Did you know that about 50% of all marriages in America will end in divorce? This is an astounding figure, especially when you consider the impact of changing family dynamics on caregiving. Consider this: a good friend of mine, in addition to her mother and father, is very close with her step-mother and step-father. She is also very close to three out of her five aunts and uncles, who are also divorced and re-married. Neither of her step-parents have children of their own. Granted, my friend is only in her twenties, but think about years down the road; if three of her four parents fall ill, she and her siblings will have a lot to think about.
And, thus, the new challenges of family caregiving are illustrated. The New Old Age, a New York Times blog about issues related to aging parents, wrote a piece in August about this very topic in August: "It adds another layer of complexity to an already complex and emotional situation," said Suzanne Mintz, president of the National Family Caregivers Association. Now, does this mean that there's no hope for these families? Absolutely not. Here are some things to consider ahead of time to ensure optimal preparedness:
- Consider your role. What role will you play if it is your father versus your step-father who needs care? Will there be a difference in roles?
- Talk to your aging family members. Have a dialogue about what they expect.
- Make a tentative game plan. A lot can change between now and then, but it's always good to play out the possible scenarios with family members.
The U.S. Census Bureau indicates that in 1960, about 4 percent of people over 60 were currently divorced or separated; by 2000, the proportion had climbed to more than 9 percent of men and 10 percent of women. That was almost 10 years ago, and this phenomenon will undoubtedly continue to grow along with divorce rates and the number of people turning 65. Can you think of other considerations for providing elder care to parents, step-parents and other family members? Or perhaps you have a story to share and advice to give - share now!
Adults, seniors, men, women - patients from just about every walk of life can and do develop chronic heart disease, a condition in which it is increasingly difficult for the heart to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. A new study has indicated what we've seen for years - given they are seeking the appropriate treatment for their condition, patients with chronic heart disease fare better at home versus the hospital.
According to U.S and World Report, an estimated five million North Americans suffer from the disease, and this number is undoubtedly to the growing prevalence of obesity and diabetes. In the United States, worsening chronic heart failure is the cause of more than one million hospital admissions a year, and patients have a 50 percent risk of readmission within six months of discharge, according to the authors of a study published in the Sept. 28 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
We want to hear from you! What are the greatest factors contributing this finding? Why do heart disease patients benefit from being treated in their homes rather than the hospital?
The job of a caregiver can be rewarding and challenging, all in the same day! Adult children who take on the responsibility of providing elder care for their aging parents come to mind - juggling work and your own family in addition to caring for a parent with declining health can be quite an undertaking. Continued support is a key factor to promoting a healthy, efficient relationship between a caregiver and the person they are caring for. We are huge advocates of leveraging local resources whenever possible and finding time for yourself.
People who are emotionally and physically exhausted or guilt-ridden cannot provide good care. You may be taking care of a loved one 24 hours a day or you may be stopping at a nursing home every day after work to visit a relative. If you have multiple responsibilities you may find yourself feeling resentful toward the person to whom you are devoting so much time. According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, as a caregiver, you should neither expect-nor try-to be on-call 24 hours a day. Every caregiver needs respite and relief. There are a variety of support systems available in most communities, including but not limited to:
- Mail-carrier alert program
- Meal programs
- Home health aides
- Homemakers
- Grocery delivery services
- Occupational, speech and physical therapists
- Social workers
- Respite care caregivers
- Sitters
- Nutritionists
Many caregivers may also find it helpful to share the responsibility with other members of the family. Have a family pow-wow to create a game plan and write out a schedule. Be sure to take into consideration that different people have different capacities (use the "20 Questions Every Family Caregiver Should Ask" ebook to guide your planning - get it here). Dividing responsibilities associated with caring for a loved one can be beneficial in a number of ways-giving the person receiving care an opportunity to spend time with loved ones, allowing family members to contribute in a way that they are comfortable with (i.e. a grandchild who is an accountant can be responsible for her grandpa's finances), but most importantly in giving caregivers a necessary break that all parties involved will appreciate.
Are you a caregiver? What are some things that you do to give yourself a break? Share them here!
