Are you feeling unsure about what to get for a loved one living with dementia this holiday season? What about a caregiver in your life? Choosing the right gift may feel challenging, but thoughtful choices can make a meaningful difference. Gifts that engage the senses, spark memory, and encourage connection can bring joy, comfort, and meaningful interaction with loved ones. Here are a few ideas to spark creativity! For a person living with dementia: *Warmies microwaveable and

Daylight Saving Time can have severe effects on people with dementia. Here’s how you can soften the impact, and help your loved one during this time. Daylight Saving Time (DST) can significantly impact individuals with dementia, making it crucial to understand how to mitigate its effects and support your loved one during this period. DST disrupts everyone's internal clock. While losing an hour in spring can cause tiredness and gaining an hour in winter may increase irritabili

I am often asked about the role of an Aging Life Care Manager and how it differs from other professionals providing services to seniors. An Aging Life Care Manager is committed to assisting clients in aging well, while also enhancing the quality of life for clients and their family members. This stage of a family’s journey can be complex. Family caregivers often experience significant stress—physically, mentally, and financially. Those who wish to assist may reside far away.

As the temperature drops, it’s important to ensure that seniors stay safe, warm, and healthy this winter. Here are some helpful tips to make the season easier to navigate: 1. Stay Warm Indoors: Keep the thermostat set to at least 68°F (20°C) to avoid hypothermia. Layer up with cozy clothing and blankets! 2. Dress Smart for Outdoors: If venturing outside, wear a hat, gloves, scarf, and layers to protect against the cold. Non-slip boots are essential for icy conditions. 3. Prev

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines Aging in Place as: “the ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.” Aging in place promotes life satisfaction, a positive quality of life, and self-esteem —all of which are needed to remain happy, healthy, and well into older adult life. According to AARP , a 2021 survey  showed that “more than three-quarters of U.S. adults age

These strategies were adapted from the Family Caregiver Alliance, and as a family caregiver myself, I find them to be straightforward and applicable to the situation. As caregivers, we often use intuition to help us decide what to do. No one ever gave us lessons on how to relate to someone with memory loss. Unfortunately, dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is counterintuitive- often the right thing to do is exactly opposite what seems like the right thing to

In honor of #OlderAmericansMonth, I asked two of my favorite older adults for their wisdom and tips for aging well. At 101 years young, Jim stated “keep active- both physically and mentally!” Lucy, at almost 97, agreed and added “keep walking”. She also stated that she “had thought that being older/retired meant sitting in a rocking chair, and that’s not for me!” Both of them kept busy after retirement, volunteering for many years up until the pandemic. They both emphasized t

According to statistics, approximately 44 million people – typically adult children or spouses who may also be older with health issues – provide unpaid assistance and support for their relatives and friends. Those who provide this unpaid assistance are generally referred to as “informal” or family caregivers and they now serve as the backbone of the American system of long-term care for the elder population and those with disabilities. Although informal caregivers are the ba