August 11th is Annual Medical Checkup Day, a day to recognize the significance of yearly checkup visits – especially for aging loved ones. Now that Medicare covers most of the tests and examinations that should be performed during these appointments, there is no excuse for not having a thorough annual medical checkup. Scheduling at least a once-a-year checkup ensures that you will have a baseline to compare your numbers to after experiencing symptoms [...]

Social isolation in seniors is a very real issue – even before the pandemic.... As human beings, we are social animals and have relied on our social networks for survival throughout time.  As we age, these social networks contract for various reasons – including but not limited to: organic reasons (longtime friend/spouse passed away); intentional (do not like their political views); misunderstandings; lack of energy required to maintain relationships; etc. “If one is [...]

Taking on the responsibility of caring for multiple generations of family members from young to old is a stressful and taxing task, emotionally and financially. These individuals are commonly known as the “sandwich generation”, stuck ‘sandwiched’ between their parents, children, and – for some – even grandparents.  Financial Toll The number of members in the sandwich generation is growing rapidly year to year, and so is the financial burden associated with caring for [...]

June is Dementia Care Professionals Month – a time to recognize all dementia-specific caregivers for the many sacrifices they make along their journeys. Being a caregiver for an individual living with dementia takes extreme generosity and patience. Loved ones who take on this responsibility are not always trained adequately for the job, which leads to overall health and financial complications – 1 in 2 loved ones report their finances or career being negatively [...]

Summer months, along with warmer weather, are just around the corner. It’s a time to get outside and have fun, adventure, and get some much needed relaxation. Unfortunately for senior adults and their caregivers, this can also be a stressful time because of the dangers of heat, humidity, and sun exposure. As we continue to age, we become more susceptible to these conditions, making it harder to enjoy the relaxing summer months. However, [...]

Cyber security is a huge threat. Hackers and scammers are targeting our industry and your clients. You, as our aides, are charged with caring for our clients and their most intimate details. When we first helped you log into ClearCare we assigned you a very simple password. These passwords are now vulnerable. You MUST update your password to something much stronger. Passwords must be at least 12 characters. This can be numbers, letters or [...]

Aging can present numerous challenges for individuals and their families, causing more stress and health issues for those struggling to adjust. In addition to traditional therapies to assist these aging adults, many seniors are also getting involved in creative, alternative therapies like music, art, and even pet therapy. These programs provide additional benefits above and beyond what the traditional therapies can provide. Music Therapy Listening to your favorite tune has the power to [...]

At just 20 years old, Nathan Kottkamp took control of his life and his future by completing his own Advance Directive. Completing this type of documentation is quite unusual for someone so young, but through education and his work with a healthcare decisions advocacy group, he felt empowered to take this step for his future self. When we are young and in seemingly good health, it can make it difficult to think about, [...]

Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies are both devastating degenerative brain diseases. Neurodegenerative disorders are incurable conditions that cause gradual deterioration of nerve cells and parts of the brain. As these diseases progress and attack the nervous system and brain, individuals may begin to lose the ability to properly speak, move, balance, feel sensation, and a host of others. Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies are often thought to [...]

People often discuss the negative aspects of caregiving, but it isn’t often that we hear about the many benefits. Although caring for another person can be stressful and require sacrifices to be made, it can also be very rewarding. According to a recent survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center, 83% of caregivers say their experiences have been positive and have offered a multitude of benefits.  The following benefits help caregivers love [...]