Understanding the Impact of the Older Americans Act May marks a significant celebration for the nation's older adults—Older Americans Month. This yearly observance, established in 1963, is more than just a month-long recognition; it's a celebration of the invaluable contributions and wisdom of older Americans, as well as a commitment to improving their quality of life through important services. Read more
Finding the Dementia Support Programs You Need Caring for someone living with dementia is challenging on so many levels. For most of us, there are aspects to providing care that require skills, training and education we feel we just don’t have. There are aspects to disease education and managing behaviors that are difficult to know. And there is also the stress and strain of providing care -- which for many of us is something we do on top of working and having a family of our own. Read more
How Older Adults can Engage in Lifelong Learning Receiving a diploma doesn’t have to mean the end of education. Lifelong learning is a concept that upholds continuous and self-motivated personal and professional development throughout one's life, long after graduating from compulsory education. There’s no age that doesn’t benefit from a little extra knowledge, but older adults in particular should remember that it’s never too late to learn something they never knew before. Engaging in lifelong learning has many benefits for older adults, including enhancing cognitive function, improving quality of life and encouraging self-growth. Here are some ways you can engage in lifelong learning, and why it matters for older adults to keep expanding their minds no matter how many years pass! Read more
Free Online Directory Helps Caregivers in Underserved Populations Access Dementia Support Programs Best Programs for Caregiving, a newly-introduced online directory of evidence-based dementia caregiver support programs is making big strides in helping to expand both awareness and availability of top-rated programming in underserved rural and remote areas across the country. Difficult-to-access geographies are a real concern to the medical and social service organizations, and many recent initiatives have been devoted to addressing these underserved areas of the aging population. This is particularly true in the case of people living with dementia and their family and friend caregivers for a number of reasons. Read more
The Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Older Adults and How Caregivers Can Help In many cultures, alcohol consumption is so engrained in social rituals that not drinking seems much stranger to people than frequently drinking. However, alcohol is never without its risks, and this is especially true for older people. Older adults are much more vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol than younger people due to age-related changes to their bodies, medication interactions and other health conditions. And though reckless drinking is an issue most people associate with younger people, older adults, especially those in the 55-64 range, are more at risk of alcohol-induced deaths than any other age category, according to data from the CDC. Read more
Practical Tips for Aging in Place with Mobility Aids Aging in place with the support of mobility aids requires a holistic approach that encompasses understanding the challenges, selecting the right aids, making essential home modifications, creating a age-friendly living space, and utilizing caregiver assistance along with financial and community resources. By implementing these practical tips, older adults can maintain their independence and quality of life in the comfort of their own homes. Read more
Navigating the Path: A Guide for New Dementia Caregivers Becoming a caregiver for a loved one with dementia is a profound and, at times, overwhelming journey. It's a role that comes with many responsibilities and challenges, and requires careful planning. If you've recently become a dementia caregiver, here's what you can expect and some recommendations to help you along the way. Read more
Understanding Glaucoma: A Guide for Caregivers of Older Adults Ensuring the well-being of older adults involves comprehensive care, and one aspect often overlooked is eye health. Glaucoma, a progressive eye disorder leading to optic nerve damage and potential blindness, is a significant concern, especially among older adults. As a caregiver, it's crucial to integrate glaucoma testing into the care plan, given its prevalence and potential severity. Read more
Navigating Strokes, from Recognition to Recovery The brain, despite weighing a mere three pounds, serves as the body's mastermind, orchestrating complex functions from speech to movement. But as hardworking as it is, the brain is vulnerable to internal injuries known as strokes or "brain attacks," placing both it and its owner at risk. Strokes, the third leading cause of death in the US, can occur at any age but are more prevalent among older individuals. Read more
Decoding Dementia’s Genetic Connections Dementia affects millions of individuals globally. While age, not genetics, is the primary risk factor, there's growing evidence that genetics can indeed play a role in determining an individual's susceptibility to certain types of dementia. Read more
