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. …
It’s Falls Prevention Awareness Week. With Fall officially starting this Wednesday, it’s a great reminder to review the common causes of falls as well as what we can do to lower our risk, prevent injury, and stay out of the emergency department.
A recent national poll on healthy aging conducted by the University of Michigan suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to a decline in physical activity and functioning among older adults. Declines in physical condition and mobility can increase the risk for falls. …
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.
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Should It Stay or Should It Go? Making Peace with Our ‘Stuff’Read More »
“A team is not a group of people that work together. A team is a group of people that trust each other.” ~ Simon Sinek
Happy Birthday to us! Eighteen years ago today, Lisa Mayfield launched Aging Wisdom as a solo practitioner in care management.
Aging Wisdom started with the vision of helping individuals and families navigate unexpected health changes and crises, as well as to help guide families to common ground when they might not agree on the best approach to supporting an older loved one. …
Having concerns about a loved one’s well-being, especially when they are older, is normal. Have you noticed some changes? Is there something that seems off or unusual, perhaps atypical to your loved one’s usual demeanor, behavior, or personality?
Changes and adjustments are normal for all of us during our lifespan, but sometimes they warrant a closer look. Striking the right balance between fostering independence, respecting autonomy, and ensuring safety can be a struggle for those of us who are part of an older adult’s life. …
When imagining an age-friendly house, many people think of ramps for wheelchairs and walkers. Indeed, ramps are essential—if and when they are needed. There are, however, modifications for the outside of a home that simply make daily life and basic maintenance easier. They help prevent falls by addressing the common conditions of arthritis, poor eyesight, or limited balance.
Some safety suggestions also deter thieves. …
In Counting on Kindness: The Dilemmas of Dependency, author Wendy Lustbader takes a deep dive into the world of older adults who, through illness or disability, are dependent on others for survival. First published in 1991, Counting on Kindness is as relevant today as it was then—perhaps even more so considering the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Lustbader shares in the preface, “The chief consequence of dependency is that we are forced to count on the kindness of others.”
As independent as we may think we are, the past 16-plus months have helped many of us recognize how interdependent and dependent we are on the kindness of others. …
From Independence to Interdependence: Counting on the Kindness of OthersRead More »
If you have more than one child, deciding how to distribute your assets among them may prompt some angst: If and how should your will or trust reflect your understanding of their different needs? According to a Merrill Lynch study, two-thirds of parents over age 55 are open to the idea of unequal bequests.
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Recent weather and above-average, record breaking temperatures have me wondering if I drink enough liquid, especially water. The human adult body is approximately 55 to 60 percent water. Staying hydrated is essential to our health and helping our bodies function optimally.
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Hydration: How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day?Read More »
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the medical name for memory problems that exceed the “normal forgetfulness of aging” but are less than associated with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. If you have received a diagnosis of MCI, you are at risk for continued significant cognitive decline. Each year about 10–15% of persons with MCI receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, as compared to 1–3% of all older adults. …
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and what you can doRead More »