As your parents grow older, your relationship with them may change. You may view each other more as friends rather than child and parents, and you may develop a better understanding of each other. However, many adult children report they regret not spending more time with their senior parents. Here are some reasons you should get to know your parents…
Not every senior ends up with serious health issues, but general wear and tear, diminished immunity, and reduced physical strength can cause some illnesses to develop. Make sure to keep an eye out for these common types of senior health issues to help your senior loved one remain healthy. Cardiovascular Disease This leading cause of illness among seniors encompasses a…
Recent research from Washington University in St. Louis found that sudden weight loss could predict a person would be diagnosed with dementia within a year. This early sign of dementia seems to occur because many seniors with dementia experience a loss of appetite that keeps them from eating enough food. Though appetite loss is fairly common in seniors with dementia,…
As your parent ages, he or she may face some difficult situations. Daily tasks like doing laundry and cooking aren’t as easy for your senior loved one as they used to be, and running errands or getting to appointments may seem almost impossible. The idea of moving your parent out of his or her home and into a facility makes…
It can be challenging to watch a parent grow older, especially when health problems become an issue. One of the most important things family members can do is learn how to communicate effectively and respectfully with their senior loved ones. Here are a few tips that will help you enhance the conversations you have with your loved one. Listen Carefully …
At-home respite care is a service available for both seniors and family caregivers who need professional assistance. Although respite care is used for many different reasons, one of the major motivations is to give family caregivers a break. While having someone new in the house does require some adjustments, you may find yourself wondering how you ever lived without respite…
In addition to compromising motor skills, Parkinson’s can also affect emotional health and stability. This disease impacts the production of important chemicals in the brain, often leading to a wide variety of behavioral and psychological problems. Here’s a closer look at six of the most common emotional effects of Parkinson’s and some steps that can be taken to combat these…
Family caregivers should be aware of some of the health concerns the elderly females in their lives could be at risk for. Here’s a list of some serious complications your aging loved one should be getting screened for on a regular basis. Osteoporosis After menopause, a woman’s bone density can decrease due to the loss of estrogen. This can lead…
Though experiencing stress from time to time is normal, it’s important for seniors to manage these feelings so their health isn’t impacted. When your senior loved one becomes stressed, it can increase his or her odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Here are a few of the possible connections between the two conditions. Cortisol Stress causes the levels of cortisol released…
While dementia and Alzheimer's have significant overlap, they aren’t synonymous. In fact, Alzheimer's is only one of the many types of dementia. Ahead, learn about the differences between dementia and Alzheimer's. What Is Dementia? The term "dementia" doesn't refer to a specific disorder. Instead, it refers to a group of disorders that share similar symptoms. Dementia is technically a syndrome…
