Family Caregiver Blog
Honoring a veteran’s story with an audio memoir
Veterans Day, coming up next month, is a great time to consider preserving the stories of your aging loved ones who served. One option is to make a recording together. It could be a deeply meaningful experience for everyone involved!
Preventing a second heart attack
Optimal recovery from a heart attack includes serious lifestyle changes. Find out what you can do to help your loved one reduce the chance of a recurrence.
Time to switch Part D plans?
It’s Medicare Open Enrollment time! October 15 to December 7 is your aging loved one’s chance to review and update their Part D prescription plan. Plans change every year, affecting cost and coverage, so it pays to understand the details.
Digital assistants and older adults
As digital assistants become more commonplace, family caregivers might wonder what these devices can do to help their aging loved ones stay independent and safe at home.
How to report symptoms to the doctor
If you care for an older adult who needs medical attention, it helps for you both to know the best way to clearly describe symptoms. The better the communication, the more accurately a doctor can diagnose what’s wrong.
Groundwork for Calm: Routines That Strengthen Mental Resilience
Anxiety has a way of sneaking into the ordinary moments—when you’re checking email, waiting in traffic, or staring at the ceiling at night. The mind looks for certainty but often finds noise. What helps isn’t always a breakthrough technique or a radical reset. More often, it’s the everyday rhythms that tether you to stability: a…
Packing a “go bag”
Disasters can strike fast. Would your aging loved one be ready to go? A well-packed emergency “go bag” can help immensely, providing essentials such as medications, documents, and comfort items. Take time now to prepare one so it’s ready to go when it matters.
Reducing the risk of falls
Falls are a big cause of injury among older adults, but many can be prevented by taking the right steps. A fall risk assessment by a doctor can help catch potential dangers early. Staying active with balance, strength, and aerobic exercises can also greatly reduce the risk.
Finding time to grandparent
Having trouble balancing your duties as a family caregiver with maintaining a connection with your grandchildren? It might help to reframe your expectations and get creative about how you show up in their lives.