Do I need long-term care insurance?
Q: My husband and I are trying to determine if it would be in our best interest to purchase a long-term care insurance policy. We have seen my elderly mother’s assets plummet over the last few years since she has been paying privately for the care she needs to stay at home. We never would…
Pfizer Employees Participate in Gift Giving for Our Elders
Employees from Pfizer of Andover MA have once again risen to the spirit of holiday giving with their Wish List project. This is the 4th year Elder Services of Merrimack Valley and North Shore has been on the receiving end of the generosity of Pfizer. With the merger of our two agencies, North Shore Elder Services…
Consider ability carefully before taking on full-time caregiving
Q: My elderly mother now requires more care than community services are able to provide in her home. My siblings seem to think since I am retired and widowed I am the logical person to move in with Mom and provide the additional care she needs. I feel like they are all ganging up on…
The Trip I Didn’t Plan – Packing my Bags for Caregiving
Small indicators are often the keys that open caregivers’ eyes to their parents decline. It is a new reality about their aging and no longer being able to manage their lives as before. Many times, it is easier to look the other way and pretend nothing has changed. However, a care crisis will most likely…
Getting rid of the holiday blues
Q: For my entire life my mother has been consistent in making Christmas very special for me. She took great care in decorating the house and buying special presents for everyone. Now due to her dementia I doubt she even realizes Christmas is coming. We are both widowed so I am sure that has added…
5 Quick Tips to Handle the Holidays!
My caregiving journey is challenging, but I do not journey alone, and my best is enough. Family Caregiver Holidays can be wonderful. And, holidays can be stressful – especially if you are a caregiver. Here are five quick tips to help you manage the season. 1. Plan any special events around your routine. When possible,…
Planning for Transitions on the Caregiver Path
The path of caregiving is fraught with twists and turns and ups and downs and most often, unique in and of itself. That path can be challenging in its navigation. John Gormley of Salem officially stepped onto the path of caregiving for his wife Collette 5 plus years ago. A likely diagnosis of Collette’s Alzheimer’s…
To avoid getting caught by surprise, keep regular appointments
Q: My husband was recently rushed to the hospital. His blood sugar level was extremely high and we were informed he had Type 2 diabetes. This had never shown up on any blood tests in the past. I am feeling somewhat guilty and wondering if I just didn’t notice some changes in him. Are there…
The Walsh Family – Standing Up to Alzheimer’s Together
The path of caregiving is fraught with twists and turns and ups and downs and most often, unique in and of itself. That path can be challenging in its navigation. Brendan and Kay Walsh of Salem are facing the uncertainty of their path ahead but they are facing it together. It was August of 2018….
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…
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