Ask anyone for advice about living a long, healthy life and you’ll probably hear tips about the importance of eating well, stopping smoking, exercising, and getting regular medical checkups. Don’t throw those good habits out the window; but, it may come as a shock to learn that connecting with others may be the single most important ingredient for aging well. …
It is probably one of the toughest conversations you’ll ever have: you would rather talk about finances and death with your parents than ask them to retire the car keys.
Why is it so hard? Americans prize self-sufficiency. Driving is deeply connected to our sense of independence and freedom. On the practical side: without a car, your parents will have trouble getting places. Opportunities to socialize will be tricky too.
Though an emotionally charged topic, it’s counterproductive to postpone tough conversations. Keep in mind, it’s more important to avoid accidents or death than to avoid talking about unpleasant and difficult topics. …
When an adult child asks for money, it’s hard to say no. You want to respond to a need. But perhaps your child perceives that you don’t need all you have, or that they’re simply requesting some of their inheritance, just a bit early.
Before you answer, ask for time to think it over. You want to make a decision based on wisdom, not emotion. You also need time to discuss this with your spouse, if you have one. …
When you were a kid, did you find joy in spending time outdoors? For me, embracing activities outside was as natural as breathing.
Today, my out-of-doors pursuits are more intentional but nonetheless enjoyable. And necessary. One positive outcome of the pandemic has had me looking at ways to weave more outdoor activities and meetings into my schedule. …
Many of us look forward to holiday gatherings – getting together with family and friends, sharing lively conversation and good food, exchanging gifts, treats, and merrymaking.
But for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, all the activity, the people, and associated noise can be very unsettling. …
Making the holidays more inclusive and meaningful for those living with dementiaRead More »
The holidays are here and with them come an increase in family and in-person gatherings, time constraints, high expectations, schedule disruptions, and associated stress.
With those realities in mind, we offer these tried-and-true tips to help you stay healthy and safe during the holidays and beyond! …
9 Tips for Staying Healthy Over the Holidays and BeyondRead More »
You probably already have some “smart” features in your home.
For instance, a thermostat you can program for a higher temp during the day and lower at night. Perhaps it has remote capabilities, so you can make changes from afar.
Or sensors, such as garden sprinklers that shut off when it’s raining, or outdoor lights with motion detectors. …
Caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s, another dementia, or Parkinson’s, whether it’s a spouse or parent, can be stressful, and at times, overwhelming, even on a good day. Too much stress can be harmful to you both. It’s also not uncommon for family caregivers to be so concerned with the needs of the person in their care that they lose sight of their own well-being. …
As we age, we find ourselves requiring different types of help. Medical needs are typically covered by Medicare. But many of us come to need assistance that is nonmedical in nature (e.g., help bathing or dressing). We have to be prepared to pay for this kind of assistance out of pocket, on our own. If you served in the armed forces, Uncle Sam may have resources to help. …
Cohousing is like a retirement community in that it is a group of residents in individual, private domiciles. Plus, there are shared facilities for group activities. What’s different is that retirement communities are created and run by a developer.
Cohousing communities are created by the people who will live in the buildings. All members hold an equal investment—personal and financial—in the process of creating and running the community. Decision making is shared and is usually by consensus. …