Discussing Uncomfortable Aging Topics with a Doctor Talking about health isn’t always an easy thing. Society tends to put emphasis on what is and isn’t “polite conversation,” and almost every etiquette guide advises against discussing bodily functions, uncomfortable symptoms or anything that would make a listener squeamish. It’s rude. It’s embarrassing. It’s better kept to yourself. Unfortunately, these stigmas can creep into situations where topics that would otherwise be kept quiet need to be discussed, especially at the doctor’s office. Read more
Aging Challenges for Older Adults in the LGBT+ Community Individuals in the LGBT+ community have a long history of facing discrimination in the United States, and the effects of prejudice, hostility and mental, emotional and physical harm are felt by all generations of the community, from youths to older adults. Many LGBT+ older adults age into systems that may not fully accept and support them, and may directly or indirectly stand in the way of them getting the physical and mental health assistance they need. Read more
Can a Person with Dementia Live Alone? Recognizing the Need for Support If you are a family member or caregiver of a person with dementia, it can be difficult to decide whether a person who is living alone is actually in need of help. This webinar will discuss questions that caregivers can ask to help assess the situation and help them gauge when and where support is needed. Read more
Dementia: NOT a Normal Part of Aging This webinar addresses the common misconception that dementia is a normal part of aging, a key message of the Dementia Friends USA program. Breaking down misconceptions and stigma around dementia is one of the first steps to building dementia-inclusive communities. Topics presented include definition and types of dementia; how it impacts the brain; comparison of common changes seen in aging vs. early signs of dementia; how dementia is diagnosed, including conditions to rule out; and important next steps after diagnosis. Read more
3 Common Causes of Caregiver Guilt, and How to Manage Them The concept of “caregiver guilt” is an odd one. Providing care for a loved one with a long-term health condition is a wonderful, selfless act, and caregivers undoubtedly devote considerable time and energy to provide the physical, mental and emotional support their loved one requires. And yet, the majority of caregivers report that they frequently experience feelings of guilt. Read more
Self-Identifying as a Caregiver: How the Truth May Actually Set You Free! Are you a caregiver to a loved one? It’s surprising how many of us are quick to answer “no” to that question. Sure, we help a loved one out a few times a week, take them to appointments and do their shopping. But for some reason, the majority of people acting in a caregiver role are hesitant to consider themselves “caregivers.” In fact, according to an AARP Caregiver Identification study, only about 19 percent of caregivers in the country are willing to identify themselves as such. Read more
Tips for Better Communication with a Loved One with Dementia As caregivers, we may find ourselves struggling to communicate with a loved one in the way we used to. It may be difficult to understand what a loved one is trying to say, and in the busyness of everyday life, we may find ourselves growing frustrated and impatient. However, these kinds of feelings may in turn affect a loved one, leading to a communication breakdown and potential relationship strain. To avoid this, it’s important to foster good listening skills, patience and respect. Read more
Why Being Watchful for Signs of Malnutrition in Older Adults Matters Malnutrition is most simply defined as a nutritional imbalance that can potentially affect any person, regardless of weight. Chronic health conditions combined with inadequate nutrition can often negatively impact older adults and prevent their bodies from absorbing the nutrients they need for healthy aging. Depression; social isolation; mental health challenges; embarrassment; lack of food; functional changes that limit the ability to shop for, prepare or even eat food; and financial struggles further increase the risk for malnutrition. Read more
Communicating with Your Loved One: Strategies for Care Partners Impacted by Dementia As an individual goes through their journey with dementia, there are changes that can impact their comprehension and expression. These changes in communication can often cause frustration among care partners. This webinar will share information about the changes some individuals with dementia may experience in communication, and will offer strategies and tips for families to communicate more effectively with a loved one with dementia. Read more
How Caregiver Support Can Combat Rising Stress Levels We all know that caregiving for a loved one can be stressful, but it seems that caregivers may be feeling the strain more than ever before. Nearly two-thirds of family and friend caregivers consider their situation to be moderately-to-highly stressful, according to the recently released Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 report from National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Read more
