What’s up in senior living?

Topic: Caregiving

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Resources for Caregivers to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients

Providing full-time care for someone who needs assistance in your home can be as rewarding as it is challenging. If you’re one of more than 34 million Americans who provide care to an adult age 50 or older, it’s important to know where to turn for help, support and guidance.  This guide to caregiver resources in Oklahoma City and around the country can help you access information and support services. Remember: caregivers need care, too.  Different Types of Dementia General …

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Top Signs of Caregiver Burnout

There’s no doubt that caring for an aging loved one can be a rewarding experience for everyone. Making a positive difference in the life of someone you care about can give you a sense of purpose, allow you to grow your relationship and strengthen your bond to that person. However, caregiving does require hard work and dedication, often day-in and day-out. Caregivers are often relentless in their duties, sometimes sacrificing social plans, vacations and even their own doctor appointments to …

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Recognizing the Signs of Dementia

What is Dementia? Dementia is defined as chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury and marked by memory disorders, personality changes and impaired reasoning. It is not a specific disease but rather a general term, which can describe a wide variety of symptoms related to memory decline in older adults. Although there are many forms of dementia affecting seniors, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80% of cases. As we age, many adults experience memory …

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Avoiding Caregiver Guilt

The Many Challenges of a Caregiver: Finding a Balance Family caregivers are responsible not only for meeting the healthcare needs of an aging family member or friend facing a chronic condition, illness or disability, but also for providing emotional, physical and often, financial support. On average, a family caregiver spends upwards of 24 hours each week caring for a family member or friend who is no longer able to maintain an independent living lifestyle, assisting with activities of daily living …

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Challenges Facing Family Caregivers

Supporting the Family Caregiver According to the National Center on Caregiving, over 34 million Americans have provided unpaid care to a loved one age 50 or older in the last 12 months. These family caregivers generally assist their loved one with activities of daily living, like dressing, eating and bathing, and many also go above and beyond by performing various healthcare tasks, such as administering medications or injections. On average, a caregiver will spend upwards of 24 hours each week …

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How to Reduce Caregiver Stress

The Importance of Avoiding Caregiver Burnout Recent research shows that over 44 million Americans provide unpaid care to senior family members, friends or a disabled adult. Of these caregivers, an overwhelming majority (one out of three) reports their stress levels as high, and that their caregiving duties often force them to miss out on doing some of the things they most enjoy. Providing care for a senior family member or friend can be a rewarding experience with benefits for both …

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Helping Aging Parents Move

Downsizing a Home and Moving Seniors: Know Your Options For anyone, relocating to a new home can be an emotional process. Leaving behind a house that has been the backdrop for years of memories is likely to bring about feelings of nostalgia. Moving elderly parents can be especially bittersweet, and sometimes even difficult as you find yourself  assisting with the many decisions that accompany downsizing a home. Seniors today have a variety of community living options available designed to make …

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The Stages of Caregiving

Becoming a Family Caregiver Too often, our aging loved ones believe that aging in place means living in their homes indefinitely. This can lead to the need for in-home health care after independent living is no longer viable, or in many instances, a family member ends up being the primary caregiver. Sometimes the transition is gradual; the adult child will begin helping an aging loved one with some everyday tasks around the home, like housekeeping or driving to appointments. Or, …

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