Shaping identity: Older adults’ perceived community volunteering experiences in Shanghai This study explores elderly volunteers’ identity during their experiences volunteering in the community in Shanghai. Purposive and snowball sampling strategies were used to recruit elderly volunteers to participate in semi-structured, in-depth interviews (N = 40). Participants developed new identities during volunteering. Through volunteering, they also continued to sustain their professional identities and Chinese Communist Party identities. Volunteering had both positive and negative implications for participants’ identities. Our findings suggest that volunteering strengthened participants’ role identity and social identity to better adapt to life after retirement. Volunteering also helped participants achieve identity continuity. This study offers nuanced sociocultural context to current elderly volunteering research and informs tailored policy and practice development in urban China. Read more
Using Team Meetings to Develop a Dementia Care Strategy for a Loved One An individual with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease often requires a village of caregivers to help take care of their needs during different stages of the disease. Whether they be family caregivers or providers, caregivers must always be vigilant to make sure their loved one is well cared for and protected. Read more
Keeping the Kitchen Safe for a Loved One with Late Stage Dementia The kitchen is the heart of most families' homes. If we have a loved one living with dementia at home, especially in the later stages, we will want to do everything we can to help keep their kitchen as safe as it can be. Read more
What We Can Do About Robocalls The term robocall has been around since the 1990s, but in the last few years, they’ve become an ever-present part of our lives. According to the YouMail Robocall Index, in 2018, 47.8 billion robocalls were placed in the US, and just in the first half of 2019, 34 billion calls were made. You’re not imagining that it’s gotten worse – it has. Read more
Creating Your Own Self-Care Kit It is no secret that self-care can have many benefits to our mental, physical and emotional health. According to research, practicing self-care can decrease stress, improve well-being, lower mortality, increase relaxation responses and decrease healthcare costs. While it can often be challenging to find the time to practice self-care, it is important for us to plan for and look for ways to integrate it when possible. Read more
Decision Making with Your Older Loved One: Choosing a Power of Attorney Agent Establishing a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or Finances can give loved ones the ability to control who makes important health care or financial decisions for them if their physician declares they are no longer able to make these decisions for themselves. Having a Power of Attorney is important because it assures loved ones have someone who can act on their behalf and, ideally, respect their wishes. Read more
Living Well with Arthritis According to the Arthritis Foundation, about 54 million adults have been diagnosed with arthritis. The first signs of arthritis usually begin around age 40 and progress slowly. Women over 50 are more likely to suffer from arthritis symptoms than men. Even dogs, cats and other animals can suffer from the pain of arthritis. Although there is no cure for this disease, there are a variety of techniques and remedies we can use to manage a loved one’s pain and help them maintain an active lifestyle. Read more
Eating Well With Alzheimer’s Eating well is essential to good health, but when we are caring for an older loved one with a memory disorder, it may be challenging to be sure they have access to well-balanced and appetizing meals. It can be a struggle as well to ensure that they are eating these meals when they may be experiencing a loss of appetite or difficulty remembering and sticking to established routines as the illness progresses. As caregivers, it’s important for us to rise to these challenges and find solutions to prioritize nutrition and healthy eating in a loved one’s life as key element of maintaining their overall health. Read more
Holiday Blues and Older Adults The carols tell us that winter “Tis the season to be jolly,” but this can often be easier said than done. Many people get the holiday blues, and older adults are no exception, especially if they have recently received difficult news or are struggling with their health. The holiday season can often trigger memories of loved ones who have passed away as well. When a loved one is feeling blue, it is more important than ever for us to rally around them, help to contribute a positive atmosphere and find ways for them to create fresh and happy memories. Read more
Holiday Gift Giving Tips for an Older Loved One When we're considering gifts for our older loved ones for the holidays, being creative in our choices can help us select a gift with special meaning and value to them. Many older adults have accumulated years' worth of personal possessions, so we don't want to add to the clutter. With a little imagination, we can instead come up with the perfect gift to fit their needs, whether they could use assistance around the house or new ways to stay active. Read more
