Articles
May 15, 2012
Finding the Right Home Health Care
Deciding to bring a home health care professional into your home is an important decision. Selecting the right caregiver can be very challenging and stressful for those involved. Knowing the right que... Read More
May 08, 2012
CareFamily: From Dream to Reality
For years I have watched caregivers across the country struggle with trying to live on minimum wage. And I have seen families who don’t want to or can't pay the premium fees of an agency take risks by... Read More
May 02, 2012
Tips for Interviewing Potential Caregivers for Elder Care
You have identified your need for a caregiver and now you are ready to find the right one for your situation. Doing a little pre-interview preparation and then asking the right interview questions wil... Read More
April 30, 2012
How to Select Caregivers to Interview
You have taken the first step—deciding that now is the right time to hire a paid caregiver. And now you are sifting through the list of potential candidates. But how do you narrow down your choices to... Read More
April 23, 2012
Helping Mom Care for Dad: 4 Ways to Help a Parent Avoid Caregiver Burnout
It is a little known fact but after a senior has major medical event (like a fall or heart attack) the primary caregiver often experiences a greater decline in their health than the patient. While the... Read More
April 12, 2012
Senior Care 2015 - The Future is Fast Approaching
There is a perfect storm emerging when it comes to senior care in America. Due to a convergence of circumstances in our society, I believe the US senior care industry, and how care is delivered, will ... Read More
April 10, 2012
Senior Tantrums and Meltdowns – part 2
In Part 1 of Senior Tantrums and Meltdowns we discussed why the elderly have meltdowns (diminished physical capacity, diminished mental capacity, and medication) and how to prevent meltdowns (encourag... Read More
April 09, 2012
4 Cutting Edge Technologies that will Change the Face of Caregiving
Over the next few years the senior care industry will experience rapid changes in technology that will aid care. The rapid changes are due in part to several factors: we are seeing a huge growth in th... Read More
March 16, 2012
Senior Tantrums and Meltdowns, part 1
Every day at noon Martha always sits with her mom to watch the afternoon weather forecast; it was a tradition her mom always enjoyed and started many years ago after her husband passed away. But today... Read More
March 08, 2012
International Women's Day
Today we celebrate International Women’s Day (FYI: it has been celebrated in the US since 1909). The day serves as a great reminder of all that women have accomplished over the past 100+ years. But pe... Read More
March 01, 2012
5 Tips for Accompanying Seniors on Doctor Visits
Accompanying seniors on doctor visits is an important part of the caregiver role. And even if the senior you love is still self-sufficient, you may find it very beneficial to accompany them on appoint... Read More
February 28, 2012
Convincing a Parent to Use a Walker or Cane
Do you worry that your parent or loved one might be at risk for falling due to being unstable? Have you tried to convince your loved one to use an assistive device, such as a cane or walker, and been ... Read More
February 27, 2012
Aging Eyes May be the Cause of Many Ailments Associated with Aging
As we age the lens of our eyes gradually yellow and our pupils narrow. As this happens, less and less sunlight can penetrate the lens to reach the key areas of the eye. Studies are now showing that th... Read More
February 24, 2012
Sleep Deprivation for Home Health Aides
If you are a caregiver you probably already know this fact from first-hand experience, the researchers from Sleepy’s, the mattress chain, found that home health aides had the most sleep deprived occup... Read More
February 23, 2012
Staying Hydrated
Stay Hydrated to Stay Sharp Your sudden crankiness might indicate that you need a tall glass of water. New research from the University of Connecticut’s Human Performance Lab indicates that even mild ... Read More
February 22, 2012
Discussing Death and Life Expectancy
We all know it’s coming, but we don’t like acknowledging it as it approaches: all life ends in death. Often times we want to be like an ostrich and shove our head in the sand when conversation gets to... Read More
February 20, 2012
Judi Dench: Spotlight on Macular Degeneration
Dame Judi Dench just announced that she suffers from macular degeneration. The Oscar winning, British actress, best known for her roles as M in James Bond and Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love,... Read More
February 17, 2012
Eldercare is a Corporate Issue
As an executive or a small business owner, are you aware of the impact that caring for our aging population has on your business? The statistics are interesting: - In the US approximately 35 percent... Read More
February 15, 2012
5 Quick Tips for Creating a Caregiver Resume
1. Focus on the Client Keep the focus on how you can help your future employer not on what you desire from a position. You want future employers to notice how you can help them. 2. Showcase Your Car... Read More
