Author: Lisa Mayfield
The pandemic has provided many lessons, including the importance of our communities, the value of the place we call home, and what steps to take to protect and care for our mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
All these factors play essential roles in our overall health, happiness, and ability to remain independent.
Perhaps this is why the Administration for Community Living has chosen to focus on “aging in place—how older adults can plan to stay in their homes and live independently” for Older Adults Month 2022. This year’s theme is “Age my way!” …
8 Tips for Aging Well: Make Your Plan Now for a Healthy, Supported FutureRead More »
Rob came to Aging Wisdom in a panic. For months he and his sister had done everything they could think of to convince their mother — 82 years old, recently widowed, and showing signs of memory loss — to move to an assisted living community.
Rob’s Aunt Mary, his mother’s sister, had moved to a community nearby and was thrilled with her decision. This was what Rob and his sister Linda saw as the answer for their mother as well. …
Resistance to Care is a Common Challenge: What’s the Best Path Forward?Read More »
If your Thanksgiving holiday is fortunate enough to include multiple generations, here are some simple tips for keeping older loved ones engaged, comfortable, and safe during holiday celebrations: …
Last Minute Tips for a Successful Multigenerational Thanksgiving CelebrationRead More »
Reluctance to spend money is often one of the top barriers to getting parents the help they need. And money discussions can be uncomfortable, especially with our parents.
Our parents have worked hard. They’ve invested wisely and saved diligently. And now, when they may need it most, they refuse to spend the money they’ve saved on themselves.
This is a common dilemma for many families. A parent who needs and can benefit greatly from support in their home or by moving to a supportive living environment says “No!” to the idea. …
Parents Reluctant to Spend Money on Their Own CareRead More »
We humans are hardwired to routine. We like things to be predictable. Change IS hard. And change is harder as we age.
During the COVID-19 pandemic we’ve learned a lot about change. It is inevitable. Our brains can quickly go on overload when the world is evolving at such a rapid pace. We’ve had to change too many things at once. It’s difficult. Uncomfortable. …
The popularity of books such as “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” and programs like “Tidying Up with Maria Kondo” have many of us rethinking our possessions and living environments. The idea of organizing, downsizing or “rightsizing” takes on a particular urgency if we are anticipating helping our parents prepare for a move to a senior living or long-term care community.
It can be anxiety-provoking to contemplate how you will help your parents organize their belongings and move from a single-family home or condo to an apartment or room. The challenge might even cause you to ignore or delay the issue all together.
…
Should It Stay or Should It Go? Making Peace with Our ‘Stuff’Read More »
Being a caregiver can be lonely. Over time, friends and family may start to fade away and your world begins to feel very small. As you encounter tricky situations, you might struggle with how to navigate them gracefully. This caregiving race is a marathon, not a sprint. Equipping yourself for the long haul is essential. Just as you would never head out to sea alone, you shouldn’t start this caregiving journey alone.
As you get into your lifeboat, you don’t have to float alone. Here are some key players you’ll want with you to ensure a smooth ride: …
Get in the Lifeboat: But Don’t Float Alone! Key Supports You’ll Want in Your BoatRead More »
Happy 75, Baby Boomers! 2021 marks the year that the first of the boomers — 3.4 million babies born in the U.S. in 1946 — start turning 75. My Uncle Mike, born January 5th, 1946, is one of the first to mark this significant milestone. A birthday is the perfect time to make sure you well set up for the future, especially since we all have far more time at home to focus on the tasks that many of us avoided for years.
Many baby boomers I know have had to assume the care of their aging parents. It was often a very stressful scenario because their parents did not plan, often refused help, and left adult children to pick up the pieces. Because of this experience, baby boomers are motivated to save their kids from this same fate. They are eager to plan so that their kids won’t be burdened with their future care.
…
10 Steps to Set Yourself Up for Success in Your RetirementRead More »
It is estimated that nearly one-third of adults who are 55 and older are single. This group is sometimes referred to as “solo agers.” Top of mind for many solo agers is who will care for them when they start to need assistance. One survey of solo agers showed that 70% had not identified someone to care for them should they need it, and 35% indicated that they did not have anyone who could help them in a crisis. For individuals without family, proactive planning is essential. …
8 Tips for Solo Agers: Your Plan for a Healthy, Supported FutureRead More »
As our understanding of COVID-19 evolves, and until we have a vaccine, some families struggle with the decision of whether to bring an older loved one, who may currently live in a supportive living or long-term care setting, back home. With the uncertainty still surrounding COVID-19, this is an understandable and important question, especially with the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 infections coming this late Fall or Winter. Yet any consideration of a move should not be taken lightly, especially with so many unknowns about the future. …
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Next »