This week, millions of adult children will head “home” to spend time with their parents and grandparents over the holidays. It’s a time for family celebrations and bonding. And for adult offspring with elder loved ones, it’s also a rare time – with potentially five or more days spent together – to evaluate whether their… Continue reading Are Your Senior Loved Ones Safe to Live Alone?
Category: Family
Live Together or Get Married? Study Finds Similar Emotional Benefits
When it comes to emotional health, couples — especially women — do just as well moving in together as they do getting married, according to a national study done at Ohio State University in December 2015. The team studied young people, but here at thirdAGE we’re guessing the results would be similar for older people.… Continue reading Live Together or Get Married? Study Finds Similar Emotional Benefits
Kids From Higher Socioeconomic Backgrounds Rely More on Parents
Young people from higher socioeconomic backgrounds are likelier to receive financial support from their parents even after they have left the nest, according to research from North Carolina State University. Going to a four-year-college makes them likelier to rely on such support, and they are likelier to become completely independent over time. “I wanted to… Continue reading Kids From Higher Socioeconomic Backgrounds Rely More on Parents
Stuck Inside? Exercises to Do at Home
The snowy season is upon us – but you can still exercise even in the middle of a blizzard! Here, from the SeniorHealth division of the National Institutes of Health, are some at-home exercises for when you’re snowbound. (As always, check with your doctor before beginning or changing any exercise program.) Dance to music on… Continue reading Stuck Inside? Exercises to Do at Home
Home-Delivered Meals Reduce Loneliness
When Congress passed the Older Americans Act in 1965 to support elderly people who were struggling — often alone — to continue to live at home, a major plank of the legislation provided for home delivery of meals to ensure their adequate nutrition. In the midst of the holiday season 2015, a study done at… Continue reading Home-Delivered Meals Reduce Loneliness
We Are Meant to Live Long and Lucid Lives!
Humans (and certain whales) are unique among vertebrates in that we typically live long past our reproductive years, and most of us stay sharp well into old age. Now researchers at the University of California, San Diego have discovered the reason for this happy phenomenon. In a paper published November 30th 2015 in Proceedings of… Continue reading We Are Meant to Live Long and Lucid Lives!
Caregiving and Cancer
Caregiving is more often than not an unexpected event. Many caregivers have a daily routine caring for a loved one. Some caregivers continue working; some stay at home to caregive. Most important is the caregiver’s ability for self-care including attending to healthcare and medical needs. Care-receiving is also an unexpected and unwelcome event; who wants… Continue reading Caregiving and Cancer
Alzheimer’s and The Genetic Factor
Scientists believe that many factors influence when Alzheimer’s disease begins and how it progresses. The more they study this devastating disease, the more they realize that genes play an important role. Research conducted and funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and others is advancing our understanding… Continue reading Alzheimer’s and The Genetic Factor
Choosing Residential Care for An Alzheimer’s Patient
Sometimes you can no longer care for the person with Alzheimer’s disease at home. The person may need around-the-clock care. Or, he or she may be incontinent, aggressive, or wander. When that happens, you may want to look for another place for the person to live. According to the National Institutes of Health, You may… Continue reading Choosing Residential Care for An Alzheimer’s Patient
More Men Are Becoming Caregivers
The face of today’s caregiver is gradually changing. While the majority of America’s 43 million unpaid caregivers are still female, an increasing number of men — at least 14.5 million — are contributing to the care of spouses, parents, children and other family members. Younger men are playing an even larger role. Research on male… Continue reading More Men Are Becoming Caregivers
Creative Holiday Gifts That Keep On Giving
Make this holiday season one filled with creating memories and gifts that keep giving throughout the year. Terrariums have made a comeback and make wonderful do-it-yourself projects and gifts for beginning and experienced gardeners. They enable gardeners to continue to grow no matter the weather outdoors and can be updated and used as decorations throughout… Continue reading Creative Holiday Gifts That Keep On Giving
More Men Are Becoming Caregivers
The face of today’s caregiver is gradually changing. While the majority of America’s 43 million unpaid caregivers are still female, an increasing number of men — at least 14.5 million — are contributing to the care of spouses, parents, children and other family members. Younger men are playing an even larger role. Research on male… Continue reading More Men Are Becoming Caregivers
Loneliness Can Cause Illness in Older Adults
For older adults, perceived social isolation is a major health risk that can increase the risk of premature death by 14 percent, according to research done at the University of Chicago and published November 23rd 2015 in theProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences A release from the university notes that researchers have long known… Continue reading Loneliness Can Cause Illness in Older Adults
Animal and Human Bites Can Both Lead to Infections
We love our pets and they can bring us much joy and laughter. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 43 million American households have at least one dog, and over 36 million have at least one cat. Unfortunately, as much as we love these, they can hurt us with nips and bites that… Continue reading Animal and Human Bites Can Both Lead to Infections
Defusing Holiday Tension Among Relatives
“You can choose your friends but not your family.” As cliché as it might sound the statement relating to family is very true; your family can either be your strength or your weakness. During the holidays family matters seem to take center stage because it is a time when conflicts, money and feelings can be… Continue reading Defusing Holiday Tension Among Relatives
A Thanksgiving Ritual
By Susan Ford Collins In our family, Thanksgiving is about much more than just food! Oh yes, every year I make homemade cranberry sauce, a huge rice-stuffing filled turkey roasted with onions, mushrooms and carrots till golden brown, along with neatly trimmed broccoli “trees” for the kids, and a mouth-watering array of regular as… Continue reading A Thanksgiving Ritual
How to Have “The Conversation” with Your Parents
One of the most heartfelt and uncomfortable conversations you will ever have in your life will be the senior living talk you may eventually have to have with your parent or parents. No one wants to have this conversation, but it’s often more detrimental to your parent’s well-being to avoid it. Here are some tips… Continue reading How to Have “The Conversation” with Your Parents
Researchers Call for Hospitals to Establish Bereavement Programs
Backed by a growing body of research, investigators at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston are calling for all hospitals to establish bereavement programs for families of deceased patients. In a paper in the November 2015 issue of the Journal of Palliative Medicine, the researchers say such programs – which guide and support people through the… Continue reading Researchers Call for Hospitals to Establish Bereavement Programs