Minding Our Elders®

Tennessee basketball coach Pat Summitt fights Alzheimer’s by creating foundation

Hall of Fame basketball coach Pat Summitt has found a way to put the perfect spin on National Alzheimer's Awareness Month. She, along with her son Tyler, has created a foundation that will offer grants to nonprofit organizations that research Alzheimer's.

Read more about Pat Summitt's work to help raise funds for Alzheimer's research:

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Adult day care for people with Alzheimer's

Spouses and children of people who have been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease often feel neglected by forums, chat groups and even in-person support groups. It's easy to see why, since our greatest risk of developing Alzheimer's disease comes with age. However, there are legions of people who care for spouses or parents who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in their forties or even younger. Adult day care can be a good option for these younger folks, too.

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Mom improves when caregiver’s siblings visit

Dear Carol: My 84-year-old mother's entire personality changes when my siblings visit. She suffered from a traumatic brain injury several years ago. She does quite well if she leads a quiet life, with good rest and not too much activity. However, when my siblings visit occasionally, they stay over a weekend. During their stay, they encourage her to stay up very late with them, drink cocktails, and cook for them. It takes days for her to recuperate after they leave.

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Lonely elders have a higher risk for health problems

Numerous studies show that humans are social creatures and too much isolation can have a negative effect on mental and physical health. Lonely elders are abundant in our society. Though we may not always succeed, we caregivers need to do what we can to encourage them to get out and socialize.

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Old movies, old music: bringing back memories isn’t just about nostalgia

Old movies via DVDs, as well as CDs of big band music or other favorites of our elders’ generation have long been used as a diversionary tactic. Now, Artists for Alzheimer’s (ARTZ) is spotlighting a new way that movies can be used to enhance the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease. ARTZ is a nonprofit based in Woburn, Mass. that creates cultural opportunities for people with dementia and their caregivers.

Read more about old movies helping people with Alzheimer's remember:

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Helping elders remain part of family functions

Caregivers are often torn between wanting their parent, who may live in assisted living, a nursing home or even at home alone, to be a part of family functions, and wondering how they can pull it off. Whether the event is a family wedding or a Christmas celebration, they often think "Grandma would love this." And then? How do we combine taking care of Grandma and attending or creating the function itself? How do we pay attention to the bride and groom, if Grandma needs all of our care? Enter in-home caregivers.

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Study shows “humor therapy” more effective than drugs for some people with Alzheimer’s

While decades ago Norman Cousins made a case for laughter being the best medicine, there hasn't been a lot of research published on how humor can affect a person with Alzheimer's disease. A recent article on the National Institutes of Health site Medlineplus brings us the welcome news that using humor to interact with our elders may improve their health.

Read more about how humor can help people with Alzheimer's and also other aging parents:

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You can help reduce loneliness of elders during the holidays

Elders can have an especially hard time with the holiday season. While aging and maturity can bring the wisdom of years for many people, there are inevitable losses that come to even the most healthy individuals. Many of these losses are emotional and social in nature. Spouses become ill or die. Other aging relatives and friends become seriously ill, or die. Neighborhoods change, often leaving even those well enough to remain in their own homes feeling friendless and isolated. The holidays can bring this isolation and a feeling of loneliness to a head.

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Thanksgiving: finding gratitude in caregiving

 Caring for our aging loved ones can be exhausting, frustrating, demanding and time consuming. Since November marks National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, we’re honoring Alzheimer’s caregivers, but November is also National Caregiver’s Month. Thanksgiving, as another November, holiday reminds me to think of ways that caregiving, tough as it can be, also offers caregivers a time to note the special blessings we’ve received when we are open to recognizing the gifts. After all, caring for one another is, in my view, one of the answers to “why are we here.”

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Be thankful that imperfection is good enough

Dear Readers: Thanksgiving is nearly here. The holiday that is meant to remind us of all we have to be grateful for. However, it can also work against caregivers, increasing their feelings of anxiety and guilt around not doing everything perfectly for everyone who depends on them.

During my sandwich generation years, the feeling of being torn between all of the people I loved was acute. How do I give my kids the kind of holidays kids deserve and still take care of several family elders? Which of the elders would benefit from picking them up at their various locations and transporting them to our home? How do we help them navigate our home’s steps, use the bathroom without embarrassment or discomfort, and take part in the larger context of the family setting? Who among them would only be made more anxious and confused by our attempts to make them part of the traditional family celebration?

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Making holidays special for your elders in any environment

Our heart's desire is to provide a way for our aging parents to enjoy the holidays, but their circumstances can make that challenging. First and foremost, however, remember that it's your presence that is the most important thing. That, and helping your parents to feel included in whatever way they can participate.

Read more about making the holidays special for your loved ones no matter where they live:

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Keeping your sanity during the holiday season

The addition of your parents' ill health was a tipping point between enjoying your holiday season and your current feeling of teetering on the edge of insanity. You seemed to have left your sense of humor at the nursing home when you decorated your mom's room. She didn't recognize you, and she thought you were tearing her house apart to steal her things. Add to that the fact that you are trying to cope with your Dad's partial paralysis and inability to swallow – well, your personal pain level is nearly beyond endurance.

