healthy.

Approximately 300,000 Americans break a hip every year. Many of them are seniors. Unfortunately, hip fractures can be much more detrimental for seniors than for the rest of the population.  Here’s a closer look at the issue, along with caregiver tips aimed at keeping seniors safe.

More than half of seniors suffer from incontinence, according to a recent report from the CDC. Caring for someone with incontinence issues can be particularly challenging -- both physically and emotionally. Let's count down six caregiver tips aimed at minimizing stress for both caregivers and care recipients when it comes to incontinence care.