Health & Wellness Archives » Northwest Elder Law Group

25 July, 2019

The Epidemic of Loneliness

2020-05-22T19:31:05-07:00July 25th, 2019|Categories: Elder Care, Health & Wellness, Resources|

More and more research is coming out that shows that loneliness is becoming an epidemic. Aging adults aren't exempt from this epidemic. In fact, our aging loved ones may be suffering from loneliness at higher than expected rates. AARP put out a survey that indicates more than 42 million adults in the U.S. over the age 45 suffer from chronic loneliness, and that 17 percent of adults over 65 are isolated. While loneliness and isolation are different - the former being a subjective feeling and the latter being measurable - ultimately, the concerns of both are similar. What does loneliness ...

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14 May, 2019

Can My Aging Parent Still Handle Their Own Finances?

2020-05-22T19:31:25-07:00May 14th, 2019|Categories: Elder Care, Guardianship, Health & Wellness|

Your aging mother has stopped cleaning the house, your father forgets to eat unless he is reminded, or perhaps, someone took advantage of him in a financial scam. These are common symptoms of aging and you may be concerned that your loved one is developing dementia. How do you know when it is the right time to step in to take over the checkbook? Signs to look for People don't usually start having trouble with their memory all at once. The process is gradual. What matters to you is whether your parent can still take care of themselves without help. ...

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27 January, 2019

Dealing With Guilt: A Family Caregiver’s Dilemma

2020-05-22T19:32:05-07:00January 27th, 2019|Categories: Elder Care, Health & Wellness|

As a parent or loved one ages, your role may slowly, or suddenly, change. It’s now the season of life where the care you were once provided is reciprocated. Whether your role as caregiver is in an official capacity, or you are simply assisting when needed, managing that on top of everything else can be overwhelming. From concerns about spending too much or too little time with your parent to where they will get the best care, the end result is often the same: guilt. Here are some common scenarios and tips for alleviating the guilt that often accompanies the ...

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14 July, 2016

Technology Must-Haves For Aging Adults

2020-05-22T19:39:48-07:00July 14th, 2016|Categories: Elder Care, Health & Wellness, Resources|

As more and more aging adults choose to stay at home rather than move to some type of senior living center, the resources and technology available to help make this a reality are also increasing. Not only do they provide safety and security for the seniors themselves, but they offer loved ones peace of mind. Knowing that their parent or loved one has measures and systems in place to help them maintain independence while also staying safe is truly invaluable. It can also be a lot less expensive to stay than to move to assisted living. Much of the ...

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12 January, 2016

4 Things To Consider About Aging in Place

2020-05-22T19:40:22-07:00January 12th, 2016|Categories: Elder Care, Health & Wellness, Planning For Your Loved Ones, Transportation|

When your parents or loved ones are thinking about the future, the idea of staying in the home they love is appealing. The memories that were made under that roof provide a sense of security and nostalgia: The home where children were raised, where grandchildren played, and a life was established. The idea of leaving it behind may seem unimaginable and unnecessary. It is their home and it’s where they want to stay throughout their twilight years. But is that home the best place for them? Outside of sentimental reasons, there are practical and logical aspects that should be considered. ...

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9 November, 2015

5 Self-Care Tips For Family Caregivers

2020-05-22T19:40:54-07:00November 9th, 2015|Categories: Caregivers, Elder Care, Health & Wellness|

When you are taking care of a loved one, whether it's an aging parent or an incapacitated adult sibling, you are among a rapidly growing group of Americans. According to a study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP in 2015, 34.2 million Americans provided care to an adult over the age of 50 in the previous 12 months. It's referred to as an "informal" caregiver, essentially meaning you do it without being paid. The first thing you need to do is recognize your role. You're a caregiver. Just because you're caring for a family member doesn't negate the ...

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1 May, 2015

Ride Share For Seniors

2020-05-22T19:41:37-07:00May 1st, 2015|Categories: Health & Wellness, Transportation|

One of the most challenging aspects for aging adults is when the time comes to stop driving. Whether it was by choice or was involuntary, it's a hard time for everyone involved. It's a loss of freedom and a difficult reality check. Fortunately, we live in a time full of technology-enabled options for transportation and convenience. There has also been a big shift in focusing on keeping elderly people in their homes as long as possible. There are many companies whose primary objectives are to help elderly stay independent so they don't have to sacrifice their autonomy. Keeping them safe ...

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16 July, 2012

Let’s Talk About Senior Driving

2020-05-22T19:54:55-07:00July 16th, 2012|Categories: Dementia, Elder Care, Health & Wellness, Hearing Loss|

In our society, we sometimes forget that driving is a privilege, not a right. Safe driving depends upon the ability to see, think and move. While many older drivers continue to drive safely, the ability to drive safely can be severely impacted by dementia or other medical conditions that cause confusion, memory loss or cognitive impairment, vision and hearing loss, alcohol use, and medication side effects. It's a difficult issue to face, but ignoring it won't make the problem go away. I hear lots of older drivers diminish the risks involved, saying that they only drive to places they ...

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