Q. I live in Northern Virginia, 700 miles away from my parents, who are in Florida. My father has Parkinson’s and insists on staying in our family home. His mobility has diminished, and I worry about him falling nearly every day. I cannot move closer because of my husband’s government job and my job, and the quality of […]
Alzheimer’s: Preserving Family Memories
Every year, Carol Magro would prepare a delicious Italian feast for the holidays. Five years ago, her daughter Barbara noticed that her mother was getting tired, confused, and didn’t remember the ingredients for some of the dishes that she had prepared for nearly 50 years. A few months later Carol was diagnosed with early stage […]
Caring for a Difficult Parent
Q. Throughout my life, my mother has always been a difficult person. She complains about everything and is hyper-critical, overbearing and, as you can imagine, hard to get along with. She always compares me to my older sister, who is successful and has a big family, and berates me for being overweight and for taking […]
NASA SmartWatch, Implanted Health Devices, and Other New Technology for Seniors
Is Grandpa going gadget-crazy? Not quite yet, but we are getting there. According to a recent Pew Research survey, the number of older adults using the internet and related tech devices is increasing, with 59% of seniors reporting that they go online and 77% of older adults reporting that they have a cell phone. The Pew Research […]
Cool or Spooky? Funerals that Mimic Life
Q. My great aunt, Jane, is not afraid to talk about death. The things she loves most in life, besides family, are the Washington Redskins, playing canasta, and gardening. She often mentions how when she dies, she wants to be wearing her favorite football jersey while playing cards on the small patio next to her […]
Why Plan for Incapacity?
Dear Commander Bun Bun, I read a startling statistic that less than a third of the population has completed Incapacity Planning documents. Why don’t people plan for incapacity and how can my family begin the process? Justin Case — Dear Justin, Thanks for your question about incapacity planning. Reasons people don’t plan for incapacity often […]
Six Myths About Falls
Q. I recently visited my parents, who are in their 70’s, and have been worried ever since. My father, Sam, fell three times during the two days I was there. Often, my mother, Elaine, has lunch out and quilts with her friends, leaving dad home by himself. I questioned my mother about it and she said that falls are a […]
Embracing Green Living as we Age
Q. My mother, Phyllis, is very environmentally conscious. She recycles and finds a creative use for nearly everything. Green living is among her top priorities. Ever since my father died, my mother has had a hard time living alone. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s seven years ago and has trouble speaking, limited mobility, and needs […]
Joan Rivers Death Reminds us to Have End-of-Life Conversation
Q. I am very close with my in-laws, who are both in their late 70’s, and all I want for them (and for everyone I care about) is to live a long happy life. Unfortunately, the inevitable happens to us all, and when it does happen, I really want my entire family to be prepared […]
New PBS Documentary — “The Genius of Marian” — Explores How Alzheimer’s Runs in Families
Pam White and her son, Banker, by Marian Williams Steele. Many people fear that Alzheimer’s disease in the family may be passed on to children and grandchildren. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, research has shown that those who have a parent, brother, sister, or child with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease. Early-onset […]
“Ice Buckets” for Veterans
Veterans Twice as Likely to get ALS Joseph, a military veteran, noticed that he was experiencing tingling and numbness in his limbs. It didn’t take long before it progressed to difficulty walking, poor hand coordination, stumbling, and an increasingly limited range of motion. Joseph was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease because of the baseball player who made it famous. Like Joseph, […]
Helping Seniors and Veterans from Going Hungry
After working for decades and raising four children without government assistance, Carol found herself asking for help feeding herself and her husband, Richard. Faced with health problems that prevent them from working, Carol and Richard struggle to get by on their monthly Social Security check. And like millions of seniors today, by the time they […]
Overcoming Loneliness and Depression
Rest in Peace Robin Williams Q. I was absolutely devastated to hear about Comedian Robin Williams’ suicide. My family is still in shock. I have an uncle who has suffered bouts of depression over the years, and I worry about him frequently, especially since my aunt died last year and now my uncle lives alone. […]
Financial Security for a Special Needs Child
Q. Our 11-year-old son, Nathan, has autism and will likely need care for the rest of his life. This has put quite an emotional and financial strain on my husband and me. My parents, who are wealthy, are willing to help, but we’ve heard it’s not a good idea to put our son in their estate planning documents because it might affect his ability to […]
Is Alzheimer’s in Your Future?
An estimated 44 million people live with Alzheimer’s disease worldwide, and the global economic costs total $604 billion, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International. It is estimated that by 2050, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s could rise to 135 million, impacting healthcare costs and millions of seniors, families, and caregivers around the world. However, great strides […]
Can Being Cynical Cause Dementia?
Q. I am in my mid 60’s and I admit that I am generally quite negative-thinking and cynical. I have constant nagging back pain even though the doctors say there’s nothing wrong with my back. My grandchildren live 1,000 miles away and I never get to see them. My friends and neighbors call me Mr. […]
Nine Things NOT to Say to a Parent of a Special Needs Child
Q. Recently, my friend Anna called and informed me that her 6-year-old son, Jeremy, was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She told me about some of his symptoms, including temper tantrums, outbursts, and the challenges he faces socially and academically. Since I had never experienced it, I honestly didn’t know how to react […]
Better Care Coordination Will Save Tax Payers Billions
After experiencing discomfort, 75-year-old Stan visited his doctor and was ultimately rushed to the hospital and into surgery to remove a blockage from his large intestine. After a short time, he was transferred to a nearby rehabilitation facility for short-term rehabilitation covered by Medicare. During the first week of his stay, he developed a urinary […]
Intergenerational Care and the Magic of Girl Scout Cookies
Q. Five years ago my friend Jennifer, who is 91, met ten-year-old Emma when Emma was selling Girl Scout Cookies door-to-door. Emma never knew her own grandparents, and Jennifer’s family lives 1,000 miles away. They had the most remarkable conversation about art and ballet that day, all while sharing a box of Thin Mints. Ever […]
Honoring Our Veterans: An Underused Benefit
Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday where we take time to remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States military. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May, was formerly known as “Decoration Day” and originated after the American Civil War. On Memorial Day […]
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