If you have a loved one with glaucoma, you can help them adjust to the challenges of low vision. It’s important to learn as much as possible about the condition to provide supportive, caring and practical help. This guide can help. According to the Bright Focus Foundation (brighfocus.org), although it may be difficult for your loved one to ask for…
The three most common eye conditions that tend to arise later in life are cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. This article from U.S. News and World Report takes a look at each of them and how to care for aging eyes. For most of us, hitting age 40 signals a time of change with regard to several aspects of our…
Glaucoma is the cause of about 10% of total blindness in the U.S. and many of the people affected are seniors. It’s important to get ahead of the disease before severe vision loss and blindness occur. This article from the National Council for Aging Care looks at the different types of glaucoma, as well as prevention and treatment. The American…
One of the challenges in caring for someone with dementia can be bathing time and establishing a bathing routine. It’s common for dementia patients to resist taking a bath or shower for a variety of reasons, including: not liking the sensation of water, modesty, feeling cold, disorientation due to the hard surfaces and monotone color of the bathroom and thinking…
Helping a person with dementia maintain their appearance provides a sense of self-esteem. However, as dementia progresses beyond the early stages, dementia patients may not remember how to dress and can become overwhelmed and frustrated with the choices. They may also forget simple personal hygiene activities, such as how to comb hair, clip fingernails or shave. Toileting may also become…
This is the first in a series of articles on tips for caring for someone with dementia. If you are caring for someone with dementia, you may have noticed that mealtimes and simple activities around the house can be particularly challenging. As their dementia progresses, they may become confused and uncoordinated at mealtime, refuse to open their mouth, spit out…
Has your loved one ever felt dizzy, lightheaded or had a spinning sensation? If the feeling happens often, it could be the sign of a balance problem. This article from the National Institute on Aging discusses this common disorder among seniors. Balance problems are among the most common reasons that older adults seek help from a doctor. They are often…
If you want to craft a battle plan to prevent colds, you don't have to think long and hard about it. Just remember three simple words: Wash your hands! There's no secret in why that works. It's all due to the way colds spread. How You Get Infected The main way colds get passed around is when someone who's sick…
AgingCare's website, the holidays are a time for family get-togethers and activities. During this year’s holiday gatherings, it’s a good time to look for warning signs that an older loved one may need some extra help. Here are several red flags to watch out for. According to a study conducted by the National Alliance of Caregiving in collaboration with AARP,…
According to CDC.gov, it has been recognized for many years that people 65 years and older are at high risk of developing serious complications from flu compared with young, healthy adults. This is in part because human immune defenses become weaker with increasing age. While flu seasons can vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear…
