Senior Safety

Looking for little changes in an older parent’s life is key to ensuring they’re receiving the right level of care and preventing serious problems.

Aging rarely announces itself all at once. More often, it shows up in pieces, a small change here, a minor adjustment there. When you think back over the past year with a parent, the standout moments might be a holiday visit or a medical appointment. But the shifts that deserve your attention usually live in the in-between times, woven into everyday routines. It’s these changes in an older parent’s life that you need to begin to pay attention to.

Understanding conditions that mimic dementia can help you find answers and treatments you might not otherwise consider.

When someone you love begins showing symptoms like confusion, memory loss, or difficulty with everyday tasks, it’s natural to fear the worst. Dementia is often the first explanation that comes to mind. But what you might not realize is that there are conditions that mimic dementia, conditions that look almost identical at first glance but may actually be treatable. That means the changes you’re seeing may not be permanent, and the future may be far more hopeful than you think.

Balancing work and caregiving becomes easier when you have the right tools, support, and mindset.

Balancing work and caregiving can feel like a tug-of-war between two parts of your identity: your career, which you’ve spent years building, and your role as a son or daughter, which comes with deep love and responsibility. Most of us don’t realize how intertwined these roles are until a new reality begins to emerge: a parent who suddenly needs support, supervision, or hands-on help at home. The shift may be subtle at first – missed medications, difficulty getting around, small safety concerns – until one day it becomes clear that more consistent assistance is needed. And that’s when the real worry sets in: How am I supposed to manage all of this? Do I have to choose between the job I love and … Read More »

Caregiving conflict in blended families often improves when the focus shifts to shared goals.

Caring for someone you love comes with big emotions, even in families that have been connected for decades. When a second marriage, step-family relationships, or a blended household is part of your story, those emotions can multiply quickly. Each person brings different experiences, different communication styles, and sometimes different ideas of what “the right thing” looks like, which can lead to caregiving conflict in blended families.

And when care needs come up suddenly, all of those differences show up at once. Decisions need to be made quickly. Everyone wants to help, but not everyone agrees on how. It can feel messy, overwhelming, or even tense when the roles aren’t clear and the past starts influencing the present.

If you’re in this situation, the good … Read More »

Having a parent with Parkinson’s means learning to adapt and grow in ways you may have never expected.

Having a parent with Parkinson’s disease changes life in ways you never quite expect. The diagnosis changes routines, relationships, and even the way you think about time. At first, it may feel overwhelming. There are so many questions and fears about what the future will look like. Yet, alongside those challenges come unexpected lessons. People who have been there often find themselves developing greater strength, resilience, and compassion than they ever thought possible.

Don’t let the fear of falling in older adults hold back someone you love from living life to the fullest!

Aging brings wisdom, perspective, and cherished memories—but it can also bring new worries. One of the most common concerns is the fear of falling in older adults. While understandable, this fear can quietly steal independence, limit activity, and lead to feelings of isolation. In fact, many people avoid walking outdoors, exercising, or even socializing because they worry about losing their balance.

We’re LIVE!

Join us today from 9 to 3 at the MARIN SENIOR FAIR! Meet tons of Community Partners, and learn about a myriad of services and products focused specifically on our Senior Community. The event is FREE, with lots of food, entertainment and prizes! And there’s also air conditioning! Stop by the Hired Hands Homecare booth to say HI – hope to see you there!
Get the details at https://2025.marinseniorfair.org/

Senior sleep patterns normally shift in aging, but there are some exceptions you’ll need to be aware of.

Ever wonder why Dad falls asleep in the recliner before dinner, then wakes up at 3 a.m. ready to reorganize the garage? Or why Mom suddenly insists on a 7 p.m. bedtime but still wakes up groggy?

Boredom in dementia can lead to agitation and anxiety, but the right activities spark joy and connection.

Some pairings just make sense: mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, cozy socks and chilly mornings. But boredom in dementia? That’s a combination no one wants. The effects can go far beyond a quiet moment of restlessness. Studies show that a lack of meaningful stimulation can lead to increased hallucinations, agitation, wandering, anxiety, depression, and even delirium. And it’s not just the person with dementia who suffers; boredom can also affect you as the caregiver, increasing the risk of burnout, sadness, and emotional fatigue.

The good news? Boredom isn’t inevitable. It’s preventable. And often, it takes just a few creative adjustments to turn a long, difficult day into one filled with connection and calm.

The Root of Restlessness

When someone … Read More »

Choosing the best adaptive clothing for seniors helps preserve comfort, confidence, and independence.

You might not think twice about what it takes to get yourself dressed each morning, but if you’re helping someone with arthritis, limited mobility, or other health challenges, you know it’s often not that simple. The best adaptive clothing for seniors is imperative to make life easier and restore a sense of independence, dignity, and control.