When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, most family members’ first thoughts are anger or sadness—not how they’ll pay for their loved one’s care. Unfortunately, this means many families are unprepared for the financial burden of memory care. As your loved one’s condition progresses, it will become clear how expensive it can be to get your loved
Handling Resistance from Loved Ones While Moving into Memory Care
There are few things tougher than coming to terms with transitioning your loved one to a memory care facility, but you’re not alone. Memory care is a 24-hour, long-term residential care solution for older adults who are suffering from progressive memory loss diseases, like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. When your loved one’s memory declines to the point that
Downsizing Tips for Moving into Assisted Living
Transitioning your loved one from their long-term home to an assisted living facility or memory care unit can be difficult. It’s understandable that many older adults find this transition scary and overwhelming—not only are they moving out of their familiar home, but assisted living or memory care apartments are typically smaller than their previous home. Downsizing is an essential part
Easing the Transition to Assisted Living or Memory Care
For aging adults, fear and anxiety often surround the transition to assisted living, especially memory care. While memory care offers distinct benefits for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, older adults often worry about making friends, adjusting to their new living space, and not seeing their family as often. After you’ve had the conversation about your loved one moving to an
The Importance of Occupational Therapy
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic pain, or adjusting to life with a disability, resuming daily activities can be difficult. In these cases, an occupational therapist can help you adapt to new routines and make it easier to perform tasks related to your job, school, housework, and more. Depending on the patient’s condition, pain level, or disability,
How to Plan for Long Term Care
As we reach older adulthood, we may begin to struggle with daily activities and chores that used to be second nature. Some people may only need long-term care for a few months, while others may need it for a few years, or longer. Although long-term care can be provided at home by family and friends, there are other options, too,
Mental Health for Older Adults
Mental health awareness is important for people of every age. However, it’s especially important to spread awareness about mental health problems in older adults. As we age, we have an increased risk of developing neurological disorders, mental disorders, substance use problems, or other significant health issues, like diabetes and osteoarthritis. As we get older, it’s possible we may develop several
The Best Ways for Older Adults to Stay Active
Exercising is a key part of living a healthy lifestyle. There are so many benefits associated with exercise, and taking advantage of those benefits becomes even more essential as we get older. No matter your age, the best exercise for you is the one that you enjoy. There will always be reasons that make you hesitate to stay active, whether
The Difference Between Nursing Homes and Assisted Living
It can be difficult to choose between nursing homes or assisted living facilities for a loved one, especially if they require residential care. All senior living homes are different; there is no universal approach for aging loved ones. Many people think of “nursing homes” and “assisted living” as synonyms. However, these two terms aren’t as similar as they used to
The Benefits of Gardening and Houseplants for Seniors
Growing gardens and tending to plants can provide many benefits. The primary benefits of gardening for seniors are the feelings of accomplishment and independence. Gardening can even improve mental health. Sometimes, however, whole gardens are not always the best idea for seniors due to space or abilities. In these situations, a smaller solution is required. Improve the Air Quality