BLOG
The Senior Community Lifestyle
5 Tips for Organizing a Michigan Senior’s Health File
Dear Donna: I will be visiting my mom who lives in Muskegon, Michigan next month. One of the items on our “To Do List” is to organize her health information. When I went with her to the doctor during my trip home at Christmas, I realized how important it is to get all...
Advice for New Michigan Caregivers
Dear Donna: I am the oldest of three kids and the one who lives closest to our parents. My dad had a stroke last month and is no longer able to drive. My mom was always a nervous driver in her younger days and gave it up entirely about 15 years ago. While I’ve been...
Why are Seniors at Higher Risk for Medication Errors?
If you are the adult child of a Michigan senior, at some point you will likely find yourself helping them manage their medical care. Older adults often live with multiple health conditions which can require them to take a variety of medications. In fact, on average,...
Best Pets for Michigan Seniors
If the Michigan senior you love is feeling lonely and blue after the long winter, a pet may be a happy solution! Pets can be great therapists. They are proven to help with everything from decreasing blood pressure to lowering rates of depression among our elders....
Can Meditation Help Protect Brain Health?
Mediation is the practice of quietly focusing thoughts on the present moment or on a simple word or phrase. It is most commonly associated with religious practices, but it is often recommended to improve health and well-being. In fact, the Latin root of the word “To...
What Cars Are Rated Best for Older Adults Safety?
Driving an automobile allows seniors in Michigan to maintain their independence. But as we age, our ability to operate a car safely declines. According to AAA, 90 percent of adults over 65 have health conditions that impair driving. In addition, age-related issues...
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Dos and Don’ts
Caring for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s is difficult and sometimes frustrating. As the disease progresses, it robs your senior loved one of the ability to understand and communicate. It also brings personality changes and behavioral changes that can challenge...
Talking with Kids about Alzheimer’s Disease
We know firsthand how tough it is to talk with kids about a grandparent’s Alzheimer’s. People of all ages have difficulty understanding this debilitating disease. Making time to explain what is happening to children is important. A grandparent or other senior family...
Raising Awareness on World Stroke Awareness Day (October 29th)
Strokes occur when the flow of oxygen to the brain is blocked. They can happen to people of all ages, but the chance of suffering one is much higher for seniors over age 65. When an aging parent suffers a stroke, it is crucial that they get treatment right away to...
Halloween Safety Tips When a Senior Has Alzheimer’s Disease
Halloween can present unique challenges for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Ghosts and goblins, jack-o’-lanterns and skeletons are fun for most of us, but the sights and sounds of this spooky season can agitate and confuse seniors with dementia....
Worry-free Strategies for Long-Distance Caregiving
Caring for an aging parent in Michigan can be stressful. According to the American Psychological Association, 80% of Baby Boomers report high levels of caregiving stress. Playing an active role in your senior loved one’s care when you live in another city can compound...
Can Assisted Living Help Improve a Senior’s Nutrition and Health?
Dear Donna: My mother is 81 years old and lives alone in her home near Holland, Michigan. Over the past year she has been in and out of the emergency room more times than I can even count! The issues have ranged from being dehydrated to several falls to a bad case of...