Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Elder Care Issues

Coping with aging, sick or dying parents is difficult even under the best circumstances. Factor in the sibling strife that often arises in families trying to manage care for aging loved ones, and the situation becomes exponentially more challenging. Read on for a roundup of common sibling caregiving scenarios, along with tips aimed at keeping the peace. 

In a perfect world, all family members would get along when making care decisions for aging loved ones. In the world we live in, however, familial strife is extremely common. While managing conflicts can be challenging, it’s vital to build consensus—both to ensure that each senior’s wants and needs are met as well as to reduce caregiver stress. The good news? There are some things you can to do help things go as smoothly as possible, including the following six strategies:

Passing gas is a perfectly normal bodily function. However, this doesn’t mean it’s not potentially problematic for caregivers—especially when it becomes excessive. Here’s a closer look at the issue of seniors and flatulence, along with caregiver tips aimed at helping seniors manage this common condition.

While getting dressed and undressed each day may not be an issue for most people, it can be a major obstacle for older adults and people with physical limitations. But the impact doesn’t end there. Also faced with dressing- and undressing-related challenges? Caregivers for older adults and people with physical limitations. The good news? Adaptive clothing offers help for patients and caregivers alike. Here’s a closer look at adaptive shirts, pants and shoes, along with where to find them.

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.

An abundance of seasonal songs may enthuse over all things merry, bright, happy and joyous during the holidays. However, the truth is that feelings of loneliness may be heightened at this time of year—particularly for older adults. Here’s a closer look at the phenomenon, along with caregiver tips aimed at helping seniors cope with holiday loneliness.

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. 

Proverbs 17:22 tells us, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." 

We can think of no better embodiment of this saying than when it comes to caregiving. Here’s a closer look at why embracing happiness -- even amidst some of life’s greatest challenges -- is an invaluable pursuit.

Monica Do Coutto Monni is the executive director of Near North Palliative Care Network, a non-profit organization which provides one-stop palliative care, bereavement and grief, and end-of-life free volunteer-based services and training in Northern Ontario. We had a chance to talk with Monica about how our culture views end-of-life issues and why quality hospice and palliative care are becoming more important as the population ages.

As if the trail of destruction left by Hurricane Harvey wasn’t enough, another threat is rising in the wreckage: Disaster-related charity scams. Even worse? Many of these ruthless fraudsters have philanthropic seniors in their sights. Here’s a closer look at this elder care issue, along with tips on how caregivers can help seniors avoid falling victim to these opportunistic predators.