How Caregivers Can Help Older Adults Retain Independence Lack or loss of control can be a very frustrating feeling, and it’s one most people have to contend with as they age. A natural reaction to loss of control is resistance. However, for those of us who are caregivers, that resistance can make providing the support a loved one needs challenging. It can feel like having to do daily battle against a loved one’s stubbornness, and as frustration mounts, it can become easy to forget just how much personal freedoms mean to a loved one and how hard it would be for anyone—including us—to give them up. Read more
4 Tips to Help Loved Ones Use Computers and Smartphones For much of the world, computers and smartphones are a necessity in everyday life. But for our older loved ones, these devices can provoke anxiety, hostility and resistance. To some older adults, learning how to use a computer or smartphone can seem like a very daunting task, but there are benefits to embracing technology and using devices. Read more
Ways to Manage Social Isolation The negative impact and detrimental effects of social isolation remain an important topic. The AARP Public Policy Institute’s 2018 study “highlighted social isolation as the new silent killer – a major risk factor for a host of conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and early onset dementia.” AARP defines social isolation as “occur[ing] when people withdraw and become disconnected from family, friends and community” and reports, “… nearly 1 in 5 Americans 65 and older are socially isolated”. Given these startling statistics, what are ways we can reduce our risk and manage social isolation? Read more
