As a family caregiver it can feel strange to have to ask others for help.  However, in order to be a successful caregiver, it is required you find help so you do not experience caregiver burnout. Surprisingly though…most people who are approached to help are often very pleased to be asked.  Typically friends, family and neighbors do want to help, but they do not know what is needed and do not want to interfere.  Once you ask for help, you… Read the rest

Living in an intergenerational family was once just a part of life.  Unfortunately, as our culture has evolved so has our family dynamics.  Families are now much more dispersed; younger generations move away for school and job opportunities, boomer adults down size and move away to active senior living communities.  Often grandchildren rarely get to know their grandparents the way we did 20 or 30 years ago.   Laurie Orlov with Aging in Place Technology Watch, talks about new technologies,… Read the rest

Good Foot Care is Critical for Seniors
Good foot care is especially important for seniors who have circulation problems, arthritis, nerve issues or diabetes.  For seniors it can be difficult to maintain good foot care.  As we all have experienced, the older we get the more challenging it is to reach our toes and lift up our feet due to mobility, flexibility and balance issues.  It is always amazing to see babies suck on their toes and flip the tiny… Read the rest

Many older adults become more and more sedentary with age.  According to the American College of Sports Medicine the top 5 reasons are:

Avoiding aches and pains. Movement can become more painful with age.
Convenience. Just think of how many drive up windows there are in your life, banking, dinner, prescriptions.
Sedentary Entertainment. Television, video games, the internet.
Disease. Chronic illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes can limit activity.
Injury. Obvious but rehabilitation may help.

But,… Read the rest

Self-monitoring and lifestyle changes are key strategies for successful diabetic care.  This includes modifications to a person’s daily diet, physical activity, medications, and personal-care and hygiene.   However, it can be especially difficult for seniors to make lifestyle changes on their own.  This is a real issue because diabetes is most prevalent in seniors, affecting about 25% of people 65 and older.  Surprisingly, studies have shown most people are unaware of the long term complications associated with diabetes and are poorly… Read the rest

From October 25th to November 30th we will be writing on the issue of living with and managing Diabetes in the senior years. This will coincide in part with the American Diabetes Association November Awareness Month, but we are kicking off a bit earlier to help caregivers prepare for Halloween.
At SarahCare® we see the struggle with this far too common disease every day in our adult day care centers, both for our family caregivers and their aging loved ones. … Read the rest