Music can spark joy. Whether you’re grinning to a Dolly Parton tune, thrilling to a Bach concerto or weeping through a Puccini opera, you are engaged in what may be a uniquely human activity — the translation of music into emotions.
As the executive director of the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), I am always on the lookout for brain-healthy foods. I scan grocery aisles for chocolate bars with more than 70 percent cocoa, feel that I’m stimulating my brain when I down my morning coffee and even feel virtuous when drinking a glass or two of red wine. Turns out all my assumptions have been wrong.
Older adults have borne the brunt of the coronavirus’ wrath, with rates of hospitalizations and deaths far higher than those of any other age group. And new research shows the pandemic has likely dealt another blow to 50-plus Americans by increasing their risk of falling.
A well-known and yet hurtful reality of dementia or Alzheimer’s is the forgetfulness and memory loss that can occur. Memory loss is particularly difficult for family members to cope with when their parent or loved one forgets who they are.
Spending time with a parent or loved one living with dementia can be a worrying experience. “What should I say?” “What can I do?” or “What if they don’t know who I am?” are all completely normal questions you may ask yourself. Not to mention, if you weren’t that close prior to their diagnosis the task of getting to know them now may feel overwhelming. Fortunately, with a little preparation and patience, you will find there are many ways to engage and even have fun with your loved ones.
I think the lockdown has caused depression/mental illness in my 85 year old Mom. How do I get help for her?
Every family has their own favorite special occasions that they enjoy celebrating. Some may not be big into Halloween, Valentine’s Day or Independence Day, while others go all out celebrating these events as well as personal milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. But when dementia creeps into the picture, many families are left wondering how to handle these special days.
Senior Helpers knows it can take some trial and error to find the right caregivers to help a senior age in place. We field calls all the time about families not happy with their current care provider.
How will you know when your elderly parents need help at home? One thing is certain: your parents aren’t likely to be the ones who tell you they need a helping hand!
Honoring our veterans and all they have done to serve our country is essential at Senior Helpers. To express our gratitude, locations throughout the Valley will help veterans utilize our home care resources that are covered by the VA.
If an aging loved one is mentally competent and still adamantly refuses in-home care aides despite your protests, then that is within their rights. All you can do is your best to get them to accept help, and you do not always have to be the one to provide it.
Summer is a time of fun and relaxation for most people. But for seniors, the heat and sun can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Senior Helpers, Arizona’s leading in-home caregiving provider, has a list of tips that aging adults, as well as their caregivers, can use to make sure they have a safe summer.
Listen to this interview Money Radio had with Senior Helpers Tempe owner, John Skelton.