Posted 02/24/2010
How to Care for Yourself While Caring for Others
Bringing “oxygen” to your own life
By Julie Hall
I find it hard to believe there is actually a word in the English language that could possibly describe what caregivers endure. There can’t be. What many experience during the caregiving process is often a deep, emotional shift accompanied by confusion, frustration, and even resentment. Somewhere along the line, you lose yourself, and individuality blurs with the needs of the loved one. Read More >>
Posted 12/23/2009
What to Notice About Your Parents’ Aging
Facing the future
By Juile Hall
Many of us will gather with close family at Christmas and/or New Year’s. You may want to observe your parents, or other close relatives, and note any new signs of the aging process. Some of these signs, if occurring infrequently, are no cause for panic; however, they could mean that your parents need to have someone check on them daily or consider assisted living. Read More >>
Posted 12/14/2009
Sons and Mothers
So why should sons get involved in long-term care?
By Sara Myers
A strange-looking woman, she (I’ll call her Ivy) is tall and lean, with an almost athletic posture. She wears a large neck brace that was probably designed to keep her head from totally flopping over. In fact, without the brace, it looks as if her head might fall off. At one time in her life, Ivy was probably very attractive, but not now. I heard it had something to do with a medication reaction. Read More >>
Posted 12/11/2009
Caregiving in the US 2009 Report Offers Material for Tech Marketers
Caregivers and recipients face challenges--and opportunities
By Laurie Orlov
The new report Caregiving in the U.S. 2009, sponsored by the National Alliance for Caregiving, AARP, and MetLife (and funded by MetLife), is a comprehensive survey of 1,480 caregivers, defined as those age 18 and over who provide unpaid help to another person. The most intriguing aspect of the study is the comparison to the last published version from 2004. Seventy percent of those surveyed care for someone over the age of 50; of these, 66% of the caregivers are female, and their average age has increased from 46 to 49, with the average age of care recipients who are age 75 and older up from 43% to 51%. Average time in the caregiving role is 4.6 years. Read More >>
Posted 11/25/2009
Elder Abuse: Physical and Emotional
Recognize the telltale signs
By Deborah Hoskins, JD, CFP
Caregiver stress may indeed be real, but this does not negate the criminal nature of the offense. After all, society would not tolerate similar actions against children or pets. The victim’s rights and care should be paramount, not the caregiver’s. Read More >>
Posted 11/11/2009
Elder Abuse: Neglect
Help is just a phone call away
By Deborah Hoskins, JD, CFP
The most common form of elder abuse is neglect. Your state’s criminal statutes likely prohibit a pattern of conduct that deprives someone of some necessity for physical or mental health. We all need food, water, shelter, appropriate heating or cooling, and medical services to maintain health. Caregivers who consistently fail to deliver these things are abusers. Read More >>
Posted 10/25/2009
Caregiving Plans
One person’s good idea is another’s disaster in waiting
By Sara Myers
My friend Irene is now in charge of managing care for her mother-in-law. Other family members are in the area, including a son, but the job has gone to Irene. In her typically intelligent fashion, Irene did the research, called the experts, and asked a lot of questions. She gained a good understanding of the process and is prepared for the task. That said, I think she has set up a caregiving situation that, from my perspective, is fraught with problems. Read More >>
Posted 09/14/2009
Whatever You Do, Don’t Do It Alone
Caregivers must reach out to each other
By Sara Myers
A shout out to those who shared their caregiving experiences related to residents’ boredom in long-term care. A few weeks ago, I wrote about my concern for my mother. She receives excellent care but seems quite bored. Not sure what to do, I asked readers to send in their take on the subject and a few suggestions for how they have dealt with the issue. Read More >>
Posted 06/26/2009
Being a Full-time Housewife Isn’t Woman’s Idea of Retirement
Cleaning and cooking all day long
By Elinor Miller Greenberg, EdD
I have spent more than 50 years in the workforce and have successfully pursued a number of careers. I have a bachelor’s, a master’s, and a doctoral degree. I am recognized widely for my work.
Throughout my adult life and marriage, I have worked hard to balance my family and work responsibilities and to provide a model to my children and other women that this difficult juggling task could be accomplished. Although I have kept a beautiful and neat home and prepared many meals, housekeeping was never my favorite activity. Read More >>
Throughout my adult life and marriage, I have worked hard to balance my family and work responsibilities and to provide a model to my children and other women that this difficult juggling task could be accomplished. Although I have kept a beautiful and neat home and prepared many meals, housekeeping was never my favorite activity. Read More >>
Posted 05/26/2009
New Tool Helps Manage Multiple Meds
Identify potential drug interactions
By Patricia Grace
Move over “aging in place” and make room for “polypharmacy,” the newest
buzz phrase in the senior services industry. Polypharmacy generally
refers to the use of multiple medications by a patient, often when they
are not clinically warranted. Many seniors have multiple physicians who
might not be aware of all the medications each patient is taking. When
a new prescription is written without that knowledge, harmful drug
interactions or changes in effectiveness could occur.
Polypharmacy is most common among people over age 65. Approximately one-fifth of them take at least 10 medications a week. The Institute of Medicine estimates that at least 1.5 million adverse drug events occur in the United States every year, thousands of them fatal. Studies indicate that about one-third of these drug reactions among senior citizens—and 42% of serious, life-threatening, or fatal events—are preventable.
Read More >>
Polypharmacy is most common among people over age 65. Approximately one-fifth of them take at least 10 medications a week. The Institute of Medicine estimates that at least 1.5 million adverse drug events occur in the United States every year, thousands of them fatal. Studies indicate that about one-third of these drug reactions among senior citizens—and 42% of serious, life-threatening, or fatal events—are preventable.
Read More >>


