Posts by Sid Gerber
Why Would Your Dad Need Home Care Assistance?
Home care assistance comprises a number of services caregivers perform to help your dad age at home safely and independently. Why would he need help from a caregiver? There are dozens of reasons. Here are some of the more common ones. He’s Not Eating Well Your dad isn’t eating as well as he should. He’s…
Read MoreWhat to Do When a Senior With Dementia Is Struggling Emotionally
Caring for someone with dementia can be the most challenging thing you ever do. When you love your mom or dad, it can be hard to know what exactly will help them calm down, especially if they’re battling this disease. When you care for an elderly parent with dementia, they may cry or scream, and…
Read MoreFour Tips for Senior Nail Care
You and your senior might not have thought a lot about nail care for her, but it’s something that personal care at home can help her to manage. While caring for hands and nails is a relaxing task, your senior may also avoid some serious health consequences by taking the best possible care of her…
Read MoreSigns of Dementia In Seniors Families Should Be Watching For
According to the CDC nearly 6 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and more are diagnosed every year. Some cognitive decline is a normal occurrence as seniors get older. So if you are noticing some signs of cognitive decline in a senior parent that might not mean they have Alzheimer’s. The…
Read MoreSeven Reasons Why Your Dad Struggles With Sleep
Around 5% of older adults in the U.S. are impacted by insomnia. While this isn’t high, around 48% report having the symptoms of insomnia from time to time. Your dad struggles with sleep. What causes it? Medications Some medications can trigger insomnia. If your dad’s medications list insomnia as a side effect, talk to his…
Read MoreAvoiding Caregiver Burnout
Recently, I suggested to one of our long-time clients that he take a weekend off from caring for his wife. He retired four years ago, but he hasn’t taken a break from being his wife’s caregiver during that time. Now, he’s close to burning out. I told him to give me a week’s notice that…
Read MoreDealing with Sibling Discord
The winter holidays bring festive songs, cooler weather—and, often, the resurfacing of guilty feelings or long-held grudges among family members who gather to celebrate the holidays. This can make for a volatile situation. But when we’re visiting our elderly, ailing parents, grandparents, or spouse, we must put those feelings aside. Agree to disagree and move…
Read MoreWhat In-Home Care Services Are Best After a Fall?
Every year, an estimated three million older adults fall and have to go to the hospital for treatment. So many issues can lead to a fall, including medication side effects, obstacles at home, illnesses, muscle weakness, and diminished vision. Your mom fell and hit her head. Her doctor says she has a concussion and recommended…
Read MoreWhat is COPD and its symptoms?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that obstructs the airflow from the lungs. It usually develops slowly over the years and is most often caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, such as cigarette smoke. COPD refers to a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.…
Read MoreDoes Your Senior Have a Plan for Managing Incontinence?
Millions of people deal with incontinence every day, but that doesn’t make it an easy topic to bring up with your senior. Whether you’ve noticed an odor or some other signs that your senior might be having trouble with incontinence, it’s important to have a loving conversation with her about what she’s experiencing. You can…
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