Dementia: Packing for a trip

Dementia: Packing for a trip

A trip. Sounds like fun! And, it’s more challenging when you travel with a companion who has dementia. But with forethought and planning, you can avoid or readily address common problems. Things to do a few weeks ahead Get an ID bracelet for you and your loved...
Bringing the hospital home

Bringing the hospital home

Suppose you bring your frail loved one or a relative with dementia to the ER because of trouble breathing. The doctors determine it is pneumonia caused by bits of food being swallowed into the lungs. Rather than stay in the hospital, they suggest your relative use the...
Senior bullying and exclusion

Senior bullying and exclusion

About 20% of seniors living in communal settings experience bullying in one form or another. Cliques and power hierarchies seem to be a human tendency. If your loved one is the focus of bullying, you might notice withdrawal from others or depressed mood. Or you might...
Meaningful end of life conversations

Meaningful end of life conversations

Hollywood would have us believe that profound deathbed conversations occur just before the last breath is drawn. Not so! The last few weeks of a person’s life are often marked by extreme fatigue, long hours of sleep, and sometimes distracting levels of pain....
Preparing for a heat wave

Preparing for a heat wave

Make sure your loved one is ready to “take the heat” this summer. Older bodies are less able to cope with excessive heat, so it’s important to ensure safeguards are in place. Check in with your relative’s doctor. Certain chronic conditions and medications increase an...