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The Senior Community Lifestyle
Vision Health & the Importance of an Annual Eye Exam
As you age, you may notice some changes in your vision. Many occur from the natural aging of the eye and can be improved with extra light or prescription glasses. Sometimes, vision changes are not a normal part of aging and are the beginning stages of eye disease....
3 Ways to Make It Easier for Seniors to Part with a Home
Dear Donna, My mom is moving to an assisted living community in a few weeks, and she is having anxiety surrounding the move. She has lived in her home for over 40 years, and it is challenging for her to accept that she will be leaving. She knows the move is best for...
Can Engaging in Art Projects Prevent Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease affects a person’s memory. As the disease progresses, many people lose their ability to communicate verbally. Art therapy has increasingly been used to help adults with Alzheimer’s cope with their symptoms. Not only can art help them express their...
How to Keep Aging Parents Safe on Senior Dating Sites
Dear Donna, My mom is dating for the first time since my father’s death. I am happy for her, but also concerned about her safety. I have heard there are scammers who specifically target seniors. How do I keep my mom safe while dating? Grace from Holland, MI When Aging...
4 Ways Gardening Can Help Prevent Depression in Older Adults
Gardening is a common pastime for all ages. For some, gardening is more than a hobby. Tending and cultivating a garden has several physical and mental health benefits. Current research suggests it may even help alleviate symptoms of depression in older adults. 4 Ways...
3 Ways Assisted Living Is Different Than a Nursing Home
Dear Donna, My mom fell recently, and she no longer feels safe on her own. She wants to find an independent living arrangement where she can have access to assistance if needed. We have narrowed down her options to an assisted living community or a nursing home, but...
How to Connect with an Online Caregiver Support Group
Dear Donna, I am the primary caregiver for my mother, who is in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease. I have been feeling lonely lately, but I am having trouble connecting with people who understand the challenges I am facing. I am interested in joining an online...
Understanding the 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Watching a loved one move through the stages of Alzheimer’s disease is never easy. Sadness, anger, and frustration are just a few emotions caregivers experience. Knowing what to expect can help alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding your loved one’s diagnosis. Here...
5 Sunscreen Tips for Older Adults
With age, many changes happen to the skin. Not only does your skin produce less collagen and become drier, but it also becomes more sensitive. Because your immune system also weakens over time, your skin has an increasingly difficult time repairing sun damage. Wearing...
Decoding Senior Living Lingo
Dear Donna, I am helping my parents explore their senior living options. I keep coming across terminology I have never heard before. Can you help me decode senior living lingo? Sincerely, Tina Understanding Senior Living Lingo Dear Tina, Senior living is a new topic...
4 Ways to Cope with Repetitive Alzheimer’s Questions
Dear Donna, My dad has Alzheimer’s disease, and it causes him to ask the same questions over and over again. I know he can’t help it, but it is frustrating to repeat myself all the time. How can I cope with my dad’s repetitive questions? Kendra from Holland, MI Coping...
8 Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Guardians
If a senior loved one is having trouble making decisions for themselves, you may have considered becoming their guardian. Senior guardianships can be difficult to understand. Many families don’t know everything the role entails. Here are a few things caregivers should...