Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Caregiver Info (9)

Death and dying are difficult subjects. But they’re also very much a reality -- particularly for older people, those managing terminal diagnoses, and caregivers. And while the phrase “good death” may sound like an oxymoron, the truth is that dying well usually comprises several key elements, according to experts.  

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More than 10 million older Americans face hunger every year, according to a first-of-its-kind report from Meals on Wheels. Hunger in Older Adults: Challenges and Opportunities for the Aging Services Network brings this critical problem to the forefront. Here’s a closer look at why so many seniors’ nutritional needs are going unmet, along with tips for caregivers aimed at helping ensure that seniors in their care are food secure.

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As many as five million American adults suffer from fibromyalgia, according to statistics from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. And while living with this disease is difficult at any age, older adults often face heightened challenges. There’s no better time to shine the light on this complex condition than during May’s Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month. Here’s a closer look at the topic of seniors and fibromyalgia, along with management tips for caregivers. 

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The desire to age in place is common among older adults today. Essential to helping them achieve this goal?  The ability to attend to the activities of daily living, AKA the “ADLs.”  Here’s a closer look at why the ADLs matter, along with how adaptive equipment can play in supporting mobility and independence in seniors.

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The vast majority of seniors want to "age in place." Unfortunately, this is neither a safe nor feasible prospect for many older adults. Factor in the rapidly aging population and the reality is that more people are facing the prospect of making the move to a long term care facility. How can caregivers help facilitate this change -- whether ready or reluctant? Read on for six tips aimed at helping seniors make a smooth transition to life in a nursing home.

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Approximately 75 percent of caregivers consider their caregiving situations to be highly or moderately stressful, according to The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the AARP Public Policy Institute’s “Caregiving in the U.S.” report. In some cases, this leads to a debilitating phenomenon known as compassion fatigue. While less discussed than caregiver stress and burnout, this condition is common among caregivers. 

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Just under 22,300 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. Of these, a full half of these women are at least 60 years old. This leaves many caregivers in the position of caring for an older loved one with ovarian cancer -- a scenario which presents unique challenges due to the nature of this insidious disease. Let's take a closer look at ovarian cancer, along with highlighting tips aimed at helping caregivers provide the very best cancer to patients with the disease. Read More

Erin Wilson is a Special Needs Mom whose son was lost in the past without the ability to ask for help or provide personal information on his own. Her solution was to create a non-profit, If I Need Help, offering a wearable iD and a special needs registry. Learn how this wearable iD is different from those you have seen before. 

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Changes in sleep are a normal part of the aging process, according to the National Sleep Foundation. However, just because they're "normal" doesn't mean they're not a cause for concern. In fact, researchers have identified a link between disrupted sleep and cognitive decline, according to NPR. Here's a closer look at this important issue, along with caregiver tips aimed at helping seniors get enough zzz's. Read More

Approximately 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women will go through at least one trauma over the course of their lives, according to the National Center for PTSD. As many as eight percent of these -- eight million during any given year -- will develop PTSD. Caregiving for someone with PTSD comes with its own unique challenges, but increased understanding and awareness can lighten the load while helping them provide the very best care. Here's a closer look at PTSD, along with six tips for caregivers. Read More