Many of us have lost loved ones this year, or many over the past few years. Though the holiday season is supposed to be a time of happiness, joy and celebration, it just may not feel that way for many. In fact, for many of our seniors, it's truly a struggle to stay positive or happy during this time. Many face depression during the holidays, and express thoughts of feeling isolated or left out. If they recently lost a spouse or family member, the holidays may be a harsh remin

As our bodies age, our brains will also begin to age. Although life experiences and knowledge increases, studies have shown our day-to-day memory and cognitive functions start to decline once we hit our late thirties! But don't give up hope just yet! There are plenty of things seniors (as well as all of us) can engage in to improve their mental health, functionality and simply fight back against the power of aging. Here are some activities for seniors to improve overall brain

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

Managing conflict in families is probably one of the most common challenges we all face. From sibling rivalry to money disputes and more, our families are often caught in the crossfire when two relatives have a disagreement. Although it's probably more often viewed as a normal way of life for many, it certainly doesn't have to be. Here are a few ideas of how to manage and prevent family conflict from getting out of control. 1. Have Family Meetings Often A great way to prevent

With hotter and hotter temperatures, summer can be dangerous for many, especially those with compromised immune systems or chronic illness. Although there are lots of fun activities outdoors to enjoy, be sure to take precautions when taking the elderly or chronically ill outside. We've put together a few helpful tips for keeping your loved ones safe in the hot, summer temperatures, both at home and outside and prevent heat exhaustion. 1. Wear Sunscreen We highly recommend all

Summer is in full swing all around us. The temperatures are heating up, the kids are all out of school, and travel agents are busy planning getaways and family vacations. But if you're a family caregiver or someone with a loved one suffering from a chronic illness or other health challenges, planning a week-long trip across the country or overseas may not be possible at this time. Although it can feel like you're the only one unable to travel, studies show you certainly aren'

Caring for loved ones dealing with Alzheimer's or Dementia can be challenging if your home is not appropriately protected. A safe home can be a safe haven for those battling memory loss or issues getting around on their own. Here are a few tips on how to protect your home and your loved ones: 1. Install or plug-in night lights. 2. Use a monitoring device to alert you for falls or emergencies. 3. Pick up lightweight rugs, and make sure to secure any rugs. 4. If there are porta

Talking to your loved one about death can feel incredibly overwhelming, and even morbid for some. Although we all know that death is a natural part of the life cycle, it certainly doesn’t make the transitions easier to handle. Many of our clients feel it will seem as though they are giving up on their loved one if they start to ask questions or start a dialogue regarding their end of life plans. In fact, the exact opposite is often true. Studies show the earlier and more ofte

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