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The Senior Community Lifestyle
What to Do When a Senior with Alzheimer’s Won’t Eat
Caregiving for a senior who has Alzheimer’s often involves overcoming a variety of unique challenges. One is making mealtimes go smoothly. Alzheimer’s disease can complicate some everyday activities, such as manipulating silverware or concentrating on the tasks...
How to Help a Senior Parent Make New Friends
Dear Donna: My mother is in the process of selling her home in Florida and relocating to Michigan to live with me. While she is excited to make the move, I know it won’t be easy for her. She has a lot of friends in her active living community. Moving will mean...
National Wellness Month: 4 Steps to Successful Aging
The older you get, the more likely you are to pay attention to health and wellness. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet discovered the fountain of youth, despite what beauty ads say. Researchers do, however, have sound advice on steps you can take to look and feel your best...
Keeping a Senior Outdoorsman Safe in the Summer
Dear Donna: My father has always loved nature and spending time outdoors. At 92, he’s still an avid outdoorsman. While I don’t want to squelch his enthusiasm, his safety is a big concern. Dad is living with my husband and me and routinely heads outside on his own to...
How to Cope When a Parent Starts Dating Again
Dear Donna: My father passed away unexpectedly two years ago. After over forty years of marriage, my mom has been lost without him. She recently joined a single seniors group at her church. They play cards, go out for lunch, and organize trips to museums, zoos, and...
What Is a Sandwich Generation Caregiver?
You may have heard the phrase sandwich generation and wondered what it meant. This term was coined to classify adults sandwiched between caring for aging parents and raising a family of their own. Many do this while working outside the home. These sandwich generation...
Do Seniors Need Colonoscopies?
Dear Donna: My father is 81 years old. He last had a colonoscopy at 70. It’s always been tough getting him to comply with doctor’s orders, especially when it comes to this screening. We have an appointment with his primary care doctor in two weeks. I suspect the topic...
Independence Day Safety for Adults with Alzheimer’s
Independence Day celebrates the birth of our nation. It’s typically filled with parades, picnics, and barbeques. For many, attending a community fireworks event or launching a few small firecrackers in the yard are a favorite part of their annual July 4th tradition....
How to Evaluate the Quality of a Memory Care Program
Dear Donna:My husband is the guardian for his great-uncle who has Alzheimer’s disease. Since his diagnosis a year ago, we’ve found ways to keep him safe in his own home. The time has come, however, to begin searching for an Alzheimer’s care community. We aren’t sure...
Stay Connected with Friends While Caregiving
A challenge shared by many caregivers is the loneliness the role often creates. As their loved ones’ need for assistance increases, many people find themselves cut off from friends when they need emotional support more than ever. This situation can easily result in...
Tick Prevention: How to Stay Safe Outdoors This Summer
As the threat of coronavirus lingers, many older adults continue to adhere to strict social distancing standards. Spending time outdoors is one way to safely enjoy summer. Strolls in local parks and gardening combine exercise with stress relief and improved mental...
3 Tips for Making a Senior’s Physician Appointment Easier
Dear Donna: Like many men his age, my dad isn’t so great about going to the doctor. It’s been especially difficult since my mother passed away. She could usually gain his cooperation more easily than I can. My dad is 79 years old. Although he is in fairly good health,...