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The Senior Community Lifestyle
Natural Ways to Beat the Caregiver Blues
Caregiving for a senior loved one can come with many rewards. It may give family members who’ve drifted apart the opportunity to reconnect and reminisce. There’s also the warm feeling that comes from lending support to someone who cared for and nurtured you. But there...
Are Assisted Living Expenses Tax Deductible?
Dear Donna: My husband and I have been helping my mom finance home care for a few years now. Over the holidays, we decided that moving to an assisted living community might give her a better quality of life. Because we live almost two hours away from her, we can’t...
Lifelong Learning and Healthy Aging
Most people associate fitness with physical activity. We visualize people walking, cycling, swimming, weight lifting, or performing aerobics. While that’s a vital part of healthy aging, another type of fitness is important, too. That is giving your brain a daily...
Does Your Diet Need a Heart-Smart Makeover?
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women worldwide. The statistics are startling. Research shows that 1 in 4 deaths are linked to heart disease. Heart health experts say it doesn’t have to be this way. Many of the risk factors...
Is Your Senior Loved One Experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Does your aging parent or a senior in your family have a case of the “winter blues” they just can’t seem to shake? More than 6.5 million Americans over the age of 55 are impacted by seasonal depression. Shorter days, less sunlight, and more time spent indoors can...
How Is Assisted Living Different from Home Care?
Dear Donna: My parents both turned 80 this year and still live independently in their own home. Recently, I’ve noticed signs that have me wondering if we’ll need to make a change soon. Their house isn’t quite as clean and cared for as it’s always been, and even my...
What Is Parkinson’s Dementia?
Dear Donna: A dear friend and colleague I’ve worked with for many years is the caregiver for her husband, who has Parkinson’s disease. For a long time, she was able to manage his care at home with help from their teenaged children. Several months ago, however, they...
Insomnia and Aging: How to Get a Good Night’s Rest
Dear Donna: Since I retired a few years ago, I’ve developed insomnia. While I know many people have difficulty sleeping well as they get older, it’s new for me. I’ve read sleep issues can contribute to health problems, so I know I need to beat this. Do you have any...
What to Ask during Your First Call to an Assisted Living Community
Dear Donna: My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few months ago. Fortunately, his primary care doctor spotted the symptoms early and proactively referred Dad to a neurologist. While we know there is no cure for the disease, we are working with the physician...
How Is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average age in this country has climbed by 3.4 years since 2000. As our population grows older, it only stands to reason that age-related medical issues are on the rise, too. One is Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of...
Living a Purpose-Filled Life during Retirement
A happy, thriving retirement is something people dream about for many years. We envision days filled with activities of our own choosing, such as sleeping in, traveling, and reconnecting with favorite hobbies from the past. But what happens a few months after you...
Recognizing the Early Signs of Alzheimer’s
Dear Donna: I have an elderly neighbor that we’ve lived next to for over twenty years. She doesn’t have any family left and seems to have outlived most of her friends. My children think of her as a bonus grandmother, and we are all very attached to her. My husband and...