Family & Seniors

Caring for the elderly is a position that is often filled by a busy family member. The population of older Americans has never been higher, because advances in the medical field have allowed...

If you've ever baby-proofed a house, you know there's a wealth of information out there on child safety within the home. But when it comes to protecting your elderly parents, the situation can get...

It's just one of those things - at some point, you and your parents are going to have to switch roles. It is not very fun and it is hard, but sometimes it just has to be done. It is hard on both...

An elderly parent moving in with you--whether you live alone or have family--can usher in a time of great joy and greater challenges. Keep an open mind and communicate with each person involved to...

Roles seem to reverse as parents age. Children often become caregivers, while parents become more dependent. Many parents resist having to depend on others, especially their own children. However,...

To me my Grandmother was like my own Mother while I was growing up. My Mother could not be with me a lot of times because she was busy working. But now it is 20 years later and I feel the pain...

Grandmothers love it when their grandchilren make time for them. I have heard that a simple phone call from a granchild can make an old woman's day. It can be hard when you are grown and have a...

A Hoyer Lift is a hydraulic device used for moving people short distances who cannot move by themselves and are too heavy to be lifted by one or two aides. A Hoyer Lift can be manually operated or...

Caring for elderly parents or relatives becomes a reality for millions of people every year. The elderly population is growing because people are living longer than ever before. It is entirely...

According to a 2008 "USA Today" article, "It's estimated that 34 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for other adults, usually elderly relatives, and that they spend an average 21 hours a...

n these times we find that families are more spread out than ever. You usually think of caretaker responsibilities for older parents falling on a family member that lives near by. It's not...

Learn how to identify signs that a senior or aging parent needs help. Don't let your aged loved one suffer in silence. Look for these following signs.

Senior Citizen grants usually help with living expenses such as housing, transportation, or home care. Some grants also help senior citizens get paid to volunteer or pay expenses such as TV and...

Taking care of an elderly family member is a big decision that will change your life in many ways. Whether you are taking care of a parent or another elderly relative, it is important to...

There is a stigma for elderly when being placed in a nursing home or assisted-living facility, according to Robert Powell, editor of "Retirement Weekly". (See Reference 1). Still, there are...

Whether you're an older person who is planning for the future or a person looking into care for an aging family member, you may need to rate nursing homes to determine which offers the best...

If you've thought about volunteering at a nursing home, you may want to consider starting a program to take library books to the facility. Many senior citizens enjoy reading, but lose access to...

First of all, allow me to state this fact. Nobody, including the person you are caring for, will ever understand how tiring and thankless this job is unless they have done it themselves. How much...

Caring for an elderly parent or family member in your home can be stressful. Older adults need a lot of extra care and attention. Because of their many needs, your home may not be safe for an...

If you’ve had to make the decision to admit a family member to a nursing home, you know how difficult the decision was. Once you have selected a nursing home however, the job does not end there....

An assisted living home can be a good choice for seniors who require some help with their everyday activities, but still want to keep their independence. Like a nursing home, there is 24-hour...

The average cost of nursing home care is $2,309 per month. Multiply this by a number of years and you'll realize that even with the best plans, your parents or loved ones are likely to outlive...

The many types of care available for the elderly allows families to choose a mode that suits their unique needs. Primary care for the elderly can be found in a variety of places, under a variety...

Medical alert systems allow senior citizens to live in their homes longer, by giving them a way to call for help quickly if they fall, become ill or need any kind of emergency assistance. Medical...

Some people are thrilled when their grown children go to college or get married and leave the nest. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. When my daughter left to college, it was one of the worst...

Certain situations and signs may indicate it might be time to consider alternative living arrangements. Generally speaking, families and seniors begin to consider alternatives when it becomes...

If you are used to being part of your elderly parents' lives, but for one reason or another must move away from them, this separation can make you feel anxious about how your parents will get...

When finding a nursing home or assisted living facility it can be a long process as a move is researched and planned. Or it can be in crisis during an unexpected hospitalization where going home...

It is very important for elderly adults to remain active. Physical, mental and social stimulation are the keys to longevity and happiness. Seniors have the benefit of plenty of free time to pursue...

Dealing with elderly parents on just about any matter can be challenging. They may find it difficult to understand high-tech concepts, may react slower physically and may resist change. Therefore,...

Caring for an aging parent can involve moving into the senior's house. This choice allows the parent to continue living in her cherished home among her possessions when she can no longer manage on...

Medical equipment walkers or the medical supplies walker or the rollators are one and the same thing and these are mere industry terms for the same product. The walkers are an important aid if you...

Gait belt is a safety instrument which is used by the helpers and the caregivers to make sure that they can easily move the person being assisted from one place to the other. The gait belt helps...

Staying active can mean increased longevity for elderly adults. A variety of activities will enhance the enjoyment that older adults get from life.

The ideal bathroom for an elderly person or senior citizen is on the first floor and is a large, walk-in shower outfitted for handicap access. But if you can't afford an entirely new shower, what...

Moving a loved one into a nursing home may seem like one of the most painful things we will do. However if we know a nursing home will be best we need to take time to consider choosing a good...

Cooking for elderly and homebound individuals requires a careful assessment of the situation, paying close attention to nutritional needs as well as medical issues. Creating balanced meals ensures...

Adult daycares differ from nursing homes because the participants are not residents of the facility. The daycare serves two main purposes: to provide a time of rest for the caregiver and to...

You live miles from Mom and Dad but a crisis means you need to move them into a nursing home immediately. You will be there to help them move, but how do you select a place before you arrive? ...

Learn how easy it is to do as the bible commands us to do and love thy neighbor.

As a caregiver, you are supplying the necessary care for the elderly, sick and shut in, or disabled to the best of your ability based on what their needs are. In order to do your job efficiently,...

When the time comes to go into a nursing home, there are a variety of elements to the admission process. Knowing what is involved can help your process go more smoothly. You should include all...

Deciding a nursing home is the best place for a loved one can be a very difficult decision. You may have tried everything, including having them live with you, and you know now, you can not take...

Most grandparents don't expect anything from their grandchildren. If they get an occasional hug or "I love you," they're ecstatic. However, there are occasions, such as Grandparents' Day,...

Life can throw many unforeseen circumstances your way. One of these is having to help a parent down size their belongings due to age, illness or death. Your parent may be heading to an elderly...

Deciding to put a family member in a nursing care facility is difficult. You need to know what type of facility best meets your family member's needs, evaluate the quality of the facility and...

Baby boomers are looking for retirement location areas to live out their lives. Some chose a location early in life, and are now considering moving to the area they chose. Some people did not...

Elderly people face a variety of issues as they age, related to health, emotions, finance and overall well-being. People are living longer which means these problems may be compounded over time....

Caring for an elderly person while they recover from surgery can be very challenging if you are not prepared. These tips may help the process be more pleasant for you and the one your helping recover.

Communities throughout the United States offer so many daily activity options for the elderly. Often, however, senior citizens are the last ones to know about these options. Since isolation for...