Dear Allegra, My mother’s health has been declining over the past year. While she is still mentally alert, her physical health is failing. My husband and I are considering having her move in with us. Our children are grown and gone, and we are both retired. One concern I have is that my mother will … Continued
Perhaps one of the biggest concerns of senior adults as they age is the possibility of a broken hip. Along with the pain associated with such an occurrence comes the fear of disability and even death. Unfortunately, broken hips and the elderly tend to go together, so it’s a good idea to understand the prognosis … Continued
With the holidays just around the corner, you may be wondering what you can get for your loved ones who suffer from memory loss. Finding gifts for dementia patients or gifts for Alzheimer’s patients can be difficult, but it’s not impossible with a little help from these gift giving ideas. Depending on the stage of … Continued
Dear Allegra, My oldest friend is a caregiver for her 85-year-old mother. I see the physical and emotional toll caregiving is taking on her. As we head into the holiday season, I’m struggling to find a truly meaningful gift for her. I’d like to give her something really special. Do you have any suggestions for … Continued
Murali Doraiswamy, co-author of The Alzheimer’s Action Plan, told the Washington Post in a 2013 interview that music has been shown to benefit Alzheimer’s patients. “It does tend to brighten them up, to make them more alert, more socially active, and I suspect for the duration [of the session] there is a distinct cognitive improvement,” … Continued
Regular exercise can have an enormous impact on our health and well-being. But with age, we tend to lose our balance, flexibility, and endurance. And living with limited mobility, it can be particularly difficult for senior citizens to find an appropriate exercise regimen. It’s led many to ask, is Pilates good for seniors? Reasons Seniors … Continued
Dear Allegra, I am a nursing student at a local university. As I get closer to graduation, I am exploring my options for the future. Since I was a high school freshman, I’ve been a volunteer at an assisted living community. It’s something I truly enjoy. As I prepare for graduation, I’m contemplating a career … Continued
Moving to a new home can be stressful. It’s often a time of uncertainty, with losses of familiarity and parting with friends. Elderly parents who are moved can endure even greater stress. Moving them in the wrong way may even have a traumatic effect and potentially lead to relocation stress syndrome. Relocation does not have … Continued
Anyone can feel a little anxious at times or even have a full-fledged bout of anxiety, but if a senior adult finds that their anxiety is interfering with their normal daily activities, it may be time to talk to a doctor before it gets worse. What Is Anxiety? Everyone deals with anxiety, but there’s a … Continued
Dear Allegra, I work for a regional library with a very active community of retirees. Many of them are family caregivers for a spouse or elderly parent. We are working on an awareness campaign to honor their service and shine a spotlight on these unsung heroes. As part of this effort, we would like to … Continued