If you are a family caregiver for a loved one suffering with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, you probably know the days are far too long and the trials you face are incredibly difficult and tiring. Often times, before our Kind Companions step in to provide the much needed relief, we see many signs of caregiver burnout. This burnout can result in a weakened immune system, mental health struggles, and out of control anxiety or depression. Here are some helpful ways to prevent

As we age, we now know our cognitive health and brain health both start to decline over time. Studies continue to show there are many strategies to help prevent brain aging and stay sharp longer. Here are 5 strategies proven to fight brain aging and jumpstart your cognitive health: 1. Maintain Stable Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels Many seniors are often shocked to find out there's a correlation between heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. But consider how the vascula

We definitely live in a world where everyone is using some form of social media on a daily basis. It's now estimated that every generation between the ages of 7 and 90 are logging into social media sites every single day. Some of our clients come to us and express concern about their aging parents and grandparents being accessible on social media, especially with so many potential scams happening and the increased negativity. While we certainly agree that monitoring use for o

Sometimes our loved ones may not be able to travel easily without a wheelchair or extra assistance, or perhaps they have Alzheimer's disease, heart problems or other conditions. These challenges can make vacations and travel bit more complicated, but that doesn't mean you should forego those special plans or cancel them altogether. We've put together some tips on how to travel safely with your seniors or elderly loved ones. 1. Get Doctor Approval First The first and most impo

Whether your loved one has Alzheimers disease, a heart condition, Parkinson's Disease or another condition, there may come a time when your family has the conversation about placing them into a care facility instead of continuing care at home. Although we encourage keeping your loved one at home as long as possible, and therefore provide extensive services to help make that possible, we know what a tough decision this can be for all families. Here are a few points to consider

Sometimes the best decision for our elderly parents and grandparents is to consider a senior living or assisted living facility. Nursing homes may often be the first thing that comes to mind, but there are so many other options now, from personal care homes to retirement communities. Many offer different services from memory care to assistance with daily living activities. Here are a few questions to keep in mind as you are touring the various facilities: Are the buildings bo

Technically, fall is supposed to take place next week. If you live in Texas, like we do, the temperatures are still pretty unbearable, so the word 'fall' feels a bit mismatched. Even so, we wanted to share a few lessons that the fall trees can teach us about life: 1. Even Great Things Change Every year we watch the trees outside the windows of the Kind Companions office turn different colors and eventually the leaves fall and the trees become bare. It takes just a few months

Planning for holiday travel or activities with loved ones who are ill or have a chronic disease can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Many of our clients are able to travel with or without their loved ones during this busy season, and we are proud to help you plan for success either way. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you enter the holiday season: 1. Traveling with your loved one who suffers from Alzheimer's or Dementia may not be realistic without

A client of ours contacted us several months ago about scheduling some daytime companionship for her mother. She has Alzheimer's and has been struggling for several years to maintain her lifestyle and stay in her home. After a scary incident at home, her daughter made the decision to move in with her mom permanently to take over her care herself, but utilizing Kind Companions to fill in the gaps when she went to work in the mornings and ran errands, doctor appointments, etc.

Let's be real here. One of the toughest things you will ever have to do in this world is care for another human being. Factor in that human being may very well be your aging parent, and it's even more complicated. We grow up with our parents as our heroes, our rock in time of need, and when the tables turn we face unexpected obstacles and challenges. Here are some of the top tips our caregivers and clients have shared with us to help them cope with an elderly parent. 1. Accep

The holidays can be a stressful time for most families, with emotions running high and other challenges. But for families living with Dementia or Alzheimer’s, the challenges may seem greater or even more stressful. Here are some helpful tips on how to make the most of your holiday and make it enjoyable for you, your family and your loved ones with Dementia: 1. Be Flexible, But Be Prepared If your loved one’s behavior has changed recently, it may be prudent to write a letter o

We recently shared an article about an assisted living facility that is designed to look like a neighborhood, written by Caitlin Schneider of Mental_Floss. You can take a look at the article here. We had a lot of engagement when we shared this article, and it makes sense. Here is the powerful image that was included in the article, painting a picture of familiarity and that 'small town' feeling for those who may reside there. We understand why this image struck a chord with