It is important in communicating with someone who has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, to know the words they have always used for a room like the toilet – did they say “powder room”, “bathroom”, ”can” or another? If your family member is going into a care center, retirement community or dementia care facility and Read More
Leaving Messages for Seniors
When you are leaving a telephone message for a senior, remember to speak “slowly and distinctly” (those are actually words from my 88 year old mother’s answering machine). Those who have trouble hearing might need you to say your name and phone number slowly at the beginning of the message and then, after you have Read More
Senior, Elder or Older Adult: What do you want to be called when you are 55 or 65 years old?
We have a tendency to lump age groups together. We name groups “toddlers” or “teens”, which make common sense. Some individuals in our society who are over the age of 55 are annoyed if you call them senior or elder. I remember leaving a shopping trip at a local store thinking that they didn’t charge Read More
Staying Connected Equals Staying Sharp
My Aunt Frances turned 100 this past January. She is the eldest of four girls, including my mom, who all predeceased her. A fun topic of discussion in my family is about the fact that she took her social security early, at 62, not knowing if she would live to the age of 65! She Read More
The Knock on the Door & Mom’s Purse is gone…Tell your Aging family members not to open the door to strangers!
Elder abuse is rising. Even though my mother is bright and doing well living alone, which she prefers, she is a target just because of her age! Mom is almost 88 and out and about going to clubs and driving friends around. She lives in a major urban city and has since her birth. The Read More
5 Simple Rules to Happiness
This was given by a 92 year old client to a Care Manager in the mid-west: “Remember the five simple rules to be happy: 1. Free your heart from hatred. 2. Free your mind from worries. 3. Live simply. 4. Give more. 5. Expect less.”
