Independence in later life isn’t luck. Research on longevity and healthy aging points to a consistent set of daily habits that show up again and again in people who stay active, sharp, and self-sufficient well into their 80s and 90s. None of these habits require major life changes. They’re small, repeatable choices that add up.
When a loved one is living with memory loss, the home environment can either create calm or increase confusion. A “calming corner” is a designated space designed to reduce sensory overload and offer comfort, physically and emotionally. Why Create One? Changes in routine or overstimulation can trigger anxiety in those with Alzheimer’s or other forms
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and caregivers deserve some extra kindness – especially to themselves! Juggling someone else’s needs can feel overwhelming, so here are a few down‑to‑earth ways to protect your own well‑being while you care for others. 1. Live Out Loud The Wine, Women & Dementia campaign reminds caregivers that sharing stories
When a family member is bed-bound or living in a care facility, either just for a few weeks or long term, it’s especially hard during the holiday season. You want to spend quality time together, go to seasonal activities like church, shopping, and tree lightings, and share in the merriment and light the season is
As the holiday season approaches, most people are focused on the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, and family gatherings. It’s easy to forget that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, levels of stress and depression increase for many Americans, including seniors. According to the National Institute on Aging, risk factors for depression among elders
Have you ever noticed the striking resemblance between a tree’s limbs and our lungs? What a powerful –and apt image. No different from their human counterparts, trees “breathe” in the carbon dioxide we breathe out in a near-perfect cycle of breath. This connection through biology is Nature writ large and a simple example of how
Despite the elderly population’s increased risk for COVID-19 associated complications and mortality, less than four in 10 nursing home staff accepted immunization when offered, February data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealed. “Residents and staff members in long-term care facilities, particularly skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), are at increased risk for COVID-19–associated morbidity and
In August of 2020 – amid the height of senior care communities’ visitation restrictions – the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released its survey of COVID-19’s psychological and emotional impact. The findings discuss the challenges of balancing mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Survey findings reported that anxiety disorder symptoms were about three times those
In times of trouble, it can be tremendously difficult to see the forest through that thick stand of trees – giant leafy Southern Oaks if you’re “down South” like us. Mix in a pandemic with the natural bumpy road called Life, and those happy feelings can get lost in the exhaust –and exhaustion. But maybe
