you have a friend or someone else in your life who’s a family caregiver, it’s safe to assume you have the best of intentions whenever you have a chance to talk. Still, there may be times when your well-intended comments could come off in an entirely unintended way. Avoid awkward situations by being mindful of the following things you shouldn’t say to a family caregiver. “You Look Really Tired” This comment may come off as insulting or serve as a reminder of an especially challenging day with an older loved one. Asking “How are you doing?” is a better option, since it leaves the answer up to the person you’re asking. “I Don’t Know How You Even Do It” This…
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By Chris Cruse, 9:00 am on August 7, 2020
Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs 24-hour care, Des Moines, IA, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help…
By Chris Cruse, 9:00 am on July 31, 2020
Cognitive decline may occur naturally or secondary to a disease process. However, researchers have determined that despite age, older adults’ brains maintain the ability to learn and increase communication pathways between neurons. Family members may take an active role in preserving or boosting the cognitive health of an older loved…
By Chris Cruse, 9:00 am on July 24, 2020
A lot of people worry about aging because our society tends to make it seem like a boring time filled with health problems and discomfort. However, the reality is that the golden years can be one of the best times of someone’s life. There are several misconceptions about aging, and…
By Chris Cruse, 9:00 am on July 17, 2020
People who were “good” in terms of their lifestyle habits earlier in life tend to be healthy seniors. Even if this doesn’t exactly describe your aging loved one, it’s never too late to be proactive about health-related matters in a way that’s beneficial for quality of life. Remind your loved…
By Chris Cruse, 9:00 am on July 10, 2020
While many older adults are perfectly capable of managing their own medical appointments, there may be times when this isn’t the case. If you’ve reached a point where it’s clear you should be more informed and directly involved so you can provide better care for your older loved one at…
By Chris Cruse, 9:00 am on June 26, 2020
Some people consider aging to simply be a state of mind, and others go by how the mind and body naturally change over time. In broader terms, aging can be broken down into three distinct and often related categories: biological aging, psychological aging, and social aging. Here’s a closer look…
By Chris Cruse, 9:00 am on June 19, 2020
“Dementia” is an umbrella term that includes many different types of the condition, with the most common one being Alzheimer’s disease. As far as making a diagnosis of dementia goes, it’s often a process of elimination and a steady narrowing down of possibilities based on results from various tests and…
By Chris Cruse, 9:00 am on June 12, 2020
More than 5.5 million adults over the age of 65 are afflicted with Alzheimer’s in the United States. Though the disorder is now frequently diagnosed, it wasn’t discovered until the early 20th century. Researchers have made great strides in understanding how the disease process develops in an attempt to find…
By Chris Cruse, 9:00 am on June 5, 2020
Advancing into the golden years doesn’t mean seniors automatically experience cognitive and physical deterioration. The majority of older adults live happy, healthy lives. Health-conscious seniors can adopt a number of daily habits to ensure ongoing vitality. 1. Eat Properly Older adults need to adhere to healthy food regimens. The body…