How Valentines Affect Each Other’s Health
Intriguing studies show that while feeling happy and optimistic are good for our health, our spouse’s attitude can be more important than our own!
Top Questions About Geriatric Mental Health Answered
As families help older loved ones manage physical health conditions, they shouldn’t overlook mental health changes. Here are common questions families ask about mental health.
Should My Loved One Live With Me?
Have you wondered if your aging loved one should live with you? You are not alone! Here are seven questions to ask before making a move.
“Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot”
Reminiscing is a vital process of aging and should be encouraged. Learn its many benefits and how to encourage your loved ones.
Updating Our Holiday Traditions With Older Loved Ones
As the years go by, senior loved ones often experience changes in health, and it becomes necessary to adjust family traditions. Here are some situations to consider.
Silver Singles: Dating as a Senior
Dating can be challenging at any age, but has many benefits as an older adult.
Talking About Hospice
The best time to learn about hospice care is before we need it. Here’s what people ask most often.
Considering Retiring in a Tiny House? You Need to Read This First!
Tiny houses offer several options to live big.
Help a Senior Loved One Create a Memoir
Looking for a meaningful activity to share with your parents or other older relatives this summer? How about helping them create a memoir? Reminiscing offers a great deal of emotional satisfaction and enhanced sense of purpose in life for many older adults.
May Is Older Americans Month
This year’s theme is “Make Your Mark.”
“Around the nation, older adults make their marks every day as volunteers, employees, employers, parents, grandparents, mentors and advocates. They offer their time, talents and experience to the benefit of our communities.” ~ U.S. Administration on Aging
Coronavirus in the U.S. Calls Attention to Senior Loneliness
With all the publicity about nursing homes and assisted living communities during COVID-19, what about seniors who are aging in place? During the self-isolating period of the coronavirus pandemic, seniors living at home, too, have had very limited access to their usual social connections.
I’m 65! Is It Time to Slow Down?
An old stereotype about aging suggests that we should take to our rocking chairs as we grow older. Too many people are following this bad advice, say experts!
How to Be Better Prepared for Successful Aging
When it comes to successful aging, open communication among loved ones is beneficial. Sometimes, it can be challenging for family members to have conversations with an aging relative who may fear losing their independence, but taking the initiative to talk with them honestly and compassionately can strengthen the relationship for the seasons ahead.
Ending Social Isolation in Seniors
Isolation and loneliness have been linked to a variety of health risks, such as a higher rate of heart attack, stroke, depression, anxiety, and even premature death. Social isolation, especially among the senior population, is fast becoming an epidemic in America. Loneliness, however, is reversible; there are things individuals and communities can do to help seniors feel included.
What Is Ageism and How Do We Tackle It?
The WHO Global Campaign to Combat Ageism “aims to build a world for all ages by changing the way we think, feel and act towards age and aging.” As with any issue that needs to be addressed, acknowledging the problem is the first step toward finding a solution. Take some time to examine your own implicit biases, and think about how you can take action to combat them.
The History Behind National Grandparents Day
When President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation establishing National Grandparents Day in 1978, it was a hard-won achievement for aging advocate Marian McQuade.
Postmenopausal Symptoms and Hormone Replacement Therapy
Dr. Tracey Banks is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and the founder and president of Adriatica Women’s Health in McKinney, Texas. The all-female practice of four physicians, three midwives and three nurse practitioners just celebrated its 20th anniversary in the North Dallas area. But these days, Dr. Banks focuses most of her care on older women and less on delivering babies.
An Intergenerational Approach to Senior Care
A 2018 report from Generations United and the Eisner Foundation stated that there are 105 intergenerational "shared site" programs in the U.S.. Over 2/3 of the programs said that the goal of their intergenerational program was to "promote positive intergenerational relationships, improve attitudes toward elders and youth and support the health and development of participants."
Free CEU Webinar: Supporting the Elder LGBT Community
With concerns about their safety and quality of care, many LGBT elders must choose to hide their gender identity and/or sexual orientation to survive in the healthcare system. Paul Blom, owner of Right at Home Greater Twin Cities, has been a part of training over 13,000 senior service providers in Minnesota and across the country on caring for LGBT older adults.
