Senior Independence

What’s your first thought when you see an individual in a wheelchair? Do you view that person as less-than, someone in need of being fixed? Do you assume they need special treatment, as though a physical disability impacts intellect as well? How does your thinking shift to see someone standing upright, without the need for a wheelchair; would you think they were better-abled than the wheelchair-bound older adult?

These are tough questions that call for honest answers if we’re to understand and respond accordingly to hidden disabilities in seniors and ableism.

What Is Ableism?

Ableism is identified as “the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior.” It leads to harmful misconceptions and stereotypes.

The Two Sides of the Disability Coin

Individuals with visible disabilities encounter ableism in many … Read More »

Supporting mental health in aging parents starts with recognizing the signs and addressing the stigma around mental health care.

Mental health is a critical aspect of well-being throughout life, and it becomes even more significant as our parents grow older. For many older adults, however, talking about mental health can be especially difficult due to ingrained stigmas and the values they were raised with. It’s important to understand why older loved ones might be hesitant to discuss mental health and to recognize the signs that they might be struggling. This knowledge can guide you in supporting mental health in aging parents to ensure they receive the support and care they need.

Uncover the reason behind restlessness in dementia in someone you love by answering these key questions.

Pacing. Fidgeting. Wandering. When you begin to notice these signs in someone you love with dementia, it’s time to take action before they escalate to agitation, aggression, or leaving the home. But figuring out why the person is feeling restless in dementia is sometimes half the battle.

Try these creative ideas to improve socialization for introverted seniors.

Prepare yourself…the holidays will be here before we know it! Although there are plenty of people who flourish on the hectic pace of celebrations and parties, there are others who balk at the thought of going outside of their comfort zone and into more intensive social obligations. It may simply come down to one integral difference: introversion vs. extroversion. And it is important to know which distinction the seniors in your life lean towards more. Socialization for introverted seniors is just as important as for extroverted seniors, and finding the right type of socialization to help them feel most comfortable is key.

The benefits of hugs for seniors may surprise you!

Remember during the height of the pandemic, when social distancing was the norm and we needed to be satisfied with virtual visits? One of the most basic aspects of being a human – physical touch – was put aside in order to protect us all from harm.

If there’s one thing that connects us all, it’s food! Think about how many cherished memories have been made through the years that included food at the center of them all: holiday meals, birthday parties, wedding celebrations. Even ordinary days include routines that become ingrained in us around food, from that first aromatic cup of coffee in the morning to a shared bowl of buttery popcorn with family while watching a show on television.

It really is no surprise that food is not just a necessity for our physical health, but often a powerful way to connect with someone with dementia. Here are several creative dementia care activities you can try to help spark memories while engaging all the senses through food.

Storytelling. Pull out an old cookbook and look through the recipes together to determine if any spark memories. … Read More »

When a parent refuses care, these tips can help you come to a resolution.

Let’s say you’re starting to notice some warning signs that cause you to worry about Dad’s ability to continue to take care of himself. Perhaps he’s struggling to maintain the home the way he always has. Or maybe he had a close call while driving that could have caused injury to himself or another person. Maybe he just seems more disoriented lately. Whatever the reason, you’ve decided to talk with him about home care services. The problem is, he refuses to even entertain the idea. What are you to do when a parent refuses care that they desperately need?

If you’re at an impasse on how to proceed, these ideas can be helpful.

Let him know you’re in this together. Digging in your heels and … Read More »

Help improve memory for someone you love with dementia with these proven tactics.

Remember memorizing the order of the colors of the rainbow in elementary school? A lot of us were introduced to Roy G. Biv to learn this feat – one of the many mnemonics we learn that, interestingly, often stay with us for a lifetime and help us improve memory.

As we get older, some degree of memory impairment is to be anticipated; and naturally it is even more pronounced when Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia is a factor. Researchers are continually aiming to find effective methods to enhance memory and cognitive functioning, and have discovered some interesting findings on “old school” strategies such as mnemonics. Here’s what they have most recently identified:

Mnemonics

Mnemonics provides a link to a memory through a song, … Read More »

Seniors with dementia can benefit from downsizing.

It’s clear that the family home is just too overwhelming for Mom and Dad to care for. A small home is for sale just around the corner from you that’s ideal: a beautiful flower garden in the front yard, a sunny, cheerful kitchen, and no stairs to navigate. Now it is time to begin the downsizing process. The only problem? Mom has dementia.

Any level of change can be very challenging for a senior with dementia. Leaving the familiarity of home and moving into a brand new one can enhance feelings of anxiety and agitation, but there are strategies to ease the transition.

Take your time. It can be your natural thought to make this process as quick as possible – like ripping off a band-aid. However, a much better approach in … Read More »

Improve communication with someone you love by learning what people with Alzheimer’s want you to know.

If you’ve ever wished you could look a senior with dementia in the eye and understand exactly what they’re thinking, we just might be able to help you with that! Communicating effectively with someone with dementia isn’t easy, especially as the disease progresses. Following are several statements provided by people with Alzheimer’s to give you some insight into what it feels like to live with the disease.

You haven’t lost me. A diagnosis of dementia does impact a person in many ways, but it doesn’t change the essence of who they are. “I love the same people and doing the same things I did before my diagnosis,” explains Dale Rivard. It’s essential to recognize that while memory and cognitive abilities may decline, the … Read More »