February 14, 2012
The Importance of Physical Intimacy for the Elderly
Intimacy, that closeness and familiarity that is the hallmark of love and friendship, is critical for humans from the time we are born and our mothers cradle us in their arms. As we age, our need for ... Read More
January 02, 2012
Long Term Care
About 70% of individuals over the age of 65 need some form of long-term care throughout their lifetime and more than 40% need care inside an elderly care facility for a much longer time period. What ... Read More
December 23, 2011
Caregiver Burnout
Those most vulnerable to caregiver burnout are the care providers themselves – whether it be a family member or a paid caregiver, caregiver burnout can affect anyone. If you allow the stress of caregi... Read More
December 15, 2011
Transitioning a Parent with Dementia to Assisted Living
I received a great question recently in our Ask an Expert forum from one of our readers, Mark. Mark is struggling with how he should care for his aging father suffering with dementia. Moreover, how sh... Read More
December 12, 2011
Guide to a Speedy Recovery
credit: Christian Broadcasting Network Hospital stays can be uncomfortable, daunting and incredibly inconvenient. More often than not, surgery itself is over and done with fairly quickly, whereas th... Read More
December 12, 2011
Planning Successful Surgery
credit: Christian Broadcasting Network Finding the Right Surgeon When it comes time to select a surgeon for your operation, be sure to choose wisely. Unlike a primary care physician, you likely will... Read More
December 08, 2011
Bye-Bye Class Act
Bye-Bye Class Act Very few Americans realize that for a short period of time they were going to be eligible for government run long term care insurance but that ended on October 20. Long term care in... Read More
December 08, 2011
Finding the Right Doctor - Christian Broadcasting Network
credit: Christian Broadcasting Network Selecting a Doctor Michael F. Roizen, M.D. of the Cleveland Clinic shares the steps you should take to go about the process of selecting a primary care physici... Read More
December 08, 2011
Medication and Technology - Christian Broadcasting Network
credit: Christian Broadcasting Network The New Age of Electronic Prescriptions is Here Did you know 20% of doctors are using electronic prescriptions to prevent errors made in medication distributio... Read More
December 01, 2011
Introduction
Family and Seniors are the heartbeat of all we do at CareFamily.com. They’re the reason we created this website, and why I write this blog filled with personal insights into the senior healthcare indu... Read More
November 28, 2011
Medication Management
Have you ever forgotten to take your daily multi-vitamin? I have to admit that between making sure the kids are ready for school and shuffling off to work, it’s often not a high priority on my list of... Read More
November 28, 2011
Managing your Medications
Proper medication management is vitally important for seniors’ daily care, over-all health and well-being. According to the Federal Drug Administration, medication misuse often causes falls, moodiness... Read More
November 28, 2011
Preventing Falls
Falls among seniors are very common, increasing their risk for broken bones, head injuries and other bodily trauma. Studies show that the risk of falling increases with age, and that two-thirds of peo... Read More
November 28, 2011
Taking the Car Keys
One of the most difficult experiences in a senior’s life is when their car keys are taken away because they can no longer safely drive. They feel a tremendous loss of personal independence, and connec... Read More
November 28, 2011
Long Term Care Insurance
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, long-term care insurance specifically covers the costs of long-term care services, most of which are not covered by traditional health in... Read More
November 28, 2011
Reverse Mortgages
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a reverse mortgage is a special type of home loan that allows the home owner (who must be age 62 or older) to convert a portion of th... Read More
November 28, 2011
Extra Dollars for Care
The little-known Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension (A & A) may be a source of financial assistance for your senior loved one. Veterans, and their spouse (or widow/widower,) may qualify for this bene... Read More
November 28, 2011
Managing a Hospital Stay
Knowing what to do before entering the hospital can often be as important as what happens while in the hospital. Although there are wonderful and dedicated staff members there to care for you, they ar... Read More
November 28, 2011
Legal Must-Have Documents
When an emergency happens, many seniors are often without the most important legal documents that they need to protect themselves and their families. Perhaps the documents were prepared sometime in th... Read More
November 28, 2011
Communicating with Parents
Speaking with an elderly parent whom you believe needs care or assistance can be very difficult, especially if they are resistant to the idea. They may feel strong and healthy enough to care for thems... Read More