Articles & News
Slow Medicine
I have been reading the book My Mother, Your Mother, by David McCullough. Dr. McCullough is a geriatrician, and he proposes that we adopt the method of "slow medicine" with older adults. When you consider our current health care delivery system, it is excellent at...
Making Home Safer
Making home safer for an older adult who has difficulty walking, seeing clearly, or some other disabling condition means making a home safer for everyone who lives in the house. Since falls in older adults accounts for the leading cause of disability and impairment...
Traveling and Caregiving
Traveling can be fun with a loved one but can provide special challenges for family caregivers when the older parent, spouse, or other family member needs special assistance due to chronic health problems. Communicating and planning are essential. Basic Travel Tips...
Heart Health, Stress Management, and Caregiving
February is Heart Health Month. This federally designated event is even more important due to the impact of the coronavirus on the public's health, especially heart health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have delayed or avoided routine medical appointments...
Competent Conversations with Health Care Providers
This Caregiver Teleconnection call was presented by guest speaker, Tanesha Tyler-Carr, Alzheimers Association on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. Learn more about these free monthly calls by visiting their website or calling toll free: 866-390-6491. Description: Using effective...
Communicating with the Doctor and Other Health Care Professionals
As a caregiver, practicing clear communication will help you be a more effective and a better advocate for the person in your care. Because good communication helps people clear up misunderstandings and confusion quickly, builds positive relationships and leads to...
Prescription Medication Safety: The Caregiver’s Role
Did you know over two million Americans experience adverse drug reactions from prescription medication each year? Patients develop complications from these medications when doctors, pharmacists, and health care professionals ignore precautionary measures and lack...
Organizing for Caregivers
One of the facts a new caregiver can quickly discover is that the paperwork and other information you need to keep track of can be pretty overwhelming. Figuring out a system that works for you to help keep things organized can be a big help not only in your caregiver...
Better Your Memory by Eating Right
Leading a healthy lifestyle can cause so many benefits and that include helping you better your memory. This is a very important aspect because if you will not take certain steps in order to nurture it, you may end up with the disorders that are associated with this...
Advice for Grandparents Raising Children
Have you ever wished for an easier way to teach discipline in the home? Wouldn’t it be great to just say a magic word and then watch a child’s negative behavior disappear? Well, so do I but we know that is not about to happen. There is no easy formula for responding...
Tools & Gadgets (Assistive Devices) For Independent Living
There are a wide variety of assistive devices on the market to help older adults and others with physical challenges. Here are a few to consider: Plastic finger loops that help turn keys in doors and car ignitions Long-handled "reachers" for retrieving items on low...
A Home Safety Checklist for Seniors
Our homes fulfill many needs for us. Often, the most basic need is for shelter from the elements and intruders. Once we are protected and secure, other needs can be met. Comfort and a place for self-expression are vital for our well-being. Home gives a feeling of...
Setting Limits and Healthy Boundaries
The most difficult challenge for many caregivers is not the physical and medical issues affecting the person for whom they provide care, but the emotional and psychological impact of caregiving on themselves. Caregivers often experience a variety of complex emotions...
Strange Behaviors: Dementia vs Delirium
This Caregiver Teleconnection call was presented by guest speaker, Dr. Jennifer Arnouville, DO, Geriatrician on Monday, January 11, 2021. Learn more about these free monthly calls by visiting their website or calling toll free: 866-390-6491. Description: Learn the...
Denton Caregiver Forum Fall 2020
In case you missed the Denton Caregiver Forum on Oct. 10, 2020 you can view a recording of this fantastic presentation! [button link="https://alz-org.zoom.us/rec/share/xXaoDbO32SBJrNHorXuGqCps5CGGb3qfxNjQ_wvQ-DYY3MQhCv8ACFRm3C4Ucdum.uU3wXiRALHh_nTBP" color="green"...
In the Hospital – Advice from other Caregivers
Thank you Martha S. for providing your experiences and recommendations for other caregivers. “My husband was independent for several years following a serious stroke in late 2002 and his eventual recovery. In April 2007 paramedics rushed him to the emergency room with...
Stress Management Tips
Scan this list for simple stress management ideas - we hope you find inspiration in this list! Go for a walk. Sign up for an online exercise, yoga, or Tai Chi class. Do some deep breathing and practice mindfulness throughout the day. What three things are you grateful...
Start Small and Prioritize: Resolutions You Really Can Keep
40-60% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions but only 8-9% keep them. One psychologist claims that self-discipline is the reason people don’t keep their resolutions. Self-discipline is not usually the reason for family caregivers. Fatigue, anxiety and depression,...
Post-Hospital Home Care
Editor’s Note: This is the last post in a 3-part series about what happened when a working caregiver’s mother had to go into the hospital. This post is about what happened after the emergency room visit and the hospital stay. After six days in the...
The Hospital Stay
Editor’s Note: This is the second post in a series about what happened when a working caregiver’s mother had to go into the hospital. This post is about the hospital stay. Also in this series is the initial visit to the emergency room and lastly the...
Emergency Room Visit
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series about what happened when a working caregiver’s mother had to go into the hospital. This post is about the initial emergency room visit. Next in this series is the hospital stay and lastly the...
Karen’s Story – I was both a patient and a caregiver
I think when one becomes a 24/7 caregiver, they mentally move into that space in which only the take-charge dwell. They develop a tunnel vision which enables them to concentrate on the needs of their loved one without allowing the riffraff of everyday...
Men as Caregivers: The Changing Face of Caregiving
The profile of the “average” caregiver is changing. A new publication reports 22 million informal male caregivers in the United States and about 840,800 living in Texas. These men are caring for spouses, parents, children, grandchildren and friends. Evidence shows...
Facebook and Twitter for Caregivers
Join Family Caregivers Online on Social Media! Facebook and Twitter, two popular Social Media platforms, have changed the way that people communicate and connect with one another. Think of Social Media as a community available when you want to find...
Housing Options for Older Adults
But for most of us there comes a time when staying at home, particularly by ourselves, may no long For most of us there comes a time when staying at home, particularly by ourselves, may no longer be the safe option. This article provides a very brief overview of...
