Caregiving Is Not a Competitive Sport: The Case for Supporting Caregiver's Unique Decisons
Caregiving. Let that word sink in for a minute. What does it mean to you? While often rewarding and frequently exhausting, it’s one of many life events that can only be understood if you’ve been intimately involved. This truth is what drives most caregivers to seek support from their peers as well as professionals who can share valuable information. So, what could go wrong in such a well-meaning group? Normally, all is well in caregiver support groups. People help and comfort one another, offer advice based on what’s worked for them in a similar situation, or just simply offer a much-appreciated hug — virtual or ot...
Source: Minding Our Elders - April 9, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Does Your Sibling Worry More for Their Inheritance Than Mom and Dad ’s Care?
Photo credit Afif Kusuma Some adult children work seamlessly together to find the best care solutions for their aging parents. However, some siblings don’t contribute at all, leaving the heavy lifting, sacrifices, and difficult choices up to one adult child, often a daughter. Still, others are involved sporadically, only deigning to give their opinions when pricey care decisions are on the line. In the latter scenario, these siblings disprove of respite, are suspicious of outside caregivers, and demand to keep their parents’ bills low. They don’t want to entertain the thought of hiring professional caregivers o...
Source: Minding Our Elders - April 8, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Balancing Elder Care with Other Relationships
Photo credit Amy Hirschi Becoming a family caregiver is often something that either happens very suddenly or slowly sneaks up on a person. When a loved one has a health setback or begins needing more assistance, we tend to go into “crisis mode” and haphazardly shift our priorities around to ensure their immediate needs are met. Most family caregivers take on these responsibilities thinking they will be short-term commitments and that life will soon return to “normal.” But the reality is that caregiving can drag on for weeks, months, and even years. Without any solid plans or reprioritizing, things that were once at...
Source: Minding Our Elders - April 7, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Keeping Older Adults Active and Engaged: Some Tips
Photo credit Manyerling Villalobos As family caregivers, we strive to meet all our loved ones’ needs. We give medication reminders, cook meals, manage doctor’s appointments and keep schedules. Our daily tasks can be challenging, but one, in particular, gives families a lot of grief: ensuring our loved ones are stimulated and entertained. If a senior’s abilities have waned, it can be challenging to find ways to adapt or replace the pastimes they once loved. Sometimes, though, our loved ones simply lose their motivation to participate in life. They may complain, nag us, or spend all day sleeping or watching television....
Source: Minding Our Elders - April 6, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Home Care and In-Home Care: What's Covered, What's Not?
Home care can be helpful in supporting individuals of all ages to safely live at home for as long as possible and/or to recover from an unexpected health crisis. Additionally, home care can be a welcome source of support when family members can no longer provide care alone. These care providers are available for anything from simple household chores and companionship to complex care. But what exactly is meant by the terms “home care” and “in-home care," and what will your insurance cover? Continue reading on HealthCentral for more about in-home care and insurance coverage:  Minding Our Elders: Careg...
Source: Minding Our Elders - April 5, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

With Bladder Cancer Treatment the Risk of Incontinence Increases
Older adults are more prone to bladder cancer with about nine out of 10 people who develop this cancer being over the age of 55 with the average age of people when they are diagnosed 73.  While individuals vary greatly, the disease will affect approximately one in 27 men and one in 89 women.  Continue to read on Egosancares blog about bladder cancer and how treatment might affect continence issues: Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stories.“I hold onto your book as a life preserver and am reading it slowly on purpose...I don't want it to end.” ...Craig William Dayton, Film Composer R...
Source: Minding Our Elders - April 4, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Discovering What's Behind Older Adults' Fear of Falling May Encourage More Activity
Photo credit Jonas Kakaroto Dear Carol: My mother lives with pain from rheumatoid arthritis and she’s also experiencing early symptoms of Alzheimer’s. She’s used a cane for years and was confident with these aids but recently she’s become terrified of falling. I bought her a walker, and she says that makes her feel more stable. Still, she’s fearful when she moves around so she’s become extraordinarily sedentary.  I can understand caution, but I’m afraid that if she avoids all activity, her health will decline even faster. She lives with me and there can be friction when I make suggestions. Is ther...
Source: Minding Our Elders - April 3, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

