Author: Lisa Mayfield
Are you worried about an older adult in your life? Have you wondered if they would be safer living at a retirement community? Is this something you’ve suggested, only to be told “I will never move!”
I suspect you have tried to have a dialogue about your concerns, and it went nowhere. If you feel like you are banging your head against a wall or are finding yourself completely overwhelmed trying to juggle your work, kids, other responsibilities, while trying to assist your parents, you are not alone!
When we see changes in our parents or other older adults in our lives, it’s usually a sign that something has shifted. …
A hospital stay can be overwhelming for both the patient and their family. One of the most common questions families face is: What happens after discharge?
If a patient has been admitted to the hospital for a qualifying stay (typically three consecutive midnights), they may be eligible for a short-term rehabilitation stay in a skilled nursing facility.
Families are often unsure what rehabilitation entails and may feel hesitant about this option. …
Navigating the future can feel uncertain—but you don’t have to do it alone.
What is solo aging?
A solo ager is an individual who is aging without the traditional support system of immediate family. Solo agers include those who are single by choice, widowed, divorced, have never had children, or navigating life independently.
Solo agers often rely on friends, extended family, or community resources for support to navigate the challenges and opportunities of aging alone. It’s essential for solo agers to actively plan for their future, considering aspects like healthcare, housing, and social connections. …
What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
I am the Founder and Principal of Aging Wisdom.
What made you want to work in the field of aging?
My path into this work began with a very special relationship with my Grandpa. My mom was a teacher, and during the summers we spent a great deal of time with my grandparents in Portland while she took courses. My grandparents were often in charge of keeping me out of trouble—and I cherished that time. One of my favorite memories is playing Uno with my Grandpa. He would jokingly accuse me of changing the rules so I could win. 😊
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Whether it be health crises or weather-related issues and natural disasters, Aging Life Care Professionals™ (aka Care Managers) are the rock for overwhelmed families by providing calm, creative thinking, flexibility, and excellent communication. …
Caregiving is a marathon, not a sprint. Equipping yourself for the long term is essential. Just as you would never participate in a marathon without proper preparation, you shouldn’t start your caregiving journey without planning and the right supports.
To ensure a smooth journey, here are some key resources and professionals to engage: …
May is Aging Life Care™ Month, which has me thinking about how supporting an aging parent can often feel so daunting. We see it every day in our work as Aging Life Care Professionals®. …
Aging Life Care Professionals®, Your Guilt-BusterRead More »
My Grandpa meant the world to me. Early in my life, it was just me and my mom. She was a teacher, and we’d spend the summers with my grandparents in Portland. My mom would take classes while their assignment was to keep me out of trouble.
Lucky for me, this meant hours with my Grandpa. He lovingly referred to me as “the Streaker,” since most of my time was spent in their backyard, running around like a maniac, jumping in and out of my cheap plastic pool, not wasting time with a swimsuit, soaking in the freedom. …
Gen X: We’re up! Turning to the next generation of caregiversRead More »
Over the Christmas holiday, the mom of one of my good friends gave $10,000 to a phone scammer. Earlier that month, I visited a Rotary meeting and one of their members shared that he had just been scammed by a call he thought was his bank. Last week, I heard from a prospective client that her sister had just given her entire savings away to an internet scammer.
What all three of these people have in common is that they are all in their 70’s, vibrant, active, and engaged in their lives. We typically think of victims of scams as being “vulnerable” and isolated. Yet scammers have gotten so skilled, they are forcing us to re-think who is vulnerable to being scammed. These days, we are all at risk.
Internet and phone scams are on the rise and will only continue to increase over time as scammers continue to refine their skill and gain continued success. No one is immune and scammers target all ages. However, “the people losing money are disproportionately sixty and older, with those eighty and older losing most of all,” states M.T. Connolly, attorney, author, and leading national expert on elder justice (Connolly, The Measure of Our Age, 106). …
Using medications and supplements appropriately optimizes their efficacy. Taking them as prescribed also helps avoid unwanted side effects and interactions.
Whether you’re managing prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, or herbal remedies for yourself or an older adult in your care, these four tips will help you manage medications properly and optimize safety. …