Caring for the Long Haul: How to Stay Healthy and Balanced as a Long-Term Caregiver Long-term caregiving is often an act of deep love, but it is also one of the strongest predictors of stress, burnout and social isolation if caregivers don’t receive the support they need. When a loved one has a long life expectancy but rising care needs, caregivers face a unique challenge: how do you sustain care without sacrificing your own health, identity and future? Read more
What to Do When Medical Costs Compete with Daily Living Expenses Should I pay my utility bills this month, or for my prescription medicine? It’s an all-too-familiar and heartbreaking scenario for many older adults. With inflation driving up household and medical costs, older Americans often find themselves caught in a painful trade-off—paying for heat or electricity vs. filling a prescription or seeing a specialist. Read more
Supporting Older Adults Living with Mental Illness Mental Illness Awareness Week, recognized each October, is a time to raise awareness about mental health conditions and how they impact people of all ages. While mental illness is more often discussed in the context of younger adults, it’s important to remember that older adults also face unique challenges related to mental health. According to... Read more
Helping with Hoarding Cleanup: A Guide for Caregivers and Family Caring for an older adult who hoards can be an overwhelming and emotionally taxing experience. Hoarding is often a deeply ingrained behavior that can significantly impact the individual’s physical and mental well-being, as well as the safety of their living environment. If you're a family member or caregiver of an older adult who hoards, it's essential to approach the situation with care and understanding, both for their well-being and your own. Read more
How Caregivers Can Advocate for Older Loved Ones in the Health Care System If your loved one has received a diagnosis that requires extensive care, it’s inevitable that various health care systems, from their primary care provider to specialists who assist with disease-specific treatments. And while it can feel empowering to have experts on your loved one’s care team, if you have concerns about the quality of care your loved one is receiving or the way they’re being treated by the staff that works with them, it can also make you feel powerless. If something feels off, who do you turn to for help? Read more
Managing Life After a Serious Diagnosis Hearing a diagnosis of a serious disease or chronic condition—such as cancer, dementia, Parkinson’s or advanced heart disease—can be one of the most overwhelming moments in a person’s life. For many older adults and their caregivers, the moment is followed by what some describe as “diagnose and adios,” where medical staff provide the diagnosis but little in the way of ongoing guidance or support. Suddenly, you’re left with questions, uncertainty and a need to navigate unfamiliar territory without a clear map. Read more
Why Should Young People Care About Aging Issues? Aging issues span much more than hearing aids and reading glasses. They include financial, social, mental and emotional struggles that often get overlooked, especially in the populations who deem themselves “unaffected.” Young people often do not realize that the issues that affect older populations have a lot to do with them, too. Read more
Recognizing and Treating Sleep Apnea in Older Adults Does your loved one snore at night? Are they often drowsy during the day? Have they developed balance issues, slower thinking, or experienced anxiety or depression? These symptoms may point to more than just aging—they could be signs of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), most commonly known as obstructive sleep apnea. Read more
Planning Ahead: Why Housing is Key to Aging Securely When we think about aging, we often focus on health, retirement savings and estate planning. But one of the most important and overlooked factors in aging securely is housing. Where we live as we grow older plays a huge role in our physical and financial stability and emotional well-being. Yet many people don’t consider the long-term impact of their housing decisions until it’s too late. Read more
Identifying and Addressing Food Insecurity in Older Loved Ones As a caregiver, you want to ensure your loved one is not only safe and comfortable, but also well-nourished. Yet for many older adults, consistent access to nutritious food can be a challenge. Food insecurity—the lack of reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food—affects millions of older adults across the country. According to Feeding America, approximately 1 in 14 seniors faces food insecurity. Read more
