 Theodore Roosevelt knew what he was talking about when he said, “Old age is like anything else. To be good at it, you need to start young”. Speaking with our parents about aging is never easy. Acknowledging that our once active parents are starting to slow down and may need assistance stirs up complex emotions. We worry, we are afraid and we feel guilty that we’re not doing enough. What happens when dad can’t drive anymore?
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Summer’s coming and the heat is on! Good news for beach goers, sun worshippers and those looking for a little extra dose of Vitamin D to make up for a long winter of indoor living.
 Falls are the leading cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, loss of independence and injury-related deaths among people over 65.
First, the good news: Most seniors who are psychologically sound and physically active, will survive their injuries. After a period of limited movement and physical therapy, they will likely go back to being independent. The bad news is that seniors who sustain one serious fall are at increased risk of falling again. For the benefit of those who haven't faced a "fall" crisis, let me share a few things to consider.  A new study has shown singing show tunes has helped increase cognitive abilities of people who have dementia.
 Home is where the heart resides. Structures that have protectedfamilies, engrossed the happiness and confidences of children, sheltered mementos and seen the emotional sustenance of family dinners. Homes like this are filled with life. Thus, when an event occurs where the home must be sold, the process can be difficult. Within my own family, my grandmother moved into a senior community. It took our Grammy nearly a year to emotionallydetach from the home she treasured, and where she had loved and raised a family.  A frequent challenge for children of seniors who are beginning to fail is how to help them with their finances without taking away their autonomy or getting into a tug-of-war over the issue. Concerns often arise when visiting children find that bills have not been paid, papers are in disorder, or even that utilities have been cut off. It's not unusual to find parents defrauded by predators or going on a spree on the Home Shopping Network.
 As highlighted in a recent article in The New York Times, an increasing number of seniors who need assistance are receiving that care from other seniors. Most commonly the caregivers are the spouses of the care recipients, but older paid providers are a close second.
 Sometimes, the changing patterns of a loved one's behavior are barely noticeable, until, in one moment, they are all you can see. For me, it was during the holidays,  November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Caregiver Month. During this month it is a great time to reflect back on all the hard work and blessings that caregivers provide.
 In today’s society there is constantly a lot of activity going on. Many people are so busy that they don’t even have time to reflect on their own day. As it is November and the year is coming to a close, this a great time to reflect on the year. This is a time where you can reflect on your accomplishments and see how much you have truly achieved over the year. Here are a few questions to help you reflect, appreciate and get excited for 2017.
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Daja PrinceChange your thoughts and you change your world. Archives
January 2018
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