Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Quality of Life (2)

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.

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.

Many conversations about aging often involve the topic of quality of life for seniors. However, a recent Forbes article highlights a flaw in the use of “quality of life” as a blanket term: Not only is it subjective, but it’s also inherently dynamic. Given the ambiguity surrounding the oft-used phrase and its meaning, it follows that there’s often confusion regarding how best to support quality of life for elderly people. 

Many people who have been diagnosed with chronic, life-threatening illnesses are not yet ready for end-of-life hospice. Until recently, they may have felt "in between" in terms of the options available to serve their needs. A relatively new medical specialty known as "palliative care" has emerged as a response to this void. Focused on enhancing quality of life for the chronically or severely ill, palliative care offers new hope for patients, families and caregivers.

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.

How To Prepare Responsibly For The Future

As healthcare improves and advances in medicine progress, we’re living longer. It’s important that we help senior loved ones manage their finances carefully so that they make their later years truly golden. A healthy financial situation can also help reduce stress and lead to a better quality of life for seniors.

Here are a few tips for ensuring that your loved one is being financially responsible with their resources.

A third of today's youth lack mentors, according to a report from mentoring.org. Countless older adults, meanwhile, are isolated, lonely and in need of companionship. What do you get when you combine the two? Profound opportunities for healthier, happier kids, seniors, and communities.

What better time to take a closer look at multigenerational mentorship than during January's National Mentoring Month? Read on to learn more about the many mutually beneficial outcomes of senior-youth mentorship relationships, along with how to find opportunities for getting involved in your area.

When discussions turn to Christmas gifts for seniors, Wiis, Xboxes, and other video gaming systems typically don't make the list. However, the truth is that people of all ages and abilities not only enjoy video games, but can also derive many benefits from using them. Let's count down five reasons to consider gifting your aging loved one with a Wii or other home video game console this year.

Social isolation and poor nutrition unfortunately go hand in hand for many seniors. There's no better time to shine the spotlight on this subject than on "National Eat With a Friend Day," celebrated every November 25th. Let's take a closer look at why it's particularly important for seniors to have opportunities for social eating, along with ways to help your aging loved one find more joy in eating -- and in life! -- through shared meals with friends, family, and fellow community members.

The words "making friends" usually bring to mind thoughts of elementary school, playground games, and other childhood-related elements. However, friendship is not the sole domain of children. In fact, friends are more important than ever for people in their golden years, and yet much more challenging to come by. Wondering why close relationships matter so much, and how to help cultivate them among the seniors in your life? Let's take a closer look.