Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Quality of Life

Self-care keeps your body and mind in peak condition. It can be difficult to practice self-care when you’re caring for someone else. Perhaps you are not only a parent to young ones, but a caregiver to your aging parents. Maybe you are a spouse caring for another spouse, or a family member or friend serving as caregiver for an elderly loved one. It could be that your caregiving role is made all the more trying because your loved one has dementia. Caregiving can be stressful, and mental burnout can quickly happen if you don’t stay on top of self-care. Start by making small, wellness-focused changes to your life, and you’ll soon see the benefits that follow. Many aspects of self-care seem obvious, like getting enough sleep, taking time to relax, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. It’s unfortunate that these activities are so often overlooked, because they prove extremely beneficial to mental health.

Former first lady Barbara Bush recently made news when she elected to focus on “comfort care” instead of pursuing additional medical treatments following years of failing health. Read on for a closer look at what “comfort care” means, along with why it’s an option for people with many different kinds of illnesses. 

With 90 percent of people over the age of 65 planning to “age in place,” caregivers are increasingly tasked with the challenge of keeping their aging loved ones healthy and safe in their homes. According to HomeAdvisor’s 2017 Aging in Place report, the key to facilitating this process involves taking a holistic approach to home improvement. 

The diagnosis of a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be frightening, confusing and overwhelming. While these emotions are natural, they can also be immobilizing—especially if you have no experience with the disease. Finding out as much as possible about the situation can offer both clarity and peace of mind for patients and caregivers alike. Read on for a roundup of five questions to ask your aging loved one’s healthcare team after an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. 

Seniors have many stories to tell. A growing body of evidence indicates that not only do other people benefit from hearing these stories, but seniors also benefit from sharing them. Here’s a closer look at why seniors should document their life stories, along with caregiver tips for helping them.

There are nearly 48 million people age 65 and older in the US, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. By the year 2060, this number is projected to climb to 98.2 million. While seniors are healthier than ever, they still suffer from a number of obstacles pertaining to everything from loneliness and isolation to nutrition and money. 

When we hear the word “sex,” seniors aren’t typically the first demographic that comes to mind. But the reality is that relationships and sex are an important part of quality of life, health, and well-being for seniors. Here’s a closer look at recent research about sex and seniors, along with what it means for caregivers.

The internet of things (IoT) era promises big things for the healthcare sector. But are patients and caregivers prepared to harness its full potential—both to improve the quality of care and lighten the caregiver burden? The Deloitte 2016 Survey of Health Care Consumers took a closer look at this issue, and the findings are promising: “Patients of all demographics—even seniors—are at least amenable to technology-enabled care.” Wondering what the IoT means for you as a caregiver? Here’s what you need to know.

Communicating with people who are experiencing dementia, age-related cognitive decline, and/or disorientation can be challenging. However, it’s not impossible—especially with the right tools in place. One particularly effective method for communicating with disoriented seniors? The Validation Method. Here’s a closer look at this method of helping seniors and their caregivers share less stressful, more meaningful connections. 

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.