Scamming has become so prevalent in society that popular talk show hosts Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Phil have dedicated
entire segments to the topic! Scammers will stop at nothing to get what they want, and seniors and the disabled are common prey for scam artists. Arm yourself with one of the best tools to combat scammer: knowledge. Knowledge is power and one of the best ways to making yourself and your loved ones less vulnerable is learning about what's going on out there, being aware of your surroundings and knowing how to defend yourself. Let's check out the latest in senior scamming:
A popular scam affecting seniors nationwide is one in which the senior receives a call from someone claiming to be with their county's medical office and requesting credit card information to charge a certain amount of money to "ensure the continuation of medical coverage." There is no reason why you should be charged to continue your medical coverage. Furthermore, you should be weary of distributing any financial information to anybody, let alone somebody with whom you are not familiar.
According to Scam Busters, a non-profit dedicated to seeking justice against scammers, upcoming changes in Medicare prescription drug programs may increase the prevalence of senior medical scams, so this is something to be aware of! Have you or has someone you love been the victim of scammers taking advantage of seniors? The best thing we can do is come together and promote awareness to better protect those who are most vulnerable. Share your experiences with us!
Memory Tips for Making Life Easier TM by Shelley Peterman Schwarz, (
Attainment Company) delivers just what the title promises. It's full of practical, everyday tips to sustain a strong and supple memory and to aid professionals in working with clients who struggle with memory issues.
- Do it now. This is probably the most important memory enhancement technique. If you act immediately, you have no need to remember.
- Write it down. Write notes, make lists, create "cheat sheets" and construct timelines.
- Visualize. Form a picture in your mind. Use your imagination to add humor, action or exaggeration.
- Create rhymes and tunes. Use rhyming words or create new words for familiar tunes to help you remember tasks, sequences, dates and facts.
- Make up stories. Link items together in your mind by putting them in story forms. (Remember how story problems helped you learn math?)
- Develop acronyms. Using the first letter of each item you want to remember, create an acronym or funny phrase such as KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).
- Make associations. Relate new information to something you already know.
- Group like items together. Organize your mind like a grocery or department store, with similar items or categories all in the same aisle.
- Divide and conquer. When learning something new, break up the subject into manageable sections and concentrate on one section at a time.
- Retrace your steps mentally to retrieve a thought, remember where you left your coffee cup, remind yourself what you were looking for or recall what you wanted to do next.
Shelley Peterman Schwarz was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1979, while working part-time as a teacher of the deaf. Despite being severely disabled, with only limited use of her left hand, she has published more than 500 articles and is the author of 7 books, including the bestselling Multiple Sclerosis: 300 Tips For Making Life EasierTM, Arthritis: 300 Tips for Making Life EasierTM, and Parkinson's Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life EasierTM. As president of Meeting Life's Challenges, LLC, Shelley, as well as her staff and Web site provide information to help people living with chronic illness and age-related limitations cope with the challenges they face. She is also the host of the monthly Tips for Making Life EasierTM TV segment on the CBS affiliate in southcentral Wisconsin, as well as the host of the Making Life Easier Internet radio show (podcast). To sign up for the monthly e-zine, to listen to podcasts, to read Shelley's blog, and to learn about tips and products to help you on your journey, visit www.makinglifeeasier.com.
Can you do something for me? Go to a park on a beautiful day, breathe in deeply and then breathe out slowly. Now look around; the leaves on the trees gently rustling in the wind, the sun's rays fighting through the clouds and the grass below you vibrant green and soft. You didn't have to run a mile, or move much for that matter, but the health benefits of being outside and getting fresh air are undeniable.
Whether you have a disability that keeps you bedridden, or you're a senior who doesn't get out of the house much, finding a way outdoors - even if it's your own backyard - can be a great change of scenery that enlivens your senses. As you can imagine, the benefits of exercising while outdoors can provide the same, if not better, results. Here are just some of the many ways just about anybody can get outside and get moving:
Outdoors
- Take walks
- Ride a bicycle
- Do push ups against a sturdy tree
- Take long, deliberate strides to the mailbox
- Walk up and down stairs
- Find a quiet place in the woods and do some deep breathing exercises
- Work in the garden
- Go to the park and meandor
- Sweep the porch
What other kinds of activities can you engage in to stay fit outside? Share them here!