Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Elder Care Issues (5)

Stephan Baldwin is the Director of Business Development for Assisted Living Center, an online resource for aging care communities.

Dementia is a terrible disease that affects more people in the world than most people realize. It is quick-acting, harsh, and can take away every part of what a person once was while leaving their body seemingly healthy.

Communicating with loved ones suffering from dementia can be frustrating, but also rewarding.

Shelley Webb is an award-winning blogger who specializes in senior care and social media. She has more than 30 years of experience as a registered nurse, RN case manager, geriatric care manager and caregiver to her father.

Joints connect bones, provide support, and help us move. Unfortunately, injury and disease can damage joints, leading to impeded movement and debilitating pain. As we age, these issues become increasingly common -- particularly during the winter months when cold exacerbates the issue. But while joint pain is a fact of life for many seniors, caregivers can help them manage their discomfort and improve their quality of life. Let's take a closer look at the issue of joint pain, along with several effective pain management techniques.

A doctor can shed light on what's causing senior joint pain.

More than half of seniors suffer from urinary incontinence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While many people accept incontinence as part of the "normal" aging process, the truth is that there are many ways to treat and even cure the problem. Let's take a closer look at this common issue, along with ways elder caregivers can help their loved ones manage and even overcome urinary incontinence.

The word "bully" usually brings to mind thoughts of behaviors found on elementary school playgrounds and on the back of the bus. However, bullying doesn't necessarily end when childhood does. In fact, it can continue throughout life and even into the senior years. Let's take a closer look at the problem of senior bullying, along with management tips for seniors and caregivers.

Scientists continue to learn about the brain's extraordinary capacity, including its ability to learn and regenerate from the cradle to the grave. Also known as neuroplasticity, increased understanding of this phenomenon offers new hope for the reversal of age-related declines in brain function. Let's take a closer look at the topic of neuroplasticity, along with how you can help your aging loved one enjoy enhanced brain health.

People with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia have different care requirements than those in conventional assisted living settings. Are you wondering whether memory care is the best option for your aging loved one? Read on to learn more about memory care, along with what family members can expect from this type of care facility.

Memory care therapy can relieve stress and stimulate memories.

More than a quarter of people aged 65 and older -- approximately 11.8 million senior Americans -- have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. For the majority of them, insulin injections are a critical tool for treating the disease. If you're a caregiver for a senior with diabetes, do you understand what insulin is and how it works? Let's take a closer look.

Wandering and elopement are common yet problematic behaviors among seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In fact, more than 34,000 patients with Alzheimer's wander out of their homes annually; in institutionalized settings, it is estimated that as many as 24 percent of patients wander. Unfortunately, as the population continues to age, incidences of wandering and elopement are also increasing. Let's take a closer look at this issue, along with coping and prevention methods. 

If your loved one suffers from dementia, wandering may be a threat.

Cardiologists. Neurologists. Gastroenterologists. Ophthalmologists. Urologists. As a caregiver of an older adult, you are probably struggling to juggle the long list of healthcare providers your loved one is seeing in addition to a primary care physician. But is it time to add one more to the list? Let's take a closer look at the role of geriatricians, and whether one might be a valuable addition to your aging loved one's healthcare team.

A geriatrician is trained to meet his/her specific needs.