As a geriatric nurse, I rather frequently see the effects of age and disease on the body. Of course, different diseases manifest in different ways, and while some of those signs and symptoms may mirror those of old age, others may not. As a result, it is important that I, and other geriatric nurses like me, recognize how Parkinson’s disease might affect a patient under our care so that we can better care for them and meet their needs.
Topics: The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Hospital Professionals, Mental Health, Nurses, Parkinson's patients, patients, dopamine, substantia nigra, Parkinson's Diseases, Geriatric Nursing, Multiple Sclerosis, Hoehm-Yahr scale
When was the last time you walked into a restaurant hoping for a relaxing dinner only to feel like you were in the middle of a rock concert, and a bad one at that? You're not alone. Noise pollution is a real health hazard, especially for older adults. Yes, I'm in the AARP club myself, but don't consider myself "old" (and not sure when that starts) but I've noticed how noise has affected me as I've aged.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Elders, dementia, Dementia Live, leadership, Hospital Professionals, Seniors, older adults, noise pollution, health, elder care communities, home care
It's no secret that families tend to shy away from the topics of money and death more often than not. The fact, however, is that caregiving decisions often revolve around money, as care options will vary greatly depending on one's assets. So money plays a very important role in the choices that are made and discussions that take place between family members.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Family, caregivers, Dementia Live, Faith Community, parents, money, depression-era, nest egg, families, children, understanding, family conflict
Despite our disappointments, struggles, and unknowns, we must cling to hope - for renewal, rebirth, and regrowth. This season brings hope as we witness new blossoms, trees budding and renewed faith. Caregivers need to above all, cling to their hope that this journey you are on will bring new blessings, opportunities for personal growth, and strength to carry on your important work.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Caregiver, caregivers, Dementia Live, Faith Community, glioblastoma
Aging isn't just for old people - we are all connected. As the world ages at break-neck speed, how well are we preparing future generations to live in an aging world? Are we treating the very young and very old in our society as bookends simply in place to hold our "middle" years in place?
Topics: The Faith Community, Senior Care Professionals, caregivers, Dementia Live, aging, understanding
Caring for a close family member friend can be emotionally overwhelming. While many caregivers find fulfillment in helping another person, along with this comes feelings of loss, anger, grief, and guilt. Caregivers struggle with depression and anxiety at a much higher rate than the general population. Counseling can be very beneficial for helping people with what is called caregiver burnout.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Family, Caregiver, caregivers, leadership, Faith Community, Caregiver Burnout, Burnout, Depression, families, Anxiety, Counseling
Dear, Honey, Hun, Sweetie, Buddy, Chief, That’s a good boy, Let's go potty now. No, I am not talking to my 18-month-old, I am repeating terms of endearment and phrases I hear in memory care and assisted living every day. There is so much research behind the use of this type of language researchers refer to it as elderspeak. I know I am guilty of using terms like these and I know you are too but explore the impact it may be having on our residents.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, dementia care, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Senior Care, dementia, Caregiver, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, leadership, Hospital Professionals, eldercare
Challenging behavior is a catch-all term that, in the context of dementia, includes one or combinations of things like shouting, wandering, biting, throwing things, repetitive talking repetitive movements, destroying personal possessions and other objects without regard for whom it belongs, agitation and general anger, physical or verbal attacks on others, waking others at night, making sexually inappropriate comments, disrobing inappropriately, and urinating or defecating in undesirable locations. This is not an all-inclusive list and I am sure you can think of many more examples that fit under the umbrella term of challenging behavior.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, dementia, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, Hospital Professionals, behaviors, Person centered care, Behavioral Expression, staff, Challenging Behaviors
Anticipatory grief refers to a grief reaction that occurs before an impending loss. Typically, the impending loss is a death of someone close due to illness but it can also be experienced by dying individuals themselves.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, caregivers, Faith Community, chronic illness, Hospice, death, Grief, Anticipatory grief
The number of older people is rising dramatically, particularly those in the 85 years and above age group. Because the likelihood of developing dementia increases with age, reaching a one in 3 chance by the time a person reaches 85, we must turn our attention to eldercare, age-friendly initiatives to be that of dementia-friendly initiatives. Let's look at what research tells us about how our neighborhoods can be transformed to age-friendly, dementia-friendly places for people to live as they grow older.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Dementia Live, leadership, older adults, environment, Dementia-Friendly neighborhoods, Urban designers