The Evolution of Senior Living
We spoke with Martin Siefering to find out how are senior service providers, as well as the architecture and design industry, responding to the changing needs and expectations of the boomer generation.
Highlights of 2019's The State of Senior Living Survey
Perkins Eastman, a global architecture firm with a practice dedicated to senior living, completed its fourth biennial survey on the state of senior living in America. The results were published in “The State of Senior Living: An Industry Grappling with Autonomy,” which aimed to take a “final glimpse of the industry before the end of the decade and [serve as a] witness to the impact of the leading edge of the Boomers—the fading of the silent generation and the technological transformation of everyday living.”
Proverbs and Sayings About Old Age and Wisdom
Today, aging is still considered a sign of experience and wisdom in many cultures across the planet. We bring you poignant proverbs and sayings about old age from some these people groups.
The Hidden Costs of Burials
The median cost for a funeral, including the basics of a casket, funeral service, embalming, professional fee service and transfer of the remains, ran about $7,500 in 2017. The hidden costs of burials can scare the life out of anyone who is not prepared for the final bill when a loved one passes.
Common Health Issues in Older Adults
How can seniors ward off the common health issues of aging and remain healthy overall in later life? Are certain declines in health inevitable or actually preventable? We came up with five age-related health changes in older adults and prevention measures for each condition.
Differences Between In-Home Care Services
When an older loved one or adult with a disability needs caring support at home, it can feel daunting to know which professional care services are best. Who can help with bathing and meals? Is a registered nurse needed for wound care? Can hospice care happen at home?
Air Travel Tips for Seniors With Health and Mobility Issues
At Right at Home, we believe that age or disability should not be a hindrance to travel. If you are considering longer-distance adventures with a loved one who has health or mobility issues, here are a few air travel tips and advice we have for you.
Arthritis Prevention and Care Tips
Anyone of any age can get arthritis—the Arthritis Foundation says that about 300,000 babies and children have arthritis or a rheumatic condition—but the joint disease becomes more common with age. The CDC states that from 2013 to 2015, almost half of people age 65 and older in the U.S. reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
Retail Market’s New Niche: Aging Baby Boomers
AARP notes that the over-50 demographic, known as the longevity market, accounts for $7.6 trillion in economic activity. By 2030, when more than one in three Americans will be age 50, what will the upsurge in retail products and services include?
The Thyroid and Aging
Fatigue, change in mood, hair and nail changes, weight changes, and memory issues. Sound like signs of aging? Maybe not. These could also be signs of a malfunctioning thyroid—a condition that can be mistaken for other reasons in older adults.
The Holiday Season: End Social Isolation Among Seniors
A May 2018 Forbes article highlighting the government report, “2017 Profile of Older Americans,” finds that 50 million Americans are age 65 or above. Of these older adults, about 14 percent of them live alone, and twice as many women as men in this age range live by themselves. Of American women over age 75, nearly half of them live alone. The year-end holiday season is often dreaded by many of these solo seniors who are just not up for the upbeat socializing and yuletide festivities.
Older Driver Safety Awareness Week
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) sponsors Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, which aims to help keep seniors more active, healthy and safe when they are behind the wheel. By keeping seniors on the road, rates of isolation, loneliness and depression can be reduced.
Keeping Older Loved Ones Warm in Winter
Prevention of cold exposure to seniors takes precautionary measures before winter sets in and ongoing observation by family members, caregivers and those familiar with the older loved one’s health and living environment.
Compassionate End-of-Life Care for Chinese Americans
“In America, most families will honor the individual wishes of an elder as they age, but Chinese families don’t operate that way,” says Stokes. “A Chinese family makes a decision as a unit, which ultimately might not be what the senior wants. Chinese people don’t talk about end-of-life care, but we want to change that.”
10 Frequently Asked Questions for Gerontologists
"A gerontologist looks at the big picture. So where are you having some challenges? Are there some things that might be missing from your life that we could help recover or restore? What can we do to help you maintain your connection to community? We come up with services and resources that allow people to age with dignity," Dr. Julie Masters explains.