A New Generation of Caregivers: Grandchildren Taking Care of Grandparents
Photo credit: Andrea  Piacquadio Family and household composition have changed a great deal over recent decades. Many of these young caregivers have lived with or been raised by their grandparents. For example, a 2021 report published by Generations United found that more than one in four Americans (26 percent) are living in a household with 3 or more generations. In other instances, a grandchild becomes the primary caregiver because he or she lives nearer to the elder than other family members. Sometimes, it’s simply because a particular grandchild feels close to the grandparent and has the so-called “caregiver ...
Source: Minding Our Elders - April 2, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Adult Day Care Can Fill a Gap for Older Adults and Their Caregivers
Photo credit Georg Arthur Pflueger Most seniors are keen on staying in their homes as they age, but family caregivers often struggle to meet their loved ones’ needs and still carve out time for work, family time, hobbies, social engagements, and leisure time. Caregivers can become overburdened quickly, and it is crucial to seek out help to keep from getting burned out. Other family members and friends are frequently recruited for assistance, but these people have busy schedules, too, and are only willing to contribute so much of their time. In-home care is an excellent option, but some families are nervous about in...
Source: Minding Our Elders - April 1, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Should You Care for Aging Parents Who Neglected or Abused You in Childhood
Photo credit Berhard Grossgasteiger Years ago, a journalist (we’ll call her Nancy) requested an interview with me to discuss common caregiving issues for an article she was writing. We bonded during our chat, and Nancy shared some of her own experiences trying to cope with her aging parents’ needs. In addition to notoriously difficult decisions that come with caregiving, like whether Dad should continue driving or if Mom needs more help at home, Nancy was also struggling with years and years of toxic family history. Initially, she felt that her experience was unusual. After all, we mostly hear about family caregi...
Source: Minding Our Elders - March 31, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Balancing Elder Care with Other Relationships Is Challenging
Photo credit Alex Iby Becoming a family caregiver is often something that either happens very suddenly or slowly sneaks up on a person. When a loved one has a health setback or begins needing more assistance, we tend to go into “crisis mode” and haphazardly shift our priorities around to ensure their immediate needs are met. Most family caregivers take on these responsibilities thinking they will be short-term commitments and that life will soon return to “normal.” But the reality is that caregiving can drag on for weeks, months, and even years. Without any solid plans or reprioritizing, things that were once at th...
Source: Minding Our Elders - March 30, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Keeping Older Adults Active and and Engaged
Photo credit Bret Meliti As family caregivers, we strive to meet all our loved ones’ needs. We give medication reminders, cook meals, manage doctor’s appointments and keep schedules. Our daily tasks can be challenging, but one, in particular, gives families a lot of grief: ensuring our loved ones are stimulated and entertained. If a senior’s abilities have waned, it can be challenging to find ways to adapt or replace the pastimes they once loved. Sometimes, though, our loved ones simply lose their motivation to participate in life. They may complain, nag us, or spend all day sleeping or watching television. What is a...
Source: Minding Our Elders - March 29, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Arts Improve Quality of life for Stroke Survivors and People with Alzheimer's
Photo credit Crystal de Pasille Chabot "Patients who appreciated music, painting and theatre recovered better from their stroke than patients who did not"Patients interested in art had better general health, found it easier to walk, and had more energy. They were also happier, less anxious or depressed, and felt calmer. They had better memory and were superior communicators (speaking with other people, understanding what people said, naming people and objects correctly)." Read more on HealthCentral about how the arts can improve quality of life for stroke survivors: Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their Personal Stori...
Source: Minding Our Elders - March 28, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Barry Jacobs, Psy.D. Sits in Carol ’s Spot for Today’s Column on Planning for Eventual Parent Care
Dear Readers: Barry J. Jacobs, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist and family therapist, is a leading educator about family caregiving. One reason for his effectiveness is that he has been a caregiver himself. I sent Dr. Jacobs a note explaining a question that I’d received about preparing for caregiving and expected a brief quote in return. However, in accordance with his generous nature, he provided so much more. Therefore, this week, I’m honored to have Dr. Jacobs answer our reader who wondered how to plan for caregiving:  The fact that you are already thinking about caregiving and beginning to plan is half the b...
Source: Minding Our Elders - March 27, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs

Grieving Before Death: Alzheimer's or Terminal Illness Grief
Photo credit Nguyen Dang Hoang Nearly everyone involved in caring for an ill or aging loved one is experiencing some degree of grief. However, we don’t usually identify the complex emotions we’re experiencing as such. When you have a parent or spouse who used to be strong and capable but begins to ask for a little assistance, it’s no big deal, right? You’re happy to help. But deep down, there’s a knot in our hearts. We’re grieving various kinds of loss, including the loss of function that comes with advancing age or a chronic medical condition. Generally, these changes are subtle and the grief surrounding...
Source: Minding Our Elders - March 26, 2022 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carol Bradley Bursack Source Type: blogs