Read about expectations and keeping your sanity during the holidays:

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Adult day care can fill a gap

Early on, when we see our aging parents needing help that we can't offer, we often encourage home maintenance help, and eventually in-home care for health issues. The next step is often one of finding stimulating company for an elder, freeing a well spouse of the elder to go to work, or have time with friends, and providing another resource for backup care. Adult day care can be very good at filling this gap.

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Is it time to take away your elder’s car keys? Alzheimer's Association can help

One of the toughest battles many caregivers face is convincing their elders to quit driving when it’s no longer safe for them to do so. Even after family members realize their elders should no longer be behind the wheel, they often are at a loss as to how to approach their elder about driving cessation. Adult children and spouses of those with dementia know their loved one depends on driving as evidence–both symbolic and practical–of independence. Who wants to take that privilege away from anyone?

Read more about Alzheimer's Association videos that can help you with your conversation:

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Mom moving in gives daughter second thoughts

Dear Carol: My mother has been declining over the last two years so I’ve decided to bring her home to live with me. Years ago, she made me promise never to put her in a nursing home, so I’m trying to follow her wishes.

I’m not married and haven’t got children, so it seemed logical that I could take care of her. However, I love my job though it’s very time consuming. I’m suddenly second-guessing myself. I find I am very stressed and getting depressed about this change.

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Open Enrollment: Time to check your parents' Medicare plans

If you handle Medicare for your parents, you are likely aware that we are now in the middle of what is called the open enrollment period. Even if your parents handle their own Medicare, you may want to discuss this with them. Since Thanksgiving is approaching, you may at least have time for a general chat about Medicare during the family gathering. You'll still have time to help them make changes in their Medicare choices if that's necessary.

Open enrollment is when people can make changes in their Medicare plans and the providers they've chosen for Medicare D prescription drug coverage. It's also the time to add or change a supplemental plan and/or Medicare Advantage.

Read more about open enrollment and your parents' Medicare plans:

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Hygiene Issues for Elders – Q&A

Dear readers: I'm so frequently asked about bathing issues - both because of health and safety for elders - that I agreed to running this guest post. There are some excellent tips I feel you'll find helpful, so read on:

Many caregivers are reluctant to discuss hygiene issues for elders, but it’s an important topic.  Hygiene habits affect both health and safety. 

Lack of privacy, poor balance and incontinence all factor into the challenges caregivers face.  Poor balance and slick surfaces can make for an unsafe environment for bathing.  According to the CDC, over 80 percent of bathroom injuries are due to falls.  Other elders may feel confident with balance, but avoid situations when they need to ask for help because they will not have privacy.  In the face of these challenges, there are a few common questions caregivers should ask when it comes to their loved one’s hygiene:

What can I do when a loved one doesn’t want help?

If your elder loved one is either afraid or embarrassed about hygiene assistance, don’t force it on them. Instead, try bathing alternatives like no-rinse, disposable bathing cloths. This approach helps seniors stay more independent and get clean without stepping into a shower where poor balance can result in falls. Prepackaged bathing cloths do not need water and can be used in the privacy of the bedroom.

How can I protect my loved one’s sensitive skin?

As we age, our skin becomes more sensitive to irritants and dry skin. Furthermore, some bathing products may include ingredients that actually alter skin’s natural pH and can dry out the skin even more. It’s important to pay close attention to the label and check the ingredients. Products with moisturizers containing aloe and vitamin E protect the skin against harsh environmental conditions. Also, products deemed “hypoallergenic” have been tested for any common chemical irritants.

How can I prevent skin irritation and breakdown caused by incontinence?

Incontinence is an issue some caregivers avoid discussing, yet it affects 13 million people. Simplifying incontinence care can help caregivers provide the best care possible and reduce skin irritation.  After an incontinence episode, it’s important to cleanse the skin immediately, and equally important to protect the skin.  It’s easiest to assure both steps are complete with all-in-one cloths that clean the skin and lay down a protective barrier cream in one fell swoop.

Personal hygiene is essential to staying in good health. When elder need help, caregivers can find ways to make hygiene care comfortable and easy for both the senior and the caretaker.

This post is contributed by Sage Products.  Sage Products gives older adults and their family members access to their leading personal care products nurses and hospitals trust most.

Read contracts before signing on for assisted living

When adult children or others are suddenly thrown into helping their elderly loved ones, they often see the need for outside help. Because the responsibility of personally providing care or finding good paid care is emotional, we often dive into the task with our brains disengaged. Then, down the road, we find we have moved our loved one into assisted living while we expected the skilled care a nursing home offers. We can be angry, but we need to be realistic. Did we read the contract to see what the home provides?

Read contracts before signing on for assisted living:

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Mood, cognitive ability improve in people with dementia after cataract surgery

After reading a report – the first of its kind – on how cataract surgery can benefit people with Alzheimer's disease, I wrestled with some personal guilt. My dad didn’t have AD, but he did have dementia induced by a failed brain surgery. Before his surgery, Dad’s sight was poor at best. The fact that he also had cataracts was known, but after the brain surgery threw him into severe dementia, his cataracts became a minor problem. Or so the doctors thought.

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5 Reasons Why Assisted Living May Be the Best Solution for Your Loved One

Elders often say they want to stay in their own homes. They've lived there for decades and see no reason to move. However, many times their neighborhoods have changed so much that they are no longer safe. Even if the neighborhoods are safe, many of the old neighbors have died or moved away, and the elders become isolated. Many times a move to assisted living can give elders a new lease on life.

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