Dear Kiwi and Mango, Recently, Mr. Farr wrote an article about a check-in service for seniors to combat loneliness and keep those who are aging in place safe. I was wondering if there are any similar programs specifically for Veterans. Thanks for your help! Buddy Chequer — Dear Buddy, You are correct. Mr. Farr recently […]
Check-in Services to Keep Seniors Who Are Aging in Place Safe
Many of us have loved ones who are aging in place, who may have mobility issues and who are at risk for falls. We may not live nearby, and we may find ourselves staying up at night worrying about what would happen if our loved one had a bad fall or a medical emergency. What […]
Is Artificial Intelligence Revolutionizing Senior Care?
Q. I read somewhere that nine out of 10 seniors would prefer to age in their homes for as long as possible. But isn’t there a shortage of health care professionals and caregivers to provide the care that would be needed for this many people to age in place? Could robotics and artificial intelligence help […]
Is Your Home Safe for a Loved One With Alzheimer’s?
How does someone go about eliminating potential hazards and what changes need to be made to help keep a person with Alzheimer’s safe? A Home Safety Checklist for Living with a Loved One with Alzheimer’s A wide range of safety concerns may arise if you have a loved one that is living with you that […]
How to Enjoy Thanksgiving in a Different Way this Year
Every year, Melissa and her family drive to New Jersey to spend Thanksgiving with her mother, a widow who lives alone. This year, with the kids still playing sports and Melissa and her husband still going into the office occasionally, they thought it would be a bad idea to make the trip and possibly expose […]
What’s Your “Master Plan” As You Get Older?
Q. My wife and I are 59 and 60, respectively, and we recently got to talking about our “master plan” for the future. We haven’t had an in-depth discussion of this sort until now, as we have been focused on other things that are occurring in the present. Another reason is that we have become […]
What New Technology Can Help My Mother Age-in-Place Safely?
Dear Magic, In the past, you’ve published lots of articles on aging-in-place technology. My mother is aging-in-place and I worry about her, since we try not to visit her due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Are there any new technologies we can purchase for her for peace of mind and to help keep her safe, since […]
New Exciting Technology Emerges for Seniors and Caregivers in the 2020’s
Q. I am a caregiver for my 80-year old mother who is in the early stages of dementia. I consider myself to be technologically savvy, but I am not quite sure what is out there that can help me in my role. You used to publish lots of articles on new technologies, but it’s been […]
Can You Still Live Alone if You Have Early-Stage Alzheimer’s?
When Kimberly was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she took it as a devastating blow. She experienced the gamut of emotions anyone would feel after such a shocking discovery about oneself, including shock, denial, and depression. It took Kimberly more than a year to accept what the doctor had said— that she does in fact […]
Four Award-Winning Ideas for Aging-in-Place
Most people want to continue living independently in their own home as they age into their 70s, 80s, and 90s. However, many homes aren’t designed for health issues that can come with getting older, and aging-in-place alone can be lonely and isolating. The Innovation@Home contest was launched to identify best practices for aging-in-place that take […]
Alexandria, VA becomes Fifth Dementia Friendly Community in Virginia
Every day, Nico Bins goes to his favorite newsstand to buy a newspaper. The owner greets him with a smile as he scrambles for change to pay. They make conversation about the escalating cost of newspapers, and then Nico goes about his day and the shopkeeper hers. From a distance, the transaction seems unremarkable. But, […]
Is Home Care Covered by Medicare?
Q. My sister, Betty, is 68 years old and has Parkinson’s disease. Her symptoms include tremors, impaired balance, difficulty walking and talking, anxiety, and confusion, at times. Her limited mobility makes it difficult for her to leave the home for the physical and occupational therapy services that she needs. A skilled nursing facility is not […]
Using Telehealth to Age-in-Place
Dear Ribbit, I am interested in possibly using telehealth instead of visiting the doctor’s office. What are the advantages of doing so? Thanks, Em Helth — Dear Em, Telehealth (sometimes also known as mHealth), is making it easier for seniors to live out their golden years in their homes. Telehealth refers to any form of […]
Aging On-Demand: Options for Seniors and Caregivers
Jan lives in the same townhouse complex as her mother, Sarah. Jan works in D.C. part-time, and visits her mother every evening, bringing her dinner and helping wherever she needs assistance. Jan is fortunate to have the flexibility to work at home a couple times a week, so she can drive her mom to appointments. […]
How You Can Help Prevent Wandering and Wandering-Related Tragedies
Dear Angel, My grandmother, who has dementia, lives with our family. She seems disoriented a lot, and I am afraid she might wander from the house. What are some things we can put in place in our home to stop her from wandering away? Thanks, Wanda Ring —– Dear Wanda, Wandering is a risk associated with […]
Comparing Aging-in-Place vs. Assisted Living
Q. My father passed away last year, and my mother has lived alone ever since. Her colonial-style home is becoming difficult to navigate due to her mobility issues. She has fallen several times and we are worried about her. She would like to continue to live in her home and age-in-place, but some major modifications […]
Exciting New Innovations for Seniors from the M-Enabling Summit
Plant Nanny App The 5th annual M-Enabling Summit was recently held in Arlington, VA, attracting tech innovators from around the world and leaders of the accessibility community. With its theme of “Accessible Technologies and Environments for All,” the 2016 Summit provided a platform for empowering mobile technologies and focused on next-generation innovations and breakthroughs for […]
Home Modifications for Fall Prevention
Dear Angel, We just found out that my father will be moving in with us. He is in his 70’s, has Parkinson’s, arthritis, and is in a wheelchair a lot of the time. We don’t have much money to renovate, but we want to make sure our home is safe and comfortable for him. Also, […]
New Law Helps More People Live Independently
Q. My widowed 82-year-old mother lives in the home she has owned for more than 60 years. She is legally blind, and has severe arthritis and diabetes, but she insists on staying in her home for now. In my opinion, in order for her to remain in her current independent living situation, she really needs […]
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 […]