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The Senior Community Lifestyle
How Can I Help my Newly Single Mother Make New Friends?
My father passed away about six months ago, and my mother seems to be struggling with loneliness. My parents always did everything together, from cooking meals to weekly yard work. Now that my dad is gone, my mom isn't adjusting to single life as well as I'd hoped. I...
How the Food Pyramid is Different for Seniors
Life changes as you get older, and so do your nutritional needs. You may have noticed a slowdown in your metabolism. Maybe you’re less physically active than you once were. Or maybe food just doesn’t taste the same so your diet is changing. Whatever the case, it’s...
How Can Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed in Seniors?
As loved ones age there are certain illnesses, like Alzheimer’s disease, that become concerns. Some of the worry comes from uncertainty about what the symptoms are, and how the disease is diagnosed. Often, the early symptoms of Alzheimer's are mistaken for the normal...
Dear Donna – My dad won’t drink water!
Dear Donna- With the heat of a Michigan summer upon us, I am struggling with an issue I face every year. That is, my dad just won’t drink much water. I am his primary caregiver and we have this back and forth battle every summer. When we are outdoors and I try to...
How to Evaluate a Memory Care Program
The early stages of Alzheimer’s disease are known to cause memory problems. However, as the disease progresses, more symptoms develop. Your senior loved one may experience difficulty with routine daily tasks, communication skills, and appropriate social behavior. A...
Summer Scam Season is Heating up!
If there’s one thing in life that never seems to change, it’s the prevalence of scammers out to trick us out of money. While it’s true that anyone can become the victim of fraud, summer scam season is often aimed directly at seniors. For caregivers, a little knowledge...
Summer Activities for Adults with Dementia to Enjoy
Michigan caregivers might find themselves struggling to come up with meaningful activities for an older adult who has dementia or Alzheimer’s. While some families take advantage of adult day programs to help their loved one stay active, many seniors don’t attend every...
Is it Time for a Senior Loved One to Break Up with a Doctor?
It used to be great. They listened when something was wrong, and respected the opinions your senior loved one shared with them. They used to take time to talk about your concerns, and sometimes even share a laugh. But something's changed. Lately, they seem hurried, no...
Can a Positive Attitude Affect How You Age?
Keep your face to the sun, and you will never see the shadows!" This widely known Helen Keller quote perfectly sums up the conscious choice to stay focused on the positive things in your life. But is there more to having a sunny disposition than just "being a happy...
Mother’s Day Gifts Ideas for Grandma
Dear Donna: My grandmother recently moved to one of your assisted living communities in Michigan. I am heading home from college soon and can’t wait to see her and her new apartment on Mother’s Day! I would like to bring my grandma a housewarming/Mother’s Day present,...
Medication Management Tips and Tools for Michigan Seniors
Setting up a medication management schedule is the best way to keep an older adult on-track with the prescription and over-the-counter medicines. One of the biggest challenges is finding ways to stay organized. From monitoring when refills are due to setting up a pill...
How to Choose a Senior-friendly Realtor to Sell Your Loved One’s Home
If you're getting ready to help a loved one sell the family home in Michigan, don't dive in unprepared. There's a minefield of emotional, financial, and legal issues you'll need to know about before you take that first step. Finding a realtor you can trust is a good...