How Older Adults Can Navigate Cold, Flu and COVID Season Winter months are notorious for an increase in illnesses like the common cold, flu and COVID-19. Older adults in particular are at a higher risk of severe complications from these illnesses due to existing chronic conditions and age-related changes in immunity. With proper preparation and quick action, however, older adults can stay safe and healthy during the season. Read more
Medicare’s GUIDE Program Improves Dementia Care for Families For families caring for someone with dementia, a groundbreaking program from Medicare has been introduced that could dramatically improve the medical and support services you receive – at no cost to you. Called Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE), this program recognizes the needs of families dealing with dementia and provides Medicare-covered medical and support services to provide individualized assistance. Read more
Aging in Place: Know Your Housing Options Our FREE Aging in Place: Know Your Housing Options course is designed to assess our homes for safety, accessibility, and affordability; explore ways to use home equity to stay in our homes; and discover housing options. This course is a three-part series. This registration is for the following days, from 1:00-2:30 PM: February 4 (Tues) February... Read more
Financial Education Workshops Benjamin Rose, a HUD-approved housing and financial counseling agency, provides a variety of free workshops and counseling services. Our financial workshops are a five-part series. This registration is for the following days, from 2:00-3:00 PM: February 24 (Mon) February 25 (Tues) February 26 (Wed) February 27 (Thurs) February 28 (Fri) Recognizing & Avoiding Elder Financial... Read more
Financial Education Workshops Benjamin Rose, a HUD-approved housing and financial counseling agency, provides a variety of free workshops and counseling services. Our financial workshops are a five-part series. This registration is for the following days, from 2:00-3:00 PM: January 27 (Mon) January 28 (Tues) January 29 (Wed) January 30 (Thurs) January 31 (Fri) Recognizing & Avoiding Elder Financial... Read more
Characteristics of People Who Hoard: A Closer Look at the Behavior and Its Impacts Hoarding is a complex behavioral condition that goes beyond simply collecting items. It is often associated with emotional distress, difficulties in decision-making and impaired social and functional abilities. Read more
Signs of Hoarding Behavior: Identifying the Indicators and Understanding the Impact Hoarding is often difficult to detect until it reaches an advanced stage, as individuals may attempt to hide or manage their behaviors. However, certain signs and patterns can indicate the presence of hoarding tendencies, particularly when they begin to affect daily life and living conditions. Read more
Treating Hoarding Behavior in Older Adults: A Guide for Caregivers and Family Members Hoarding is a complex and challenging behavior that often requires specialized treatment. It’s important to understand that simply cleaning up the hoarded items will not resolve the underlying issues. Effective intervention involves a combination of emotional support, mental health care, and gradual change. For caregivers and family members of an older adult who hoards, here’s how you can approach treatment in a way that supports your loved one’s long-term well-being. Read more
Hoarding Clutter Image Rating Scale The Clutter Image Rating (CIR) Scale is a visual tool developed by International OCD Foundation to help assess the severity of clutter in different areas of a home—specifically the living room, kitchen, and bedroom. It features a series of images ranked from 1 (least cluttered) to 9 (most cluttered), allowing professionals, family members, and individuals to objectively identify and communicate the extent of clutter. This scale is especially helpful in recognizing potential safety or health risks associated with hoarding behaviors. To use it, compare the space in question with the images and select the number that most closely matches the current level of clutter. Read more
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder and Its Impact on Older Adults As the days grow shorter and sunlight becomes scarce, many people experience a change in their mood and energy levels in winter. For some, these changes are more severe and have a greater impact on their everyday life, a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This form of depression, linked to seasonal changes—particularly the change from summer to fall/winter—affects millions of people annually, including a significant number of older adults. Read more
