How to help homebound adults during flu season
Q: I am a volunteer with my church’s elder visitors program. We have numerous older parishioners who are no longer able to get out and attend Sunday services. One individual I frequently see expressed concern that she hasn’t gotten a flu vaccination as of yet. She is virtually homebound and has no idea of how…
To balance life and caregiving, lean on those around you
Q: Growing up the holidays were always very special with my family. After I married I asked my mother if I could start hosting Thanksgiving at my house. I would spend days working on the menu and getting ready for our extended family to arrive. I am anxious and depressed because I don’t think I…
Family role vital for transition to assisted living facility
Q: My elderly mother will be making the transition from her own home to a memory care unit in an assisted living facility within the next few months. This has been a very heart wrenching decision for me. I have tried my best to keep her in the community but she has deteriorated to the…
Check your Medicare plan each year
Q: Several years ago when my husband and I both retired we signed up for a Medicare plan several of our friends recommended. In the beginning neither of us took prescriptions on a regular basis or had any on-going health conditions so the plan met our needs. Last year my husband’s health started to deteriorate…
What to do when things go missing in a nursing home
Q: My mother was recently placed in a long term care facility because her needs could no longer be met at home. The other day when I visited her she looked very unkempt and was wearing clothes that were not hers. I carefully marked all of the clothes that I brought for her and told…
Menopause doesn’t mean skipping care
Q: My mother who is in her late sixties seems to believe since she has gone through menopause she no longer needs to see a gynecologist for annual exams. She also refuses to have a mammogram which her primary physician recommended. Do you have any information so I can try to change her mind. This…
What to say when it’s time to talk about nursing homes
Q: I read your column regarding what to look for in choosing a nursing home which will be very helpful to me. My problem is I don’t know how to approach this topic with my mother. I am so worried she is going to be angry with me and not have the capacity (due to…
Research is essential in choosing care facility
Q: My 94 year old mother lives out of state in her own home. Her trust has been paying for 24 hour care for over two years. Funds will only last a year or so longer since it is very expensive to keep her at home. Her attorney thinks within a year it will be…
Falls leading cause of injuries for elderly
Q: Several years ago I had a total knee replacement. I thought that would not only resolve severe pain but also put an end to several falls I had been having. Unfortunately I have fallen several times recently and now I am really frightened of a serious injury. I have quite a few friends who…
Should I fear being outside because of EEE, Lyme disease?
Q: I’ve had to give up a lot of the activities I used to enjoy because of arthritis. The one thing I look forward to is planting in my raised garden beds. All the news about the EEE virus and Lyme disease makes me nervous. Should I be fearful about being outside during the warmer…
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