Dear Allegra: I am a caregiver for my father as he recovers from a stroke. While he is making progress, he still relies on a wheelchair when we go anywhere that requires much walking. My husband gets a little nervous that we don’t know much about proper wheelchair use. He thinks we need to attend wheelchair … Continued
Experiencing a burst of energy before death sounds like it would only happen in dramatic films or other forms of fiction. But it’s actually fairly common, and has been observed in modern medical literature for at least two and a half centuries. You can even find accounts from ancient Greek physicians like Hippocrates. What is … Continued
Caregiving is a physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding job. Whether you are a professional caregiver or a non-paid family caregiver, the toll it takes on your own well-being can be significant. In fact, caregivers often develop health problems of their own. One of which is alcohol or substance abuse. Estimates are that as many as … Continued
There’s no question that you want to be there for your loved one when they need your help, but the truth is, caregiver burnout can affect family relationships. It’s important to know that needing help or considering respite care to help you manage your loved one’s needs doesn’t make you a bad caregiver Caregiver Burnout Statistics When … Continued
Recovering from surgery without friends or family can be a difficult process. Most surgeries will keep you immobile for long periods of time and you may require some assistance in performing daily tasks. However, there are steps you can take and services you can utilize to ease your recovery. Surgery Recovery: What to Do Before … Continued
Cleaning their home can be difficult for older adults due to inability to reach high places or difficulty moving for long periods of time. Cleaning help for seniors can vary in levels of service but in this post, we are going to specifically examine light housekeeping and what that entails. What Is Light Housekeeping? When … Continued
Companion Care: When You Need Someone To Sit With Elderly Adults As family members and loved ones age, it can be difficult for them to spend long periods of time at home alone. They may find it challenging to complete everyday activities, such as running errands, cleaning the house, or cooking meals. Perhaps they are … Continued
Whilst dogs are generally adaptable to their lifestyle, if, as a senior, you are bringing a new pooch into your home, there are certain things to consider that will make life much easier. Firstly, consider if the dog’s energy levels will meet yours – if you love walking, then an avid walker will fit right … Continued
Having fluid in the lungs can be scary, dangerous, and deeply uncomfortable. As each breath draws fluid into the lungs instead of air, the resulting shortness of breath may feel like drowning. Fluid in lungs of the elderly is quite common, and it’s often difficult to treat. But what causes fluid in the lungs in … Continued
There are a variety of different causes of balance problems in older adults, from inner ear issues to nerve damage to certain diseases. Fortunately, family caregivers can learn several easy exercises so they know how to improve balance in the elderly. Many of them can be done from the comfort of your own home, with … Continued