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The Senior Community Lifestyle
Organizing Your Files During Tax Season When You Are a Family Caregiver
Tax season can be stressful for anyone, but if you're a family caregiver, the process can feel especially overwhelming. Between managing caregiving duties, medical appointments, and daily responsibilities, organizing your financial documents might not be at the top of...
Hydration and Aging: It’s More Than Just a Summer Concern
As winter settles in across Michigan, many of us are focused on sipping hot beverages and enjoying activities indoors. One crucial aspect of winter wellness that often gets overlooked, especially for older adults, is hydration. Aging often alters the body's natural...
Tips for Coping with the Post-Holiday Blues
Dear Donna: Every year after the holidays are over, I find myself feeling down. As an older woman living alone, winter can be tough. I’ve become an anxious driver in recent years, so I tend to stay close to home. While my daughter is great about calling and chatting...
Understanding the Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Understanding the symptoms associated with each stage of the disease can help patients, caregivers, and families navigate the challenges of this condition....
What to Include in Winter Emergency Kits for Your Home and Car
Dear Donna: Over the past year, I’ve become the primary caregiver for my parents. While they are still somewhat independent and my dad does drive on occasion, much of their daily needs are falling on me. As we head into the tough winter months in Michigan, I am...
Diet and Alzheimer’s: How What You Eat May Impact Your Risk for the Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects an estimated 55 million people worldwide. While scientists say genetics and age are risk factors, emerging research suggests diet may also play a crucial role in the development of...
Holidays, Caregiver Stress, and Family Dynamics
Dear Donna: As the primary caregiver for my mom, I’ve learned how stressful the holidays can be. This is the third Christmas since my mother moved in with us, and I’m trying to better manage my expectations and my time. I have two brothers who live close by, but...
Holiday Gift Guide for Senior Loved Ones
Selecting holiday gifts for the seniors in your life can be a struggle. Many people feel as if their older loved ones have everything they want and need. However, you probably don’t want the season to pass without finding something to express your affection and...
What Is the Best Way to Start the Search for a Senior Living Community?
Dear Donna: My husband of 57 years passed away recently and I’ve been living alone since. Our house and yard are just too much for me to keep up with. I feel so tied down that I can’t travel to see my out-of-state grandkids as often as I would like. While I’m still...
How Can I Be a More Empathetic Caregiver After Years of Providing Support?
Dear Donna: For almost 9 years, I have been caregiving for my husband as he has battled cancer. More times than I can count, we have been told the end was near. In the last 2 years, I’ve been by his side constantly. I rarely see anyone except my adult children and...
How Caring for the Spirit Promotes Better Wellness
Caring for the spirit is an essential part of holistic wellness at any age. It can impact emotional, mental, and even physical well-being. Spiritual wellness can be defined as a sense of connection to something greater than oneself, whether that is a higher power,...
Celebrating the Holidays with a Loved One in Senior Living
Dear Donna: My kids and I are trying to figure out how to celebrate the holidays with my mom, who recently moved to a senior living community. While my mom will be joining us on Christmas day at our home, we’d like to find ways to help her enjoy the season in her new...