U.S. Vacations for Seniors With Limited Mobility
You have reached your senior years and now have more time for vacations, but your limited mobility is a concern. With some advance planning and the tips we share here, you can leisurely travel most anywhere in the United States.
5 Things to Consider About Aging in Place
Aging in place is a lifestyle—a way of living that allows you to remain in your home throughout life as long as possible. Many people don’t realize that on any given day, what was once easy for us to do may suddenly become harder and more time-consuming.
10 Frequently Asked Questions for Certified Aging in Place Specialists
With remodeling, when people hear “aging,” they think “old.” They wonder if the home modifications are going to look institutional like the large steel-looking grab bars or raised commode in a public restroom. They think of what a hospital or nursing home looks like. But home remodeling today is nowhere near that. The products, the style, the designs are awesome and they fit in any home style. You’ll never even know the design is clinical, ever.
How Men Can Be More Proactive With Their Health
Most guys find it easy to discuss sports or vent about work. But talk about their health? Nope, that’s not happening, well, at least not for the majority of men, reports a Cleveland Clinic men’s health survey. What keeps you or other men you know from talking about your health?
Caregiver Raises Awareness for Huntington’s Disease
Kim Schirrman, an award-winning caregiver for Right at Home on Long Island, had never heard of Huntington’s disease before meeting her husband & his family in 1995. Today, Kim & her family are actively involved with the Huntington's Disease Society of America, raising awareness for this rarely known disease.
Life Hacks That Help Boomers Age in Place
Life hacks refer to things that make your life a little bit easier. Learned from the collective wisdom of the internet, here are 6 life hacks that can help boomers age in place.
10 Most Frequently Asked Questions for Geriatric Nurses
“When people first return home from the hospital, they need a lot of education and help to ensure they don’t relapse and return to the hospital,” says Barbara Madison, Registered Nurse. “Geriatric nurses try to set them up for success.”
Fighting Parkinson’s With Boxing
Study found that boxing can help Parkinson's patients improve gait and balance. Are you ready to knock out Parkinson's?
Caregiving for a Parent Drew Siblings Closer Together
Navigating parental conflict, such as a divorce, or the death of a parent can actually reinforce the strength of sibling relationships. For one son who lost a parent to cancer, “If anything, the devastating diagnosis brought me and my siblings closer together.”
Spring Cleaning to Reduce Fall Risks
Spring is when everything starts to come alive again. The sluggish energy from winter moves out, and there’s a vibrant spirit of rejuvenation in the air. This is the time for a fresh look around to see what moved in during our winter hibernation. And do you know what many of us will find?
Clutter!
10 Frequently Asked Questions for Registered Dietitians
As a 20-year registered dietitian, Amy Mack fields a full menu of questions about food and the latest trending diets. As co-owner of the Right at Home office in Hudson Valley, New York, alongside her husband Scott Teresi, Amy understands the challenges of fueling the body as people age.
Calling All Women: Be Proactive to Protect Your Health
Find out more about the top 5 women's health concerns (e.g. osteoporosis, heart & autoimmune diseases) and why women should take charge of their own health.
Evacuating Elderly During Disasters
In August 2017, the people of Kingwood, Texas, and the rest of the greater Houston area were bracing for a storm. While no one was able to predict the devastation that ultimately befell the community, people tried to prepare as best they could while going about their daily lives. But even a hurricane could not prevent Lori from caring for her client.
5 Books on Caring for Aging Parents and Grandparents
Seeking help and support is vital to caregivers. Many of us find reading stories from other caregivers helpful to understand and prepare for caregiving duties. Based on popularity and ratings on Goodreads and Amazon books, we have shortlisted five books and graphic novels that depict the challenges of caring for seniors, and the coping strategies these authors employed.
Chronic Pain, Prescribed Opioids and Pain Management
Prescribing opioids for chronic pain remains controversial. What are the treatment alternatives and are there any resources for chronic pain management?